Kenne Blessin brings Barrington Levy classic to new reggae listeners

Reggae artiste Kenne Blessin says listeners have been embracing his new take on Barrington Levy's Vice Versa Love, the 1990s reggae staple known for its easy rhythm and call for love to be returned in kind.

"The response has been pleasantly surprising. People really appreciate the fact that I chose that song, and they keep telling me it is time for this legendary song right now because of the turmoil in the world today," he said.

With the remake, Kenne Blessin has brought the song before a younger audience while keeping the feeling that helped the original remain beloved over the years. The recording is featured on Caught My Attention, his latest 14-track album, which focuses on love, self-knowledge and togetherness. Across the project, he works with a clean but natural reggae sound, joining modern studio touches with the plain-spoken emotion linked to roots music.

The set also includes love selections such as Wanna Be With You, along with Spread the Love, which reflects on nature and a wider message of affection. Kenne Blessin said the idea to record Vice Versa came without forcing it while he was making the album.

"I was playing a riddim, and it just kept coming at me and I love a natural feeling and that made it magical," he said.

Kenne Blessin was born in Kingston and grew up in St. Thomas, where a wide range of music helped form his taste. As a youth, he listened to Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Sizzla and Beenie Man, and he also took in American hip-hop from acts such as Snoop Dogg. His sound later widened again in Antigua, where he performed with a band and became more familiar with soca and rock, elements that would influence both his recordings and stage work.

His career started in Jamaica, but it gained speed in Antigua after he captured the Caribbean Star Search contest on Gem FM. That win opened the way for My Love Will Never Die, the soca single that first caught on in Trinidad before spreading through the wider Caribbean and other markets.

Through the years, Kenne Blessin has become known as a writer as well as a singer who can reshape well-known songs in his own style. Fans have often praised his smooth vocal delivery, and his work has crossed different sounds and age groups. He has appeared on shows with artistes from Sean Paul to veteran singer Freddie McGregor, while also linking with soca and rock bands outside Jamaica.

The Atlanta-based singer has continued to put a reggae stamp on popular material. His recognised covers include Holding Back the Years, produced by Hugh Campbell, and Ed Sheeran's Perfect. He has also recorded a reggae version of Elton John's Nikita and taken part in the Blue Flame Riddim project with artistes including Anthony Malvo and Delly Ranx.

Kenne Blessin has performed in Switzerland, England, Germany, Antigua, Trinidad, St. Kitts and St. Maarten. He has not yet performed on stage in Jamaica, but he said he hopes that will change soon.

"I am really looking forward to showing what I can do on a stage in Jamaica, and with how things are shaping up in 2026, that will be soon," he said confidently.