Tyrel soaring like a Phoenix

by Michron Robinson

Chances are you will hear about this reggae artist in the future as he has his sights set where the eagles fly.

Rocking reggae artist Phoenix5– real name, Tyrel Headley, has a powerful sound easily mistaken for one in the upper musical echelon.

However,for this 27-year-old growing up in Josey Hill, St Lucy, life was rough.

He said that if anyone knows about struggle it was him. He spoke of many obstacles that he had to overcome which pushed him and fuelled him to want to uplift people.

During this trying COVID-19 period, Tyrel is using music to warm hearts and souls. With the release of his hot new track Red, Gold and Green which had its beat produced by Don Writa Records and mixed and mastered by Cjuh at StarPoint Productions, Phoenix5 is on a mission.

Tyrel described life growing up in a household with musical parents- his dad was Robin Knight known as DJ Rocking Robin and his mother Fay Headley-Boyce, a choir member in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.“I grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. I have my mother to thank for that and my step dad also used to play a lot of oldies.”

Tyrel said that his mother supportedhim from the get-go but warnedhim not to become a starving artist.

When questioned about his spiritual leanings the man who started in music at 16 said that he finds “a oneness” within himself.

“I wouldn’t call myself a ball-head-rasta but I am a person who is looking to preach the right things and have people know the right way to go. My basis spiritually is within- my oneness within myself as you can see the songs I sing, I take a lot of inspiration from the rasta community.”

In everything that Tyrel does he said that he is propelled to carry a message from within especially to the youth.

“I want them to know that life is not all about the badness and it isn’t all about the glamour. [The young men] need to know it is not all about the women. It is about your community and bettering yourself. It is about helping out your brothers and sisters.”

Tyrel went on to quote revolutionary leader Marcus Garvey by saying “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

In his music videos Phoenix5 said he ensures to promote the island by using the flag and other national symbols. For this young father life outside of music is packed with family adventure and hustle.

“My stepdaughter loves a lot of singing and dancing so I try to produce music that she would not be disappointed in. My son is only two years old and he likes singing and dancing. I always try to put out positive things.”

Next up on the agenda for Phoenix5 is a new production called Firm Meditation and other songs ready and available on YouTube for Phoenix5 are; Can’t Be My Friend, Struggle, Fyah Can’t Cool and Nuff Girls.

Tyrel said that though he has dancehall in the mix his sights are set on the soothing sounds of reggae.

A past student of the Alma Parris Memorial Secondary School Tyrel has grown away from who he was and wants to stir and evoke change by what he calls “rebel music”.

“My music brings a purpose and a message. You may feel like you want to dance or you may feel like just holding a corner and praying with a firm meditation. My music is for everyone really.”

It’s not only about putting out fresh tracks for Tyrel but he has a goal in mind to leave a positive legacy behind. Tyrel shared that when he first started in music he was tempted to sing trending music.“I wasn’t studying the type of music that I was putting out. But my producer told me that I can actually sing and I started to change up my style.

“As opposed to chanting and doing the local dancehall from seven years ago I started to sing music which reflected who I am. I am always looking for [that] international sound” From St Lucy to Christ Church Phoenix5 said that he hopes to become a household name.

On the more serious side of things Tyrel said that he wanted to warn artists who think in order to establish themselves they need to sing of “badness”.

He said that most of the artists who sang gun violence songs were just singing.

“You have to remember that this is just music and you have to choose your path of where you want to go and who you want to be.”

He pleaded for the gun violence to stop and said he will play his part to spread positivity.