Jordane Delahaye, Gleaner Writer

Major Lazer is renowned throughout the world as one of the leading house/fusion music brands and particularly in Jamaica for its collaborations with artistes like Vybz Kartel and Busy Signal.

Today, the internationally acclaimed group will be hosting a rave to end all raves at the University of The West Indies (Mona) Students Union centre.

According to Major Lazer's Walshy Fire, the venue was chosen because of the audience that the group is targeting.

"A lot of people ask, 'Why student union?' But a deh so the mad people dem deh. When I found out it was the first day of school, that made it even better," the DJ/producer said.

The DJ expressed that he believed students were more open minded listeners as they were exposed to a lot of different cultures.

Walshy Fire also lauded the university, the students union, and the promoters for giving the group free rein to make the concert as 'crazy' as they wanted it to truly embody the "madness that is Major Lazer".

Major Lazer was started by renowned DJ/producer Diplo, who Walshy Fire describes as a genius, copping his third Grammy nomination this year for Producer of the Year.

From the get-go, the ace producer has shown great interest in Jamaican music and has worked with a slew of Jamaican artistes. Major Lazer's very first album was recorded in Jamaica at Tuff Gong Studios and featured Busy Signal, Vybz Kartel, Ward 21, Mr Vegas, Turbulence, T.O.K. and Leftside, along with a slew of international acts.

The group recently shot a music video here in Jamaica for its single Buyame (Watch Out Fi Dis), which features dancehall artiste Busy Signal. The video was shot by director Jay Will and is said to portray the best of '90s styling and dancing.

Currently, Major Lazer is made up of Diplo, Walshy Fire and Jillionaire, and the trio will all be present at the concert later on this evening.

Walshy Fire is probably better known for being part of the Black Chiney family. The DJ explained that he only recently joined Major Lazer through faith and friendship as the MC before him became a Christian and Diplo unexpectedly asked him to step in.

Great opportunity

"I'm still with Black Chiney. Black Chiney is my sound. But Major Lazer has been good for me because after so many years of doing dancehall and hip hop with Black Chiney, it presented a great opportunity to just do something different and contemporary," Walshy Fire told The Gleaner.

The group has travelled the world perfecting its craft, and according to Walshy Fire, exposing him to places that he didn't even know enjoyed reggae music and reggae-fusion.

"As I've always said, with Major Lazer, I've been able to make the world smaller by making the party bigger," the DJ told The Gleaner.

Walshy Fire revealed that Major Lazer is looking to work with a lot more young and upcoming Jamaican artistes such as Cali P, OMI, Kabaka Pyramid and to continue developing young talent.

Most recently, Major Lazer has worked with reggae's fast-rising artiste Chronixx for his 'Start a Fire' mixtape which Walshy Fire revealed he worked on for six months as he wanted to make it the best thing to hit the streets in a long time.

Major Lazer's latest album is slated for a February release, and the group will be busy throughout the rest of the year with a long list of tour dates.

Before all of that, however, the group will be kicking things off at the UWI Students Union. Walshy Fire is pleading with patrons to not come "dressed up" as the concert will be a full-on rave.

"Find an old pair of shoes and some old clothes because it's going to be crazy! And most importantly, come with an open mind and ready to sweat," the DJ implored.