If you’re one of the many people on the Island already counting down until summer arrives, here’s one more reason to get excited... Beenie Man.

The Grammy-award winning Jamaican reggae artist will headline the ninth annual Soca Vs Reggae Cup Match after party this year.

Hailed as the world’s King of Dancehall, Beenie Man is known for old school hits like Romie, Who Am I, and Girls Dem Sugar. His 2010 hit Rum and Red Bull has more than 3.5 million views on YouTube.

The 41-year-old said he was confident about representing Team Reggae in the hotly contested battle kicking off on July 31 — tickets go on sale in April.

Q: You performed at Soca Vs Reggae back in 2008. Was that the last time you were in Bermuda? Are you looking forward to headlining the event again this summer?

A: Yes, that was the last time I was there, in 2008. Bermuda was always a favourite place of mine, a place that I love to perform. I have a nice audience and a large following over there and have a lot of fans over there.

Every time I come to Bermuda I try to make it a great event and do everything to the best of my ability. This year Soca Vs Reggae is going to be great. You know me, music is my life, the stage show is my life. So everything I do I do to the best of my ability, so Bermuda can only expect the best from me one more time.

Q: Do you have any standout memories from your times performing here?

A: There’s no moment that stands out. The fans remain the same everywhere in the world, but you do have different places and things that stand out for me in Bermuda.

Like the bikes and the way the city was built, it reminds me of Kingston. Those are the things that remind me of Bermuda and stand out in my mind. But everywhere you go the fans remain the same. The fans love music, they sing, they dance, the girls, dem get crazy.

Q: When you’re here and not on the stage performing, what do you get up to?

A: I ride bikes and visit my bredren them.

Q: Are you confident Team Reggae will take the crown home this year?

A: Girl, I am the King of the Dancehall you know. There’s no pressure.

Q: What about when it comes to soca music, are you a fan?

A: Of course I listen to soca music and I have a house in Trinidad actually. We set up roots there so I love soca music.

Q: You travel so much with your career. When you’re away, what do you miss most about home in Jamaica?

A: Well, I don’t miss home. This is the reason that I travel, so that when I come home I’m home, you understand? I travel to elevate my mind with different cultures and people. So when I am home, I’m home. Even if I am home for one day or two days, I cannot miss home because everything from home is with me, in my heart, my soul, my everything. So everywhere I go [that’s where my] home is.

Q: Do you have any favourite places you have been to?

A: The world is beautiful, but my favourite place isn’t where I have been to. It’s where I am right now. I go to places that have nice things like Trinidad with Carnival parade. That’s why I love home. I live it. If I like it, I want to stay.

Q: What do you like to do in your down time?

A: In my downtime I do what I’m doing now — watch TV.

Q: So would you say there’s any difference between the man everyone knows as “Beenie Man’”and yourself as Anthony Moses Davis?

A: There’s no difference really. Beenie Man sings on stage, Moses doesn’t sing every day. That’s the only difference.

Q: It’s safe to say you grew up in the music industry, playing drums and toasting from the age of five. Did you always know this was the path you would choose?

A: I started out singing from the day I was born so there was no more choice for me. I couldn’t think of anything else, because I was born to do this. If I wasn’t born with this I could give you another answer, but I was born with this talent.

Q: Of all the songs you’ve made and recorded which are you most proud of? And why?

A: Well, all right I am proud of my first album, my first [debut single] release Too Fancy and Who Am I because that was the song that crossed me over to the rest of the world. But I haven’t reached the goal that I am headed for yet, so I am still making music.

I still have a career path ahead of me on top of this one I have already established. I have to keep maintaining my career so it can go further and further, so you know I always love the first things that take me across the market.

My first record that I release is the first record that people listened to with me and for me. It was the first song that was received by the radio stations. So I love those things.

Q: You’ve already accomplished so much in your career, is there anything left you still want to do?

A: Everything that I already have. I have Grammys, MOBOs, I have European International Awards and African International Awards, American Awards and so many awards in the world. So all I have to do is do it again. That’s why I wrote the song Dweet Again. Of course, there is more to accomplish and more awards, new awards, that I haven’t been able to get yet.

Q: In another interview I read you like the music of Buju Banton. Are there any other young up-and-coming artists that you’re listening to right now?

A: Me not really actually listen to them. I follow my artists but with new and upcoming artists [I like] Popcaan and i-Octane.

Q: What do you hope you’ll be remembered most for?

A: That me was one of the greatest dancehall artists. I wouldn’t say I am the greatest. There were other greats that came before me like Shabba Ranks and Yellowman. I’d also want them to say I mashed up the place. That’s why people still book me. Over 22 years [of performing] and I’m still on top, it’s not an easy thing. I am the longest reigning dancehall artist, I can tell you that.

Q: What can people expect from your performance here this summer?

A: I can’t tell you what’s going to happen until it happens. Have you ever seen me any place and the place hasn’t mashed up? If you have experienced a Beenie Man stage show you know that I am coming there with my A-game. This is the legendary Beenie Man, the King of the Dancehall. I want the other artists to come and do their thing and I am going to do mine. It’s a serious game, entertainment you know.