Gangsta Ras still on fire

Munga Honorable has never been one to follow the crowd. From storming onto the scene with his breakout anthem ' Bad From Mi Born', to boldly branding himself the 'Gangsta Ras', the dancehall mainstay has built a career on reinvention, while never letting go of his authentic edge.

"Dancehall and every other genre of music shifts with the times, the sounds and the preferences of the generations. It's natural. I've known this fact, and have and will continue to adapt and grow as required to survive," Munga Honorable said.

That fearless approach to change is on full display in his latest track, Dem Vibe Yah, featured on Dutty Rock Productions' 'Moroccan Gold' rhythm. The single is a powerful reminder of Munga Honorable's gift for pairing razor-sharp lyrics with pulsating, modern beats that demand attention.

When asked what drew him to the project, he said the connection came naturally.

"Fellow dancehall artiste Chi Ching Ching and Dutty Rock producer News made the initial link and told me Sean [Paul] wanted to record me on the riddim," he explained. "The track itself was born out of pure energy...just the vibe and the beat."

The project features 12 tracks featuring several dancehall hitmakers, including Chi Ching Ching, Spice, IWaata, Bayka, Looga Man, Bounty Killer and of course, the label's head honcho, Sean Paul.

Munga Honorable's Dem Vibe Yah carries a celebratory tone, commanding audiences to live in the moment and embrace positivity. For Munga Honorable, the takeaway is simple: "Just what the lyrics says...a dem vibe yah we want."

This is one chapter in the dancehall star's current streak of releases. Munga Honorable has been busy flooding the streets and digital platforms with fresh music, including Daily, Rich Behaviour and Own Style.

Earlier this year, in February, he also released G.R.E.A.T., a 15-track album spotlighting his signature blend of dancehall and reggae. The title, an acronym for Gangsta Ras Entrepreneur Artistic Tenacity, speaks to Munga Honorable's multifaceted endeavours and enduring legacy.

The question of how he balances promotion across so many singles doesn't concern him much.

"How do I ensure each track gets equal promotion and attention from the reggae-dancehall audience? I don't think people - artistes doing what they love - can control what people pay attention to. I just do music," he said matter-of-factly.

That relaxed confidence comes only with experience. With nearly two decades in the industry, Munga Honorable has witnessed dancehall, as well as the dancehall listenership, evolve with shifting styles and generational trends. Rather than resist, he embraces the change.

The Moroccan Gold rhythm also stirred curiosity about a possible new collaboration with Sean Paul. Munga Honorable says it is a possibility worth leaving to the future.

"We have collaborated before on Got It Made some years ago, so who knows what the future holds," he said.

Legacy , for Munga Honorable, is less about chasing trends and more about consistency, growth, and delivering music that resonates with whichever era he finds himself in. With Dem Vibe Yah and his steady stream of releases, Munga Honorable proves he is not only part of dancehall's past, but firmly in its present - and still shaping its future.