The last 15 years has seen an eruption of graduates from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Jamaica’s version of Julliard. One of them is singer Av&nte.
Recently, he released the song Pleasure With Pain, a risqué number produced by Ireland Records, an independent company based in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital. It is a departure from his previous song, Day & Age, a rootsy number also produced by Ireland Records, that came out in 2019.
Av&nte admits he prefers the live feel of traditional reggae, but knows the importance of appealing to his contemporaries. Hence, the drive to record dancehall singles like Pleasure With Pain.
“I am a lover of roots-reggae and that genre of music was what I started with. However, I can’t leave the dancehall side of the culture, my intention is to capture the best of both sides in an effort display my versatility as well as to maximize my earning potential as an artist,” he said.
Pleasure With Pain was released on January 17. Av&nte and Ireland Records are currently in promotion mode, aware that the market they are targeting is a competitive one.
“Dancehall is very much a part of Jamaica’s contemporary culture and it is my job to contribute to it with the music I produce. My new single Pleasure With Pain is definitely geared towards a dancehall fan base,” he stated.
A trained pianist, Av&nte’s real name is Owayne McCaulsky. He graduated from “Edna” which has produced a number of quality musicians including guitarist Lamont “Monty” Savory of Protoje’s band, and the EarthKry Band.
In the past five years, he has performed at several major events including the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, and last year’s Reggae Sumfest. Av&nte holds a day job as music teacher at a leading preparatory school in Kingston.
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