Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Left: Jai performing at the 2005 Genesis Festival.   Right: Jai (left) and Raddik perform as part of the Katalys Krew at this year's Fun in the Son Festival at Hope Gardens, St. Andrew. - File photos

If Wayne 'Jai' Buchanan looks familiar it may be because he was once lead singer of the popular gospel group, Katalys Crew. For some time, though, Jai has been singing on his own.

Jai's contract with Katalys Crew expired in February, with the option of him signing a new five-year contract with the group, or venturing out on his own. He chose the latter. "It has not been hard. Jai was coming out and that's where my heart was," he said.

Jai grew up in the volatile August Town community without a father, but he still had something good going for him, as he discovered his singing talent. He became a Christian at 12 years old and that put an end to singing secular songs for his area's sound system, Triple Star.

Jai became involved with a few minor bands then, as fate would have it, he crossed paths with producer Clifton 'Johnny' Clarke. The producer wanted to pair Jai up with Ryan Berry, but that fell through as Berry subsequently joined the Papa San camp as back-up singer. "I had two options: I could give up or try doing it alone. But I was never left alone," Jai said.

The name 'Jai' came out of Buchanan's realisation that his deity was ever present and that made everything easier. Jai is the acronym for 'Jesus and I'.

Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin came to to Jamaica for the Hopeville Tour, on which Katalys was scheduled to play. They decided to add two singers, Jai and Raddik, and became the Katalys Crew. Jai had previously recorded Can't Take My Lord and it also became a hit for Katalys Crew.

His quest

Now that Jai is no longer with Katalys, the quest is to become a major solo artiste. "It's not difficult, since I was already in the arena. I am here to highlight the Kingdom of God, not to tear it down. I am anointed to bring forth the word of God through music," he said.

When asked why he uses Jah in his songs, Jai quoted Psalm 68, verse four, which reads "Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him."

Jai has hopes of travelling the world on promotional tours for his upcoming album, All I Need, with Love, When I Shout Jah and Best Friend being some of his current singles. He also sees a record label in his future.

And regardless of the criticisms of his style of music, he said "It has to be relevant to the people so that they can't look left or right, but straight ahead."