Phorein

Curtis Campbell, Sunday Gleaner Writer


Reggae artiste Milton 'Phorein' Jackson has high hopes for his trip to Jamaica.


The singer hopes to captivate the local music scene with his new single Dreaming of A Better Day, for which there is soon to be a video.


The United States-based singer, who hails from Salt Spring, Montego Bay, told The Sunday Gleaner he was a proud Jamaican businessman.


According to Phorein, he rose above many obstacles and was now poised to fulfil his dream of being a successful reggae artiste.


Though he is yet to attempt making a name for himself in Jamaica, he is confident that the island will be able to relate to his music.


"Jamaica, like many other countries, has been a victim of universal struggle so they will relate to my message," he said.


The artiste revealed that he went through many atrocities. Born to a life of poverty and abandoned by his parents at five weeks old, he has risen above his circumstances to become an example of the prosperity that can be achieved, even after the greatest of setbacks.


Fighting spirit


The struggles involved with overcoming poverty has given Phorein the determination of a soldier and he expressed that with his fighting spirit, he is confident that his music and story will have a great impact on the local music industry.


"I have always wanted to pursue music as a career. After I lost my beautiful daughter, Soraya, to cancer I decided to pursue the dream that we shared," he said.


The artiste previously released a song called Cry For Me produced by Rafael of Ingoma music. The song is being sold by VP records and is available through the various online means.


"I do not record music because I want to be rich or famous, I record and perform because I love music and want to give you something real to listen to," he said


Phorein is currently working closely with music video director and entertainment publicist Karl Durrant to launch an aggressive marketing plan for his music.


"We have big plans for Phorein, new videos, collaborations and singles that the world will appreciate and not just the Jamaican market," said Durrant. - Jamaican Gleaner

Although the Connecticut, United States-based not-for-profit the Soraya Amy Jackson Foundation has only recently become official, the organisation is already aiming to make big strides in youth education in Jamaica.

The foundation is currently offering 10 educational grants, which are valued at J$50,000 each, to students entering their first year of college.

The charity, which was founded in 2014, is led by Jamaican-born singer Milton George Jackson Jr, who is better known by his stage name 'Phorein.'

According to Jackson, the programme intends to select applicants who display a vision for personal as well as economic growth. Jackson co-founded the organisation with his wife, Tara Taylor, in memory of their daughter, Soraya Amy.

"Applicants will be required to write a 300-word, or more, essay on one of the following topics: 'How could you use your college education to create sustainable career opportunities for Jamaicans in order to convince our most talented young people to stay and build a future in Jamaica?'; or 'What is your vision to make Jamaica better?'"

Persons interested in getting an outline of the essay topics are invited to visit the organisation's website at www.sajfoundation.com. Applicants will be required to submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or principals; their high school transcripts; and a completed rÈsumÈ, which is to be submitted to the foundation's email at sajscholarship@gmail.com.



DEADLINE

Jackson said that the deadline for submission of applications is Thursday, March 31. The selections will be made after that date. The grants will be channelled directly to the respective schools of the successful applicants. The funds will be used to cover educational expenses.

"My daughter always wanted to go to school. She loved school," said the entertainer, in reflecting on his daughter, who died of cancer in 2007 at the age of nine. "Plus, I know the importance of education. So we see where this would be the right way to honour her memory."

Jackson, who is a former student of the Chetwood Memorial Primary School and Cornwall College, grew up in Salt Spring on the outskirts of Montego Bay. He revealed that the funding for the programme comes primarily from his family..

"Most of the funding is from our family at this time. We've saved up - working and saving money here and there - until we finally had enough to offer the scholarships," said Jackson. "We want to do this every year, so we are going to be looking at organising some activities to raise funds for 2017." - Jamaican Gleaner

Note that while this is not a music review, it provides a background into Phorein's work as a black business owner in his community. - Journal Inquirer

Allan, Mike & Mary show weekdays from 5:30am–9am
Highlighting Phorein as a Community-based, Black Business owner of Jamaican Kitchen. - Lite 100.5 FM