Intence: ‘Wounded’ EP Album Review

Popular Dancehall star Intence put the microphone up to his dynamic mind on his new 5 track EP, Wounded. The controversial deejay delivered grit, humor and even a one drop reggae banger on the sixteen-minute suite distributed by VP Records. Just a few years into his career, Intence, whose real name is Tashawn Gabbidon, has been a talking point since he burst onto the scene, “antisocial” and unapologetic as ever.

Intence’s debut EP borrows its title from his 2020 single Wounded, the first release after a near-fatal car crash, and continues the convo about his observations, trials, and triumphs.

There’s arguably something for everyone on the EP, with its themes of loyalty, sex, self-exploration, and social commentary. Zimmi Entertainment, Okino “Wav” Thomas and Intence’s father, Stephen “Daddy Axe” Gabbidon, who also dabbled in the industry as an artist and sound system owner, are credited as producers. If the intriguing album cover is any indication, the project is just a peek at the youngster’s range as he navigates fame and life’s realities; as he sings on Nobody Knows, “you see di phases weh me go through.”

The latter is the track most likely to surprise Intence’s longtime fans. Nobody Knows is conscious reggae commentary on a standard rootsy riddim, tackling not only wider society, but his own rise from poverty. Citing icons like Bob Marley and Capleton, Intence wastes no time on the two-minute track, urging today’s youths towards more upright values. Loyal on the other hand is a relentless defense of his day ones: “Ah nuh nuff ah we so from yuh diss one, yuh dis all,” he declares from the get-go.

Things get interesting on Intence vs Tashawn , when the “hype”, hotheaded deejay checks in with the “stronger version” of himself, Tashawn.

The lyrical exchange between the man and his alter-ego goes from concern (“Di hype and di fame ah get to you, confused/ Jus a hope and pray you nuh mek di wrong move”) to humor, (“How you ah tell me loww di badness, now you ah bad me up”), and encouragement (Jus gwaan do yuh ting dawg nuh bodda drop di pace/ Yuh never graduate and ah you ah run di place) as he seamlessly switches his vocals for maximum effect.

Watchya Watchya and Hard Fi Find are the suite’s ladies’ anthems, charting the lustful stages of a relationship all the way through to loss and betrayal. It’s a formula that works for the Kingston native whose similar songs Pikachu, What’s Luv, and Nuh Behaviour are each close to 2M YouTube views.

With no features and a few slick beats on his new EP, Intence keeps the focus on his message and unpredictable flows. Wounded is a window into the deejay’s inventive world where the rules and the rewards are all his own.