Degree's triple threat – Rave new single, Manchester Fiesta, RehGeh clothes line

Musically, dancehall artiste General Degree has been quiet locally but says he is upbeat about three significant things in his career currently.

The deejay, who burst on to the music scene in the early ’90s with Granny, has been busy promoting his August 8, Manchester Fiesta event, which will be held at Kirkvine in Manchester.

Degree, born Cardiff Butt, has also been getting rave reviews for his new single I Can’t Stop Loving You, which he recorded at Super Sonic Label in Germany, while his RehGeh clothing line still remains popular amongst local brands.

“I Can’t Stop Loving You is a song dedicated to someone close to you like a wife, girlfriend or even a best friend. It’s been at number one for the past three weeks (in Germany) and I feel good to know that after so many years I’m still able to produce number one hits,” he said.

Degree added that whenever he travels, people would greet him heartily and are still fond of his earlier hits such as Pianist and Traffic Blocking.

“I still travel and up until now people still go crazy over Traffic Blocking. But my new song is not a local song, so I am going to push it. I am just waiting until the show (Manchester Fiesta) finish,” he added.

“Manchester Fiesta is an all-food festival and stage show, and the children will be free.”

Degree also told THE STAR that this is the fourth year of the show and that each year has been better than the previous one.

“It’s going to be a fantastic event because the show has gotten more endorsements and it will benefit the patrons more. The line-up has always been great,” he stated.

The line-up includes Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, Kiprich, Merciless and Queen Ifrica.

“Last year was very good and everyone in that region is still talking about it, so I am expecting something great this year,” he said.

His clothing line, RehGeh, has been around since 2005, but due to the recent economic meltdown, the demand in sales has dried up. But Degree said he is focusing on the bright side.

“It’s steady right now. Due to the economic meltdown it is slow. The necessity right now is for food and then clothes after. There are a lot more sales to come,” he said.

“Having a clothing brand as an artiste gives more power to the local brand. When you have names like Kiprich, Bounty Killer and Mavado with their own brands, it makes the whole Jamaican brand more popular,” he added.

Source: JamaicaStar