Cunnie Budd - contributed

Portmore, over the years, has seen the rise and fall of several artistes, but now it seems the time is right for another talented young man Oneal 'Cunnie Budd' Bullah from the Daytona community.

Cunnie Budd, who was born in Trelawny, has chosen music as his number one priority. He cherishes the cultural aspect of reggae/dancehall music.

Being in the music business for more than 16 years, Cunnie Budd has been inspired by several persons including Beres Hammond, who has been his role model.

The Weekend Star: What do you bring to your audience?

Cunnie Budd: I have teaching, charisma, humour, because it takes enjoyment to make everything work, and apart from all of this we have rules, where we teach our younger generation to be a better person for the future.

The Weekend Star: You're in the music business so long, what do you think of dancehall music versus reggae.

Cunnie Budd: Dance is a music, it has energy to build any form of ideas, whether good or bad, depends on what an artiste portrays, or projects in the lyrics. Throughout the dancehall field it has broken down, because dancehall wasn't like this. So I feel dancehall music has lost its touch, personally.

The Weekend Star: So that is why you chose reggae and not dancehall?

Cunnie Budd: I do dancehall, conscious dancehall. But the reason why I go reggae is that dancehall is always a quick thing, something you grasp, something with an energy only last for the club. But reggae, only a few people understand the quality of reggae, and do it because they know it last throughout life, like Bob Marley for instance.

The Weekend Star: You said you have performed with Beres, have you been on any overseas tours?

Cunnie Budd: Yes, but not with Beres. I have been on overseas tours solo, opening shows for Little Hero, Mr Perfect, and Luciano.

The Weekend Star: You have done a lot of songs, what's your favourite.

Cunnie Budd: Jah Bless(http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jah-bless-single/id497160076), it's a late one, but I think it's the best one I ever do in my career. It's being aired now for the past six weeks on local radio stations.

The singer said that despite not having a manager he is now taking his career to new heights with his conscious lyrics.