By Kevin Jackson—
THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD singjay Kairo McLean created history on Saturday night when he became the youngest person to win the JUNO Award in the Reggae Recording of the Year category.
Considered Canada’s equivalent to the Grammy Awards, the JUNO Awards staged its opening night at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with more than 40 awards being handed out. The second night of the awards took place on Sunday night.
McLean — who won for his four-song EP titled Easy Now — shared how he felt being the youngest winner of the category which was instituted in 1985.
“Well it feels great, you know, for my music to be able to be recognized at my young age. A lot of people have been in it for a long time. I have come and I’ve done the works of my ancestors, so it’s really a joy,” McLean told the Jamaica Observer.
McLean is a student at Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Catholic elementary school in Scarborough, Ontario, where he resides. His father is Jamaican while his mother is Canadian-Jamaican.
Easy Now (produced by Tim Dubs and released in April 2021) won from a field which included nominees Herb Dream by Blessed, By Any Means (Exco Levi), Don’t Let it Get to You (Josemar), and Too Ruff (Kirk Diamond and Finn).
Kairo explained the feeling when his name was announced winner.
“Well, it was complete and utter excitement. I jumped up and I went on stage to accept the award. From there, they took me into the back and I had to do a couple of interviews with mainstream media. It was a great feeling,” said McLean.
“A lot of hard work went into the EP, a lot of nights of reviewing and writing lyrics and listening over the songs. It was fun, but it was still hard work,” he continued.
During his acceptance speech McLean thanked his family and two of his fellow nominees for their support.
“I’d like to start by thanking his Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I the first, Jah Rastafari and my parents. I love you mom, I love you dad, Shanice, Alicia, yeah man. Kirk Diamond and Exco and everyone else who has helped me along the way, thank you. It’s an honor,” he said.
At the age of two McLean began to show an interest in music, and by the time he was three he was already playing drums. At five he picked up the acoustic guitar and by six, he was already singing and performing at festivals.
McLean draws his musical influence from Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, and Gregory Isaacs. His most notable performances include the Rasta Fest in Toronto, and the JAMBANA Festival.
His full-length debut album 13, which comprises seven tracks, is to be released shortly.
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