Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter

Tinga Stewart during his cameo with Jimmy Riley at the 2006 Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest's Top Ranking - the Dancehall Salute, in Montego Bay, St. James, last summer.-Clauden Housen/Staff Photographer

Neville 'Tinga' Stewart is a man for all seasons. His music made quite a stir on the dancehall and festival music scenes in the '70s to early '90s, but he slowly disappeared from the Jamaican stage when he migrated to Miami in 1996. Still, his childhood love for music has lingered.

How did you get your start in music?

My first start in music came when I was younger and used to attend the St. Aloysius Boys' School and I used to sing in the choir. At the time, some of my influences were Delroy Wilson, John Holt and some other people. Then when I left school, I started singing with 'The Wildcats' every Saturday night.

How did you get the name 'Tinga'?

Every time I talked I used to say 'ting and ting', so people used to call me 'ting and ting'. But I shortened it and called myself 'Tinga' (pronounced Ting-ah), but one day radio jockey Don Topping called me Tinga (pronounced Ting-gah), so the name stuck.

Did you ever get mistaken for a female singer because of the name 'Tinga'?

No, I've never experienced that before. Is more like if me did name Inga. Because of my name people think the girl from Rising Stars name Inga is my daughter, but she isn't.

Do you think you are as recognised as you should be in the industry?

Not really. One time I was, but because I don't really live out here, it is a contributor. One time me have the place cold, but me ah go come back and do some more good songs.

What do you think has been your biggest hit?

I think is probably Cover Me. That is the real big song, even today.

What has been your greatest struggle in the music business?

The man dem a do too much payola and there is not too much good music. If yuh not paying some man yuh can't hear your music on (a radio station). It's the disc jockeys that causing some of the problems in the industry because a dem same one go and turn producers or reducers and come play them own tune. It is not for the love of the music anymore, is the love of money.

As a singer, what are your views on clashes? Do you think they are necessary?

"No, not now; it's too much 'almshouse' them keeping up. Like if Beenie and Bounty did all clash di odder day, because him say him run, maybe is fi di best. Because if dem did clash, maybe it woulddah come down to something heated and maybe somebody woulddah dead. Clashes can gwaan, but it haffi be verbal because a dat the people dem love see.

What have you been doing recently?

I have a new album called Ready To Groove. It is a mixture of lovers' rock, culture music and social commentary.