Singer Irie is Having a Breakout Year After Releasing "Chatty Chatty" and Performing at Reggae Sumfest

It’s been a good year for Singer Irie. Heading into 2024, his song Chatty Chatty (with deejay Peter Metro) did well in tri-state dancehall circles, and earned him a spot on Rebel Salute in Jamaica last January.

On July 20, he performed at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay. Like Rebel Salute, it was his first appearance at the annual event.

“My first time on Sumfest was awesome and very exciting because it is one of the biggest shows, if not the biggest in Jamaica. Plus, it was the night that all the biggest acts was on … Babyface, Beres Hammond,” said Singer Irie. “I was on stage with four of the foundation dancehall artists from ‘80s to ‘90s like Peter Metro, Anthony Malvo, Wickerman and Daddy Lizard. The crowd was amazing,  giving us so much love.”

The New Jersey-based artist has been recording music since the 1980s, and has done songs for stalwart producers such as Winston “Niney” Holness, Sugar Minott and Philip “Fatis” Burrell.

Performing at the two biggest events in Jamaica, Singer Irie noted, is a shot in the arm for his career which is guided by manager Joann Bain.

“Being at Rebel Salute and Sumfest in the same year is amazing, ‘cause everyone sees me as one of the biggest artists locally and internationally. I am just getting shows and recording like I am the most wanted person alive,” he said.

Singer Irie previously recorded as Patrick Irie. He is from Waterhouse, a rugged Kingston community that has produced acts like Grammy winners Black Uhuru, Junior Reid, Wayne “Sleng Teng” Smith and producer Lloyd “King Jammy” James.