'Generation next' shines at Sumfest

The next generation of reggae stars are ready to chart their own course as they look to come out from under the shadows of their superstar parents.

Abatau, son of reggae star Tony Rebel, and Imeru Tafari, son of Queen Ifrica, both put in great performances when they graced the Reggae Sumfest stage early on Saturday night. The two held their own and gave two very engaging sets, showing just why they are ones to look out for in the near future.

In their post performance interviews, both artistes said that it takes some amount of work to cut their own path in the industry as people constantly associate them with their parents. They are however, ready to build their own legacies and believe they have what it takes to establish themselves independent of their famous parents.

"Music is natural for me, it's something that just come out and I don't feel any pressure to live up to my father's name. It's a blessing to get the music genes from him and I'm grateful," Abatau said. "As long as a music me a do, me happy. I'm just being myself. I'm my own person outside of my father and I'm ready to do my thing, not just live up or build on fi him thing."

Imeru Tafari shared similar sentiments. "If me never love music den me wouldn't a do it. My mother guide me when she find out I have the talent, but she nuh have nothing to do with this course I've chosen," he said. "It's not a matter of building on her legacy, she did what she thought was for her and I'm doing what I think is for me. I am who I am and I can't get away from that. I just have to show people that I'm worthy just like she had to show people she was worthy of them calling her own name and not just associate her with her father (Derrick Morgan)."