Olaf Blackwood: A journey of passion and innovation in music
Published:Sunday | August 25, 2024 | 12:10 AM
Renowned for his unique sound and dynamic presence in the music industry, Olaf Blackwood continues to captivate audiences with his compelling journey and innovative projects. From his early inspirations to recent collaborations, Blackwood’s musical evolution has been nothing short of remarkable, with his recent output making waves across the world.
Describing himself as a “fun-loving philanthropist”, Blackwood’s foray into music began with a deep-seated passion for creativity and expression. Raised in a culturally rich environment, he spent his earlier years in Lacovia, St. Elizabeth where he attended Lacovia Primary and Comprehensive High schools, before moving to St. Ann where he continued his education at Ocho Rios High School. Blackwood was influenced by a diverse range of musical genres and artistes, most especially his own uncle. His journey started with a fascination for rhythm and melody, which soon evolved into a fully fledged career.
Drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of musical legends and contemporary artistes, his sound is a fusion of classic influences and modern sensibilities. His early career saw him collaborating with a host of notable artistes, including Bounty Killer, Maxi Priest and Beenie Man, to name a few. These collaborations not only showcased the versatility in his songwriting skills, but also solidified his reputation as a sought-after talent in the music industry.
“My uncle, Errol Blackwood, was a singer-songwriter from Canada and he was the founder of the reggae band, Messenjah, which today is probably Canada’s most successful band. He was my first inspiration, before being introduced to the likes of Bounty Killer,” Blackwood shared. He also recalled that throughout his school years, music started out as a fun thing for him where his classmates would request him to perform during classes as a way to relax their brains before lessons.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
Blackwood’s current projects highlight his ever-evolving artistry and his commitment to pushing musical boundaries. Having worked on numerous projects with a plethora of artistes, both international and local, Blackwood notes that his biggest record to date is I Need You, which is a pop/EDM record that was written with Fernando Garibay.
“I’ve had many incredible moments in my career, however, a few that stands out to me was seeing contestant on The Voice singing my songs to essentially launch their careers, as well as seeing a venue of about 70,000 people in Romania lose their minds as soon as the song starts playing was a pretty awesome experience,” he said.
He recently collaborated with the Queen of Dancehall, Spice, on her recent album, Mirror 25. The track, which is titled, On Your Mind, is a vibrant, high-energy song that portrays a love story, melding Blackwood’s distinctive style with Spice’s electrifying presence.
“The collaboration with Spice was awesome. In 2019 we wrote quite a few songs and we narrowed it down to the songs that are currently on the album. She’s such an amazing artiste, she just shows up and delivers all the time,” an enthusiastic Blackwood shared.
Additionally, Blackwood has recently released a new single featuring reggae icon Shaggy. Last Thursday, they released a video, directed by Jay Will, for their song titled Selector Pull It, which immediately began climbing the charts. The track is a testament to Blackwood’s ability to seamlessly create music that resonates with a global audience, bringing into the scope the essence and culture of a true Jamaican street dance. The collaboration with Shaggy is already generating buzz and is set to further cement Blackwood’s place in the music industry.
As Olaf Blackwood continues to evolve as an artiste, his dedication to his craft and his innovative spirit remain at the forefront of his work. Fans and industry insiders alike eagerly anticipate his future projects, which promise to push the boundaries of contemporary music while honouring the rich traditions that have influenced his career.
“I just finished the reggae album which Shaggy produced. We wrote like 15 songs, but we gotta narrow it down to maybe 10 or 11. I’ll also be working on an album that Shaggy has upcoming with Sting. I’ve also recently worked with Aidonia and Akon, so there’s quite a few projects that will be coming out shortly that I’ve been a part of.
Contrary to the lifestyle portrayed in the music industry, Blackwood leads a very health conscious one, explaining that he “hikes a lot ... stopped eating meat and now eats a lot more plant-based meals and drinks specifically alkaline water”.
“And I’ve quit vaping,” he added.
In addition to the countless projects on which he has been working, Blackwood recently partnered with Lifespan Spring Water, as its newest brand ambassador, aligning with his conscious health habits. This ambassadorship comes after Blackwood’s discovery of the product, while dining at a restaurant on a prior trip to Jamaica, and posting to his social media how great the water tastes. This caught the attention of the Lifespan team, who then reached out to Blackwood, opening the line of dialogue which has led to both parties joining forces.