Long considered the music industry’s most fertile period, summer is when record companies flood the market with albums and songs. While he has no major label backing, Sone G has great expectations for ‘New Man’, his EP.

The seven-song package is scheduled for release in July. ‘Find A Way’, its lead single, was released in March; that song is a collaboration between Sone G and fellow gospel artiste, DaJourney.

Based in Toronto, Sone G blends secular elements such as dancehall-reggae into his inspirational songs. He describes ‘New Man’ as his most rounded effort to date.

“This project is truly a gem. I knew I had something special after the Lord began to deposit these song in my spirit. Everything was confirmed and solidified after going on fasting and really getting to know what the Lords leading was for the project. Many of my friends in the reggae and gospel community are raving about the project, saying it’s Grammy-worthy,” he said.

Sone G wrote the reflective ‘Find A Way’ after a heartfelt discussion with a friend who was experiencing personal challenges. The song encourages persons to seek God in their darkest moments.

DaJourney, another Canada-based act, was brought in to drive home that resilient message. He and Sone G won a Sterling Gospel Music Award in 2023 for the song, ‘Sweet Eeh’.

Joey 2 Kool produced three of the songs on ‘New Man’, while DaJourney did similar duties for one track. He is featured on three songs.

A native of Rocky Point in Clarendon parish, Sone G was exposed to that seafaring community’s robust dancehall scene from early. His grandmother operated a sound system which attracted some of that genre’s biggest names.

Although he no longer lives there, Cocoa Tea is arguably Rocky Point’s most famous citizen. His songs, like ‘I Lost my Sonia’, ‘Rocking Dolly’ and ‘Lonesome Side’, helped draw dancehall fans to his hometown and wider Clarendon during the 1980s.

No Jamaican gospel artiste has ever been nominated for a Grammy Award. Sone G credits collaborating with creative minds for producing a project that may impress judges at music’s biggest spectacle.

“Working with Joey is amazing professionalism, (in terms of) work ethic the man is on point. DaJourney mixed and mastered the song, and those guys working together is like an all-star team, so I was very grateful,” he said.

(Photo contributed)