Utilising his razor-sharp wit, catchy melodies and brilliant head-bopping production to craft conscious messages for the frustrated masses, Iba is one of the most compelling artistes on the circuit today, as evidenced by a string of new singles such as Born Free and Sound the Alarm. And the reggae world has already begun to sit up and pay attention. Ever since performing on Reggae Sumfest in July and the release of the hit single, Will I Wait?, produced by Born Rollin Productions, Iba Mahr has become a fixture on both radio and TV. He has a virtual hammerlock on the number one spot on the Stampede Streets Chart for more than five weeks, and jumped to # 8 on Suzie Q's Video Alley Countdown. The song has also made a strong entry on Richie B's Reggae Countdown charts.

After striking all the right notes to blaze a fire at Plug N Play inside the Wyndham Kingston hotel, and again at the Manifesto concert at the School of Music, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, word quickly spread that a new force is rising in the world of reggae.He has performed at shows such as An Evening of Gold, in front of Jamaican Olympian stars Shelly-ann Fraser Price, Bridgitte Foster-Hilton, Christine Day, and Asafa Powell as Iba Mahr represented for his alumni, Charlemont High School. All the hype was confirmed when he thrilled a large audience at Reggae Feverin late November.

Sharing the stage with the likes of big established acts Bounty Killer, Capleton, Romain Virgo, I Octane, Fantan Mojah and Kiprich, a humbleIba Mahr was at his brilliant best, delivering an incendiary performance peppered with chart-burners like Born Free and capping a much-talked-about stint with the enigmatic Will I Wait? that had fans calling for a third encore.

The young talent who hails from Linstead has become somewhat of an underground phenomenon especially for web-surfing reggae fans as his YouTube hits have jumped almost threefold in recent weeks. The singer's most recent single is Burning, produced by Notice Productions on the Heart and Soul riddim which also features, Jah Cure, Chuck Fenda, Hezron, Chris Martin and many others.

His management team are planning to shoot a video for the project as well.

organic full-length debut

In the meantime, fans are eagerly anticipating his impressive, organic full-length debut which will be released in 2012. "I am currently working on my debut album that will be ready for early next year, so we spend extended hours in the studio working on tracks," Iba Mahr said.

He is already booked for next year's Rebel Salute and Western Consciousness shows. For the Christmas season, reggae fans can see him rocking GT Taylor's Christmas Xtravaganza on December 25 and when he performs on December 26 at Sting 2011, it will be clear if he is ready to take the next step on his career path.

"Reggae fans can look out for a conscious message at Sting and GT Taylor Xtravaganza, ah just love and righteousness mi a represent, 2012 will be my year to show what I can do," he said.

One thing is certain, given the chart success of Will I Wait?, Iba Mahr will not have to "wait in vain" for the love of reggae fans.