I-Octane, after a successful two-year partnership with telecommunications giant Digicel, has been re-signed as one of their brand ambassadors.
The reggae/dancehall star did a 15-minute set in front of a small audience along with the Riddim 2000 band at the re-signing event, which was hosted at the Big Yard Studios yesterday.
The event was attended by several representatives of the Digicel family, along with friends of I-Octane like Geefus, Markus Myrie, Ninja Kidd, ZJ Johnny Kool, ZJ Smurf among others.
According to Tahnida Nunes, Digicel’s sponsorship manager, the relationship with I-Octane is like a marriage.
“We believe in him and he has done us proud. It’s kinda like a marriage, he takes on our brand and we take on his brand, whatever he does affects us and whatever we do affects him, and so far it has been mutually beneficial. You see this man on our billboards and our ads. We are proud that I-Octane represents Digicel, and this is gonna be something that will last for hopefully many years to come. So I want to say special big-ups to Ray Alexander and Khool Booking agency, congratulation and Digicel loves you,” Nunes said.
I-Octane was in high spirits on the night, and he paid homage to persons who contributed to the development of his career.
“Digicel big up yuhself because you believed in me as a street youth, a road youth. I invited Donovan Germain tonight, because he did a lot for me as a youth leaving Clarendon to Penthouse Recording studio. He had a lot of established artistes like Buju Banton and he still gave me the opportunity to use the studio free of cost, and he developed my talent. Hearing from Donovan Germain that ‘youth yu bad’ was a great accomplishment for me.”
He continued, “The reason why I invited Donovan Germain was because Digicel played the same role for me. Coming off the street, I didn’t know anything about corporate because wi a street youth. But Digicel has moulded me into a better individual, I now see things from a different perspective,” he said.
According to I-Octane, the Digicel contract keeps him on the right track and helps him to remain positive.
“Things that I would step out of the box and do, I try not to, because I know that I am associated with Digicel, and it also puts me in a positive light to the younger generation who might be sceptic about Corporate Jamaica. But because they respect and love me, I can now pave the way for others. So big-up Digicel because they have helped to fulfil my dreams. I can now give back and I have also started my own production company, so I can help up-and-coming artistes and give back to reggae music and my talent helped me to achieve all of this, this is a great accomplishment and I am proud, suh big-ups to the Almighty,” he said.