AMERICAN-based dreadlocked singjay L. Razor is currently on a musical high. His recently released track, Tired a the Mockery — produced on his Straight Hits label — had debuted at number five on the Hype TV charts.

While he is elated at that achievement, he feels the music industry is being hampered by illicit activities.

L. RAZOR… emerged on the dancehall/reggae scene in 2008

“What I would love to see in the music business is that selectors and radio/TV personalities play music based on the quality of the content and not necessarily because of a payola system. This way talented artists like myself can get an avenue to highlight our music,” he said.

L. Razor — whose real name is Sheldon Thomas — emerged on the dancehall/reggae scene in 2008 with Buss it pon dem. He followed up with Dem Caa.

“I knew from my days at St Jago High that I wanted a career in music so I took I few years to observe and gained enough knowledge about the industry. I do believe it takes time a lot of time, sweat, blood, and tears if the aim is to produce quality and lasting music,” he said.

In his late 20s, L. Razor currently calls Los Angeles home and is the CEO of the Straight Hit Records to which up-and-coming acts Barbeedoll and Doncormz are signed.

“My aim is not only to record and release singles. I want to be well-rounded musically hence came my record label. My label is like a unversity we dont just record; we mentor and nurture our artists musically,” he said.

The artist who boasts sharing stage with dancehall acts like Vybz Kartel, Supercat and Assasin said he is busy in the recording studios working on a host of singles to be released later this year.