Interview: I-Octane Says He Just Released His Best Album Yet

Reggae and Dancehall star I-Octane, who’s known for hits like Wine and Jiggle, L.O.V.E  Y.O.U., Gal A Gimme Bun, and Cyaa Do It with Gaza Slim, is confident that his fifth studio album I AM GREAT is his best work yet.  “I’m planning to do one album per year from now on,” Octane told DancheallMag when we caught up with him at the end of a long day — part of which was spent at the dentist with one of his children. 

The album was released today (March 18) under his own Conquer the Globe Productions and follows his previous sets: Crying to The Nation (2012), My Journey (2014), Love And Life (2018), and Moods (2021).

With his friend and Billboard hitmaker Troy “Troyton Music” Hinds as executive producer, I-Octane takes on some serious topics in the new 15 track project, as is apparent from song titles such as Rise Above, Black Skin, Self Made, and Change My Life.  “The dancehall side is more about entertainment while the reggae side is more social commentary so it’s like the depths of my soul. It’s more serious. This (album) is more commentary. It’s more the root of my soul,” he explained.

Shot in Miami, the visuals for the first single Sorry  features I-Octane giving a vulnerable apology to all those he may have wronged with lyrics like, ‘mi realise me burn bridges wey mi need inno / but confession ah di beginning of healing’.

Though he may be taking accountability for his wrongs on Sorry, this doesn’t mean the artist hasn’t done a lot of good. Recently, he received the Humanitarian Award from the Jamaica International Music Awards 2022 where he joked that he was more likely to get media attention from his relationship problems than the good he actually does. He currently funds a ‘non-traditional job’ school tour that teaches children about the importance of thinking outside the box when it comes to careers.

According to Octane, “I’ve taken care of thousands of families. The crime rate is high in Jamaica and if I wasn’t around it would have been higher than that. I’ve converted a lot of youth like ‘yo change up your life’. Once they come in contact with me their perspective changes. I’ve gone amongst some of the most gruesome individuals and never lost my identity. So my calling is different.” 

The artist, whose real name is Byiome Muir, reasoned with us about music, life and his new album.

Why choose the title, ‘I AM GREAT’

It’s something I say to myself everyday. So I just used it. People like to seek validation. I don’t need any individual on earth to tell me I’m great. I know I’m great.

What is your usual creative process?

It depends. I don’t really write down songs. I’m a brilliant person but I write like a pharmacist. I do read a lot and invest in literature so when I’m in the studio, I just put the headphones on and whatever idea comes I  start singing. 

So what books have influenced you?

Art of War, 48 Laws of Power, The Wise Mind of Haile Selassie I. Proverbs is a witty book in the Bible and I like to read Psalms cause it teaches you how to pray. People don’t really understand the techniques of prayer. 

Your daughter Ashiek Muir (Octavia), who at 12 is also releasing music, is featured on the album as a writer and a producer. How did that come about?

She is a very good writer. She had some ideas and just said ‘listen to this’ and I said ‘ok.. alright’ and then I finished it. All the songs that she participated in… she had the idea and some of the melodies already in her head. 

You and Troyton have been working together for a while, what makes you maintain the relationship?

He’s an individual that tells you the truth and I like that.

How did you come up with the video concept for ‘Sorry’

The concept was Troyton’s. I’m not someone who attends church like that because though I believe in Christ, I don’t believe in how they portray the things that have been done in the name of Jesus. Troyton had this idea from before and he said, “the Almighty can take praise everywhere,” and I liked that concept- that the Creator can be praised everywhere.

You said previously that ‘Sorry’ allows you to speak your truth. What is your truth?

Sorry is a word we should exercise more and mean it. Star-life is a blessing and also allows you to take advantage or disadvantage other people- indirectly or directly. It comes with a lot of pros and cons. When you deal with the pros it’s good but the cons are always there too so you have to make sure you realize these things and try your best.

Any personal favorites on the album

Rise Above, I love that song.

In a 15- track album, why only one feature?

I believe in self-reliance. I didn’t necessarily need a lot of current but there were to be two or three collabs. Sorry was supposed to be a collaboration with Chronic Law or Mavado but it never worked out because of the time frame. Loyalty was supposed to have a featured artist as well.

So, how did the Rygin King collaboration come about? 

Rygin is my brother. Paranoid came after the album was basically finished. We linked and the vibe was there so it got added to the album. Originally, Rise Above was supposed to be with him and that one didn’t work out. 

What’s the next single set for a video release?

Paranoid ft. Rygin King is next, after that we may let the people decide. 

What’s the ultimate goal for I Am Great?

I just want it to chart in every human being’s heart. 

Since the Love and Life Album, you’ve been producing under ‘Conquer the Globe’. Tell us about having your own company.

I’m doing music and I am not waiting on any producer or engineer. When I had just come out I was in a dependent state where producers helped me bring out my talent but the reason a lot of great artists just disappear is because they never ‘fix dem brain’. Some producers voice them for years and then stop. If the producer stops voicing you, nobody hears you anymore. When you have your own… I can open my studio and sing ten songs if I want. I can call all the distribution labels and link them directly.

In your humanitarian award speech, you said, ‘be competitive but be clean with it,’ Dancehall/Reggae is continuing to gain recognition, do you see that as a result of competitiveness or working together?

We never work together (laughs). Only for a period of time. Too much ego. 

Name one reggae artist (living or dead) you would love to hold a reasoning with?

Garnet Silk

Are there any promo tours we can look forward to?

The launch event is on 19th March. I have another show at the end of that month and then everything starts from the month of April. We’re arranging three other US cities and then Canada on April 30th.

And after that? What does the rest of the year have for I Octane? 

Just I Octane to the third power (he says with confidence).