In Comes the Small Axe…Jesse Royal

“We the people need a change right now on all fronts…not only in Jamaica but the world Governments need to have a drastic change in game plans. We need to put the people over the money or else we will keep fighting until we find some true compassion as human beings,” candidly explained Jesse Royal as he reflected on the ever-shifting nature of human evolution.

Jesse Royal channels an eerie performance persona reminiscent of a young Jacob Miller, fused with the sort of recherché understanding of Peter Tosh’s dynamism in delivery. This is no doubt fuelling his vision of change and a wide-eyed lyrical prowess roaring from the depths of his thoughts. The 24-year-old has realized that people can only know what you choose to tell them, so it’s his mission to spread messages that need to be heard while he chops down the ‘Modern Day Judas’.

While Royal’s fans lose themselves in his lyrics, he’s humbled at the thought of liberating what needs to be heard and strategically laces his songs with subliminal messages. “Truly…I get a lot of inspiration and a lot of influence from older artistes but we are who we are and we are what we are. Everyone goes through their own tribulations and situations that bring them to where they are today,” relayed a pensive Jesse.

He continued, “Ever since I took up music professionally I felt like I had to be the voice of the people and say the things that need to be said. Myself like countless others go through the struggles of this system and was one who almost became a victim of it but we kept it musical and we use music as a tool to enlighten our people.”
In Comes the Small Axe

With one foot firmly planted in music, Royal has the other deeply rooted in his Rastafarian lifestyle. His quick-wittedness and intelligently-riddled responses do not only ensure that he is heard but truly impact you with his profound message. Additionally, living in an era where the youths’ attention span is easily jaded and often warped by sexual and violent lyrics, it can be challenging for upcoming artistes to demand and maintain the attention of new music lovers but ostensibly Royal has it all figured out.

“The key here is to simply keep it real cause everybody feels…so even persons who can’t see or can’t hear can still feel the passion in my words, so that’s how we’re keeping everybody attracted; by giving them music with feeling and giving them our energy and our entire life force in the music,” explains the iconoclastic musician.

“You have to remember that we are but a vessel on this earth so we have to make sure that Jah’s message comes through as clear as possible…with our only little spice attached. So that’s how we’re gonna keep the masses interested because people will always look to the light – running in the dark you’ll spin in circles but from we give them some light they can always see it and follow it,” he expressed.

“Granted I am a small person in stature, so it’s easy for me to be underestimated in my capabilities and can easily be overlooked but with everything I have to say the masses will have no choice but to eventually pay attention…‘cause it takes time to catch on to things but wherever the wind blows that’s where this small axe’s music will go and I can stand behind that. There will come a time where they will be tired to see my face because my music will go in every crevice and corner and every little place there is… this message will be heard!”

We have seen the power of music from legends such as Dennis Brown, Culture, Peter Tosh and of course Bob Marley. The power to incite revolutions and change the hearts of men is encapsulated in a sweet melody. The very same influence packed in the lyrical missiles of these greats is evident in the radical Jesse Royal. His sagacious and impactful music will lead his generation on a path of redemption and we look forward to a history of his music being celebrated.