5 Questions With IWaata

Dancehall artiste Jason ‘IWaata’ Bailey, who continues to make his mark with his sharp-edged delivery and a sound that is described as “moving between raw energy and catchy, crowd-ready hooks”, recently signed a new management deal with Tameka Reynolds of Reynolds Entertainment Agency.

“The move reflects a step toward more structured management as IWaata develops his brand both locally and internationally,” Reynolds stated, noting that the agency will be responsible for all aspects of the artiste’s career.

The music which IWaata releases can be categorised as modern dancehall, but he readily admits that it is the original 1990s and 2000s dancehall that energises him and is sprinkled throughout his ever-growing catalogue.

Young Jason started experimenting with music at Mona Primary School, where he played the kette drums. His bio states that IWaata recorded his first official song in 2007 when he started high school, but waited until he left in 2011 to devote himself fully to music. His journey took him to Portmore to live with his aunt, where he linked with adults in a group called NTP and began to experiment more with studio recordings.

In terms of family life, the artiste sings the praises of his mother. He grew up with his mother, grandmother, and brother.

“My mom is my everything. My mother is very important inna mi life. I used to help her sell a Half-Way Tree. Those things give you the drive to go for what you want,” he said.

Among his hit songs are Clip Tall, Likkle London, Bad Inna Bed, Bout Yah, Cut Off Jeans and the street banger Tun di Ada Way, which has racked up close to seven million views on YouTube.

An essential part of his appeal is that he has kept his focus on the music itself and has steadily built his reputation as one of the most versatile voices to have emerged in the dancehall game.

Last Saturday, 5 Questions With ... had a chat with IWaata, who was one of the invited guests atONErpm’s ‘Thank You’ celebration at The Courtyard at Ranny Williams Centre on Hope Road, St Andrew.

1. When did you start taking an interest in music?

I’m from Kintyre and there was like a musical environment, a whole heap a artiste forward from roun’ deh. But my interest in music really started from primary school where I used to play drums. Then, when I attended Papine High, I started write songs from first form. I used to play football and dem tings deh, ‘cause yuh done know wi grow rough.

2. In Jamaica, we refer to tears as ‘eye water’ . How did you get your name?

I used to have a tree in my yard and, whenever it blossomed, it irritated my eyes ... dem get red like blood so my grandfather used to say ‘eye wata’. So, growing into music, I was searching for a name and I decided to take the nickname my grandfather gave me. I changed the spelling to IWaata and the rest, as they say, is history.

3. What have you been up to recently?

Well, we in and out of the country. We drop a new album last year August and we drop a new EP in February, a reggae EP, and we have a song that a gwaan now. The song name Join Up, the album name Underrated and it has 18 tracks. The EP name Words Not Enough and it has seven songs. That’s how it go, we always a work ... hits after hits.

4. You are a huge fan of ‘90s dancehall and credit Aidonia as a major influence in your career. Was music the right choice, and are you enjoying this journey?

Aidonia was my idol, that’s how I get my sound because I always like how him handle beats and stage. Music is the right choice. I never choose music, it chose me. From a tender age me a beat drum and now I can play other instruments and even be my own engineer. I dwell inna the music deep. I get encouragement 1000 per cent from my family. They are musicians too, dem just never get the break that I got. Wherever I go, I represent fully for dancehall. Just like how we get invited from atONErpm directly and we haffi show up. It is important for me to represent in these spaces. A nuh carpentry we do, we do music, and this is a music function where music players come and socialise.

5. In terms of live performances, what do you have lined up?

I have a Caribbean tour and an England tour coming up this year. But, in terms of shows throughout the year, I have a huge fan base in the US, so the shows from over there are consistent.

BRAWTA

Name one thing that you are grateful for since the start of 2026.

Well, every year me get a hit song, and this year mi get one already– Join Up. And mi haffi big up Fada God, because it coulda worse. Mi can tek care a mi family every day and every year and that is the important part ... . Also, I have a message for up-and-coming artistes: Stay focused, believe inna God and stick to the plan.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com