I-Octane

Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist I-Octane made a name for himself with his own brand of conscious reggae. Debuting in 2005, I-Octane went on to release a slew of singles and albums -- including 2012's Crying to the Nation, 2018's Love & Life, and 2022's I Am Great -- while bringing together a mix of roots reggae, dancehall, lovers rock, and hip-hop. Born and raised in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, I-Octane (aka Byiome Muir) attended local schools and colleges before deciding to focus on music full-time at the age of 16. In 2000, he signed a deal with Penthouse Records, home to Buju Banton, under the name Richie Rich. After issuing a handful of dancehall tracks, he eventually changed his name to I-Octane in 2005. He released singles on labels such as Rated R, Purple Skunk, and Arrows Records, with tracks such as "Stab Vampire" and "Mama Alone" topping the Jamaican charts. Known for his mix of conscious lyrics, inspired by his own personal experiences and Rastafarian teachings, I-Octane also successfully managed to create an accessible mix of dancehall, roots, and lovers rock. In 2011, he started his own label, Conquer the Globe Productions, which issued his debut album, Crying to the Nation, in 2012. Following its success, he headed out on tour across the U.S., Europe, and Canada in support. I-Octane's sophomore album, My Journey, arrived two years later, and he continued to issue singles in the run-up to 2018's Love & Life. He executive produced the album, which also saw him collaborating with Shaggy, Romain Virgo, and Demarco. The ever-prolific I-Octane continued to deliver singles before releasing his fourth album, 2021's Moods. His fifth LP, I Am Great, arrived a year later in early 2022. ~ Rich Wilson, Rovi