No platform for Bushman

Singer Bushman's first album, Nyah Man Chant, was produced by Steely and Clevie and released on Greensleeves. Among the songs on it are Call The Hearse, the multi-artiste Remember the Days and Grow Your Natty. Seven years later, the Signs set, put out by VP Records, included Downtown, Lighthouse and Sanctuary. But it was not until 2011 that Bushman released his homage album Bushman sings the Bush Doctor: A Tribute to Peter Tosh, again done with VP Records, and in 2018 he has chosen to go independently with Conquering Lion on his Burning Bushes label.

With four albums in just over two decades, Bushman told The Gleaner that "over the years me no get no platform. When my first project drop December 1995, I did not get a chance to go foreign until December 1996." Also, Bushman said Nyah Man Chant was hot in America, but he was booked for England." Still, he does say, "God bless Steely and Clevie."

Similarly, he gives credit to Colin 'Iley Dread' Levy (who subsequently changed his performance name to Chardavid) for his support of Downtown. "When I carry the project (Signs album) to him, him say this tune is the tune. We decide we going to do a video. Ras Kassa was the man who did it," Bushman said. While he is happy for the video, Bushman said "there was no video premiere. We no get no Sumfest. Is not an annual thing Bushman can look forward to. And your things connect", going through a number of his popular songs to support the point.

"We no overexposed, which is good. But people listen," he said.

And he contrasts his situation with that of another performer, whose most renowned album, Til Shiloh, was released in 1995. "Me no get no platform, like how Buju get Penthouse," Bushman said.