Marketing guru and reggae recording artiste Contractor said he feels honoured after a recent interview with Billboard Magazine's Caribbean correspondent Patricia Meschino, about the state of Jamaican music, his own music career and his recent successes in promoting record labels Downsound Records and Canada-based SQ Records.

The interview, which took place on July 22 in New York, will be published in the magazine's September-October issue.

Billboard Magazine is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains and highlights several internationally recognised music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various genres on a weekly basis.

The interview went in-depth about many issues, ranging from Jamaica's state in music to the sudden burst of Downsound recording artistes Khago, Specialist and Nature, all of which are credited to the efforts of his works. He was also asked about his single titled Pain, which features Capleton and Bobby Zorro.

Contractor, real name Anthony Edwards, said he believes reggae music still has a strong presence internationally.

"The interview was very interesting. We spoke about a lot of important stuff about Jamaican music. From this, I know reggae music is still very much relevant on the international market. I feel really honoured to be interviewed by such a prestigious magazine," Contractor said.

Meschino, who also contributes stories to The Associated Press, Dutch-based Red Bulletin and Sandals Lifestyle Magazine, among others, said she found it very interesting interviewing Contractor and has always admired his work as a marketing guru.

"It was a pleasure interviewing Contractor. His marketing with Downsound and other labels is exemplary," she said.