Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer
Wayne Wonder during his performance in the 'Art of Reggae Segment' of Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival earlier this year.

Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

International dancehall artiste Wayne Wonder is about to release his latest album, Foreva, through VP Records this summer and, according to the singer, "I just hope my fans will gravitate to it. I put my heart into my work, so I leave it up to my fans."

Foreva is a follow-up to his 2003 release No Holding Back. It features the single Again and includes an infectious reggae remake of the Thompson Twins' 1984 classic Hold Me Now, produced by No Doubt's Tony Kanal.

Wayne Wonder, who recently celebrated the birth of his second child, says "it's very hard sometimes" to balance his musical career and family life, "but I always try to find timefor each".

As a matter of fact, Wayne Wonder says his two children, "Tianna and Daivon, 16 and eight months, are adorable and my entire family is doing very well".

Not pleased with feuds

In taking a closer look at the music industry back home in Jamaica, Wayne Wonder, who currently resides in the U.S., says there are things that he is not pleased with, especially as it relates to what is going on in the dancehall with all the rivalry and artiste feuds. But, according to Wayne Wonder, "it's not a good look, but each to his own."

Wayne Wonder, who might not be as visible as fans would like him to be on local scene, says, "I can't be on every rhythm" and, furthermore, "when I voice for some producers and I need the songs for my projects, it always comes with too much money issues when I didn't even take an advance from them to do the song".

He added, "I don't make music to fit in, but for people to appreciate".

A household name in Jamaica for more than 15 years, 2002 saw Wayne Wonder's first ever number 1 mainstream hit in the U.S. with the romantic single No Letting Go, released by Atlantic Records.

No Letting Go was a crossover hit which catapulted Wayne Wonder into the stratosphere, with a 2003 appearance on 'Saturday Night Live', a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album, a peak chart position at number 11 on the Billboard's Top 200 and regular airplay on urban and pop radio stations worldwide.