Busy Signal Keeping Busy

Deejay Busy Signal is calling the past two years "the best years" of his life.

It has been two years since the deejay returned to Jamaica after being extradited to the United States. He spent six months in jail on a charge of absconding bail for a drug-related matter 10 years prior.

Today, the deejay — whose given name is Glendale Gordon — speaks to being a more contented human being who has put his past behind him and is moving forward with his career.

"The past two years have really been a blessing for me. I have been putting out the work and it's been paying off. I have been touring — Africa, Europe and the Caribbean have a different kinda love for me," he told the Jamaica Observer, during a telephone interview.

The artiste is also currently using the time to work on his next release — a double disc — featuring a fusion of other genres with reggae/dancehall music.

"One of my biggest hits over the past two years is Watch Out fi Dis with Major Lazer. I will be working with them on this new album, which is quite different from my previous album which was straight reggae music. You know we have to keep the music alive."

The double disc is slated for release in early 2015. A specific release date and name for the project are still to be decided.

The artiste said he is committed to staying true to his hit song Nah Go a Jail Again.

"For me, staying out of trouble is about keeping myself 'Busy'. I stay away from the party scene. You will hear more of Busy Signal rather than see him. My thing is, if I party Sunday to Friday, who is gonna pay to see me on Saturday? That is just my strategy. This is a business and that's how I run my thing ever since, not just over the past two years," said Busy Signal.

The deejay stated that he never listens to his own music except during playback in the studio. During his down time, he prefers the work of vintage Jamaican acts like Ken Boothe, Toots and the Maytals and John Holt, whom he says inspire him to produce timeless works.

"When you listen to John Holt... a legend... legendary, real icon of reggae music who carry the music far and wide. My respect for John Holt is limitless."

Busy Signal further disclosed that during the recent Welcome to Jamrock cruise, organised by the Marley family, he paid tribute to Holt, who died in a London hospital on October 20.

"I did one of his hits, Up Park Camp, and then moved into Nah Go Jail... he has been such an inspiration," he added.