Reggae and dancehall star Wayne Wonder has lost track of how many times he has performed in Bermuda, particularly around the Cup Match holiday.

“It has been a minute since I was last there,” Wayne Wonder said.

He will be headlining tomorrow night at the Big People’s Party at Snorkel Park Beach in Dockyard.

In the past 25 years, he has sung all over the world, before crowds as large as 90,000. The world falls away when he steps on to the stage.

“Performing is where I get my therapy,” he said. “I feel so joyful and just want to have fun. I have been doing this for so many years now and have learnt so much. It’s just amazing.”

He grew up in Portland, Jamaica, in the Eighties. Dancehall and reggae were all around him.

“I just gravitated towards it,” he said. “It inspired me to be an artist.”

The early days of his music career were sometimes rough. He didn’t have family or friends who could help smooth his way into the industry.

“I had to do it through sheer determination,” he said. “I had to keep showing up. Time is the master and I kept pushing.”

He was eventually introduced to the sound system world at Metro Media in Allman Town, Kingston. He began singing live on the sound system on a weekly basis. He was made Metro Media’s resident sound system singer and was able to perform all over Jamaica.

One of Wayne Wonder’s first songs was a cover of Rick Astley’s 1987 hit song Never Gonna Give You Up, which he recorded as Never Gonna Let You Down for famed music producer King Tubby.

“I got more exposure and started recording more,” he said.

Today, he is best known for songs such as No Letting Go, Bonafide Love and Bounce Along. In 2004, his album No Holding Back was nominated for a Grammy. Another of his songs, No Letting Go, was certified platinum in October 2024.

The music scene is always changing.

“When I started out, there were a lot of live sound systems,” he said. “That was where you got the chance to express yourself and practise. Now a kid can just get a laptop, record themselves and put it out with no coaching or guidance.”

He feels lucky that he was able to get direction from various producers.

“They would say do this or that,” he said. “They would say that note is sharp, or that note is flat. They went hard at you and you fixed it.”

He said social media has provided opportunities for many emerging artists, but it has its negatives.

“It gives you the algorithm,” he said. “That doesn’t last though. You go viral and then social media is on to the next thing.”

Wayne Wonder believes that the human connection through a live concert lasts much longer.

Constant travelling is one of the biggest challenges of his career.

“You just have to have the right mindset to deal with it,” he said.

The artist is on the road for almost the entire year.

“I’m constantly busy,” he said. “I have so many songs in my catalogue over the years that can relate to life, whether it is for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. I am always getting booked for shows.”

Most recently, he sang at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! at Prospect Park in New York before 30,000 people, then did another concert on Long Island for 30,000 more.

“We have been busy this summer,” he said.

Despite the demands, he has never lost his passion for music.

“If you do something and you are tired of it, that means you don’t love it,” he said. “I love it so much and with so much passion that I don’t ever have that feeling. When I hear music, I get joyful. That is where my energy comes from.”

He tours with a close-knit team that includes back-up vocalists and his wife, Jackie.

“We are a full team,” Wayne Wonder said. “When I come, I’m giving you a show. Everyone that is part of the team plays a role. My wife is part of the company and does all of the behind-the-scenes stuff.”

They have a daughter and a son, and celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary this month.

“We have been together for ever,” he said.

Preparing to return to Bermuda this week, he promised fans a full experience.

He told Bermuda: “Make sure to get ready for a Wayne Wonder experience.”

Organiser Teiko Furbert, of Epic Entertainment, said the concert is a great way to kick off the Cup Match holiday.

“The event will also feature Stone Love, one of Jamaica’s most established sound systems, and will include Bermuda-based selectors Young Gunz, Black Star, Papa Lenny and Jake,” Mr Furbert said.

The night will conclude with fireworks.

“This show reflects the level of entertainment we wanted to offer for this occasion,” Mr Furbert said.

A ferry service will be available from Hamilton to Dockyard and back on the night.

• Tickets and ferry information are available atepicbda.com