Hailing from Spanish Town, Jamaica, CK is reggae’s newest artist poised to breakthrough into mainstream America.  Decades of reggae tradition have filtered into this new artist’s music through his collaborations with the late Dennis Brown, the crown prince of reggae and one of Bob Marley’s favorite singers; and Shabba Ranks, the most popular Jamaican dancehall artists of his generation as well as one of the first Jamaican deejays to gain worldwide acceptance.

As Kwality Entertainment’s premiere artist, CK is preparing his debut album titled “Mental Music” with the lead single “Sand to the Beach.” Sixshot spoke with the rising talent about “mental music,” his energetic performance style, his struggles in the industry, why competition is keeping reggae music stagnant, and more.

You describe your music as mental music which is about stepping outside of traditional boundaries.  What traditional boundaries are you hoping step beyond?

I'm trying to break as many boundaries as possible. I'm trying to create a new genre of music, which is mental music.
 
Is there one in particular?

I'm trying to basically top Michael Jackson—that's my goal.  It's a high standard but that's where I'm looking to take it.

How do you think yo u’ll be able to do that?

By doing exactly what I'm doing; being myself and making the music that feels good to me.  As long as I'm genuine with what I do; it will happen.
 
I hear that you have a very wild performance style with acrobatic dance moves and all.  How did you develop this live performance skill?

It stemmed from being in the music industry for so long. You go through different things in life and learn different things. The music simply guides you and you just start to dance. It's all natural.

On your MySpace page you wrote that you’ve been through rain, snow, and mud, etc.  Tell us about your journey to make it in the industry.  What struggles did you go through?

The challenges that I faced were everyday life struggles; just trying to balance life and following your dreams and pursuing your goals. It's hard to do that when you don't have the finances for it.  While pursuing music, I dealt with negative people, who weren't really looking out for my best interests. Often I'd deal with companies and create different albums to try and make it.  I remember how it was even a struggle back then trying to get to a show on time. Looking back there has been a lot of ups and downs. But now everything is falling through on a positive note.
 
Is there one challenge in particular that stands out?

To be an entertainer and an artist—to be recognized for what I do.
 
Many artists go through different stages in their evolutionary process.  Did you go though any musical or image changes prior to arriving at the sound and look you have now?

I went through a lot of changes both personally and professionally, that has helped me grow as an artist. As I grow my music also grows. Image wise, I'd say that I'm on my third or fourth change.

You moved to Brooklyn at six where there is a rich Caribbean legacy.  How did that environment influence you and your sound?

Well I actually moved to Brooklyn when I was six years old from Jamaica. In Brooklyn the culture is just different from Jamaican culture. There are also more Black people and West Indian people that work and live there. Living in various places in Brooklyn definitely influenced me. I have a wide variety of people that I'm around. It's great.
 
In some parts of the U.S. African-Americans are prejudice toward those from the Caribbean.  In your upbringing in the U.S. did you experience some of that prejudice?

No. I haven't really experienced that kind of racism.  What I have experienced is how some Jamaican artists feel like an American artist is not a true Jamaican artist.  They see them in a whole different light.

Often with reggae artists they get a couple of mainstream or global hits and then fall by the wayside in the U.S market since it’s so fickle. What do you think of that situation?

People will always be fickle. And music is evolutionary.  It's always going to evolve.  And sometimes it doesn't always change for the better, but it depends on how people look at it and appreciate it.  I don't see a problem that's just how the music market is.

Do you think there’s enough of a mainstream embrace for reggae artists in the U.S.?

Yeah I believe it's there.  It's not always recognized but I believe it's still there.

Some say reggae music has been pretty stagnant recently and not evolving as much.  Do you agree?

I'm looking to bring more dancehall to America and let them see what it's really like.  At the same time in America, dancehall music is a give-and-take.  I'm trying to blend the two different types and let everything grow and evolve from there. But the problem with reggae music and why it's been stagnant is that there's always competition and downing each other as artists. There's too much fighting each other to try to get to the top. I feel like that's not even necessary and if everybody worked towards a new goal; to just make music. That's what we do best.  Jamaica is a very creative country.  I feel like we need to just embrace that more.

You’re gonna love me because…

I'm me. I'm a genuine artist that will make music that speaks to you. I'm CK.

For more information please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/theofficialck
http://www.blastro.com/player/cksandtothebeach.html