Fhya Blacks - contributed

Sound-system selector Fhya Blacks is excited about his first overseas engagement, after 19 years in the business, entertaining music lovers islandwide.

Fhya Black is slated for a short stint in the Caribbean. "Bonafidely, I have some shows in the Caribbean coming up this year. I am eagerly awaiting as this will be my very first time playing outside of Jamaica," Fhya Blacks disclosed.

After doing well, especially in the Kingston 20 communities where his popularity has grown largely among females for his high-level energy delivery as a selector, "The demand is now there for me after 19 years in the business. I am getting good response towards the delivery of songs. It doesn't matter the occasion, I know how to play for any crowd," he boasted.

Since under the management of Patrick Roberts-manage Shocking Vibes Production, Fhya Blacks pointed out he is now able to concentrate on his job as a selector as Shocking Vibes has been handling the business aspect efficiently.

"From town to country, in every parish I have worked, it has been tremendous response. I am just anticipating the overseas assignments as that is where I need to put out more work," Fhya Blacks emphasised.

Fhya Blacks said he started playing in the downtown area, but things got tough there and he moved to Kingston 20.

"Mi nuh try to play like any other selector, Mi just do mi things by creating the right vibe for the occasion and entertaining the people. I love the more soothing music.

"I feel that many selectors lose their sanity when playing music as they use a lot of profanity to ignite the crowd. That is not my style. I like to play music that is not bashing anyone or group of people," he noted.

"I am a lover of soul. I lock the growing Soul to Soul party, held on Sunday on West Main Drive in the Maverley community, and that event is going every year since it started a year ago. When you can relax a party and be in control for the people, that speaks well for a selector," he emphasised.

"Honestly, I feel that knowing the history of music is very important for any selector. Nowadays music is easier to play. Most of the young people at dances are just working with the shortened version of the songs, so I have to find the right balance."

"Music is a a part of my life, although I work during the day, but I have not given up on music. I want to see my way from music now. A long time me ready but I couldn't do it myself. It is very competitive, but I am going to make it without the use of explicits, like what others do," he confidently stated.