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 , home to , 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, , and , 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, , 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 , , and . 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