Unruly Productions artiste Rohgees has scored his first bona fide hit with the brilliantly delivered 'This Girl'.

The single has been put into major rotation on a number of stations, including IRIE, RJR, HITZ and ZIP FM.

"The response has been phenomenal so far and the video is doing very well since its release a few weeks ago," Rohgees said.

Last week, he underlined his rise as a new fierce voice of reggae music when he performed at Marcus Garvey's 125th birthday celebrations alongside a host of cultural artistes like Sizzla, Turbulence, Capleton among others.

"It was great; I performed at the concert in Skateland at the Eastern Peace Centre out by Windward Road and got a great reaction for How We Living. Afterwards, a number of artistes came up to say they loved my performance, it feels great to be getting that sort of feedback from my peers," he said.

He will be performing in September at a Peace Management Initiative show in the inner city, and a performance at an event put on by cable station MDTV later this year as well.

Rohgees spent his early years in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, developing his vocal skills by singing in church and at community concerts.

Describing his music as having an authentic roots, rock, reggae sound,Rohgees sees himself as an intellectual and, as such, he promises to create material that the world, and not just Jamaica, can accept.

"Most young artistes don't gravitate towards roots-rock music. I stick to the roots, and I feel comfortable doing this style of music because I find that one-drop music is uplifting, it preaches empowerment and education and is also motivational, and my message and philosophy of one-ness reflects all of that,"

According to the artiste, reggae music has diminished in its global popularity, and he believes he has the capacity to bring back authentic reggae music to its former glory.

"I understand the far-reaching impact and influence of reggae and recognise that artistes are role models, and while people listen to your music for inspiration and motivation, they also look to you for leadership and a positive attitude to emulate. So I am always mindful of my message - it has to be something I would feel comfortable with someone else singing to my children," he said. After inking a deal with Portmore-based record label Unruly Productions, he released a new LP, The Trod, which carries seven melodious tracks.

"The reviews have been great; is not just cultural fans who love it, is fans from all, 'bout who love all sorts of different types of music - church people, elderly and young, they love that sound, it speaks to that authentic sound that the older fans are used to reggae-wise," he said.

The compilation features songs such as Be Careful, the aforementioned This Girl and Teach Di Youths, which are all enjoying steady rotation locally. He names his influences as foundation artistes Joseph Hill and the Wailers, Bob Marley and in more recent times, Lutan Fyah and Sizzla.

"I want to carry on in their tradition," he said.