For the last six years, promoter and music producer Jahmai Charles has been trying to create a platform for Guyanese artistes, most recently for the members of the Frass Friday team he founded.
Also known as ‘Jahie’ or ‘Ghetto Gad’, Jahmai promotes Dance Hall, Reggae and HipHop artistes. He grew up in Rosemary Lane, South Cummingsburg (Tiger Bay). Number five of eight children, Jahmai grew up in a cookshop run by his mother, Petal Roberts, known by everyone as Sister P. He said he was one of the few fortunate ones to grow up in a home with both his parents unlike many of his friends who were raised by one parent or a guardian. However, coming from a home where there was a popular ital cookshop, he and his siblings were often needed to peel vegetables and take up chores in the kitchen. This, he said, meant less time for play.
As someone from Tiger Bay, the promoter said, he knows there is a stigma that comes with being from the ghetto and that is usually a challenge which makes other issues even more difficult. However, every time he was able to get pass such barriers, it gave him courage he needed to keep striving to attain his goals.
