It’s been a long journey for Alpha-Pi ‘Alpha Pi Messam, from his early years enveloped in music to the release of his new song, Time Will Tell, earlier this month (October 7).

Alpha Pi, who spent his earlier years raised in a nuclear family, with three of his brothers, in the community of Rose Heights, St James, has been infatuated with music for as long as he can remember.

“In my early years, growing up there was always music around me, the music and dances going on in the communities, whatever played on the TV and radio, but what really influenced me to become an artiste was seeing how much my mother enjoyed music and watching my older brother DJ,” said Messam.

He attended Herbert Morrison High School and then completed his associate degree in Business Studies at the Montego Bay Community College in St James.

After school, he fully immersed himself into music and has pursued his dreams of creating music that can connect with all types of people.

Messam is no stranger to hardships, with one of his earliest tragedies coming when he was 12 years old, losing both of his parents to illness in the span of a year – his mother to cancer and his father soon after due to a brain aneurysm.

Since that time, he has lost friends and acquaintances to violence and other tragedies.

Messam, when asked about his journey through dancehall, said: “I’m not sure how to even describe my life and journey through dancehall. It’s had its ups and downs but I accept it and everything that comes with it.”

He continued: “Music to me is life. It’s about sounds and the feeling that the sound gives you. Dancehall has its own sound that I like and I’d say the same for Reggae.”

He speaks about his experiences in his music and Time Will Tell is about his experiences, the passing of his friends, the necessity of having to cut ties with certain people, his ambitions and looking towards new beginnings.

“People love the song. A lot of people can relate to the song. If you really listen to the song, most people can relate to trying to move to a better place physically and mentally,” said Messam.

When asked his views on the dancehall industry, Messam said: “I personally think dancehall is better than ever. Dancehall’s potential has no limits and I think it can keep growing. In terms of creativity and authenticity, each artiste is adding to the sound. Dancehall has more reach than ever and it’s not just tied to a limited amount of people anymore. Multiple people are out there doing their thing.”

Time Will Tell was released only four days prior to the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica’s (BCJ) recent ban on all broadcasts on television, radio or cable that promotes or glorifies any illegal activity.

When asked about his views on the ban, Alpha Pi said did not understand what the regulator expected the move to change.

“Every artiste I know sings about what they see or what they hear happening around them, people are going to keep doing that regardless,” he said.

You can follow him on Instagram @alphapimusiq

READ: BCJ orders ban from airwaves of songs glorifying illegal activity

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