Bryka insists new song is not anti-gay

Dancehall artiste Bryka is adamant that despite its hard-hitting lyrics, his single, titled Not At All, is not "an anti-gay anthem".

"It does not incite violence towards gay people. It just defends our [Jamaican] morals and beliefs and addresses a normal everyday topic that is sung about all the time in dancehall," Bryka explained. The single is scheduled for release today. Despite the recent statements from two local artistes about their sexual preferences, Bryka said the timing of the song's release is a mere coincidence.

"Some people feel that the song was done to address the noise in dancehall which has ignited debates between artistes about people's sexuality. The song's release date was set a long time ago, before all this noise about this and that. So, I'd say it is most definitely a coincidence. I don't incite violence in my music," he said.

Bryka, given name Daniel Anthony Rose, is the nephew of dancehall legend Buju Banton. His interest in music developed at an early age while he was a member of the choir at Beulah Missionary Church of God in Golden Spring, St Andrew. After his grandmother died, he decided to do music professionally.

In July 2016, Bryka performed at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, an experience he said has been one of the highlights of his career thus far.