“Most artists get a song, and the song is bigger than them,” Jamaican artist Masicka reflects in Energy, a new FADER documentary starring the rising dancehall star. “I realized that in dancehall, it’s better to build a movement, and not just a song.”
A movement is exactly what the 26-year-old artist, real name Javaun Fearon, is leading. Portmore born and raised, Masicka has been on the dancehall scene since he was a teenager, and has slowly been making a name for himself and his Genahsyde crew. In recent years, songs like ”Top Striker” and “Everything Mi Want / To The Top,“ have shown his ability to tell vivid stories of the streets and his rise to the top. Coupled with his undeniably versatile melodic sensibility and punch-to-the-gut delivery, it’s evident Masicka is a musical force to be reckoned with, in Jamaica and beyond.
“I’m trying to create a bigger scale for this thing, and put the name out there more,” he shares at the end of the documentary. This year, having released blow-out hit "Energy" and his ubiquitous Vybz Kartel collaboration “Infrared,” it’s clearer than ever before that Masicka is on the right track.
Shot in Portmore, Jamaica, Energy follows Masicka as he tells the story of his rise, his spin on dancehall, and the genre’s importance to Jamaica. Watch above.
Director: Rob Semmer
Producers: Frances Capell, Carleene Samuels
Executive Producers: Rob Stone, Jon Cohen, Andy Cohn, Anthony Holland
Director of Photography: Scott Perry
Assistant Camera: Rand Francis
Sound Recordist: Sheldon Turbull
Production Assistant: Jade Brown
Driver: Albert Francis
Production Manager: Madison LaClair
Editor: Sam Balaban
Titles: Madison Bullard
Color: Kath Raisch at Company 3
Sound Mix: Jake Viator at Stones Throw Studios
Music: "Knock It" written by Dwayne Parkinson and Javaun Fearon; performed by Masicka
"Energy" written by Berris Brown and Javaun Fearon; performed by Masicka
"Roll Clean" written by Mario Dunwell and Javaun Fearon; performed by Masicka
Special Thanks: Corey Todd
