HEARING reggae music from his bedroom window when he was just a boy influenced Oliver Louis Gale so much he decided to try it. Several years later a new Vizion of consciousness was born.

Bursting onto the music scene in Barbados in early 2007 at age 20 as a reggae artiste, Vizion saw a lion's share of attention and achievement. He was fortunate to perform at Reggae On The Hill that year and was featured on the radio stations. Since then his hit single Girl I Need You, which he performed at the show, has been a regular on local airways.

Vizion was once again privileged to be a part of the recently concluded Barbados Reggae Festival, with performances at the Reggae Beach Party and once again at Reggae On The Hill, which has become the biggest reggae event in Barbados.

A member of Hit Island Studios, Vizion is currently building his album which he hopes to release by the end of the year. He noted that he was working with well-known producers including Peter Coppin, Minim and his Hit Island family.

Vizion said he felt that his musical talent was a "blessing from the Almighty," and added that he chose music and music chose him. When questioned on why the reggae genre Vizion said: "Reggae speaks about all issues and is my genre," and added that dance hall music was for everyone – "Music doesn't discriminate."

Studying business in Bristol, England, Vizion has taken the opportunity to get further exposure by performing with hip-hop and reggae artistes at various clubs there. He also admitted to being in the negotiation stages to do a show in Poland.

Back home however, Vizion has filmed a music video for his hit single Girl I Need You.

Though leaving days after performing at Reggae On The Hill to go back to Bristol, Vizion promised to return in June for Crop-Over and said that there was a possibility of him even doing a song for the festival.

When asked what he thought of the music industry in Barbados, Vizion said: "We are doing good music here" and thought the reggae artistes, in particular, were pushing a really good vibe of unity, love and positivity.

by Kishmar SHEPHERD