Shocking Murray Ready to Dominate Locally!‏

Now that he has established himself well in the European market, reggae/dancehall singjay Shocking Murray said he’s ready to dominate locally.

The soothing reggae chanter has impressively made a name for himself overseas, after a successful five-year stint promoting his debut album, ‘Rise to the Top’ which was released in 2006, on the German MK Music label. And, given the reception he has received across Europe , the Portland-native now believes it’s time for him to target local audiences.

“I’m working harder, keeping the focus and being more careful about who I’m working with,” said Murray, in reference to his desire to conquer the local music industry.

The singjay is currently promoting two singles off his soon to be released album; these are the anti-violence Johnny and Natural Livity, which he believes will strike a positive chord with Jamaicans as they speak to specific issues facing the island.

Shocking Murray, whose also getting ready to release his second album ‘Trodding On’ this year, said “Jamaicans are going through so much now, that the only thing close to perfect satisfaction for them is good music. This is exactly what my new singles will provide for them.”

Though the singjay is currently on a mission to get his material out to the Jamaican public, his journey in music really began in 1990 when he linked up with producers IUS and Devon Bradshaw and recorded his first single Drum, at the Black Scorpio studio in Kingston.

After another four released singles, a young Shocking Murray was discovered by Black Uhuru’s legendary former lead Michael Rose who later introduced him to Squidly Cole, this lead to the release of two singles, Position and Heaven Holiday, which was distributed by Tuff Gong record label in 1992.

In 1995 Shocking Murray got his breakthrough hit in the form of Woman You Me Want, featuring fellow reggae artiste Antonio. The success generated from the single propelled Shocking Murray to pursue greener pastures in Europe, which resulted in him performing at several major festivals and stage shows across the continent.

Anything less than complete success for Shocking Murray would qualify as failure, given the energy that the father-of-one has invested in his music in recent years. He’s content that with hard work and extreme patience, therefore for him success is inevitable.

And, though he admitted that the business is still difficult locally, he firmly believes that he will make it on local soil. “Artistes and musicians are still struggling to get their music out there. But, good music never dies and that is what the people want,” he said.