Whether you're a fan of Reggae or not, you will probably have heard the tune 'She's Royal' on the radio, a ring tone or while out clubbing.

Tarrus Riley, the man behind the song's unique sound, is on the line-up for tomorrow night's showcase of Reggae talent.

Culture Shock is presenting the event Higher Heights, which is set to take place at Somerset Cricket Club.

Culture Shock events always deal with strictly conscious lyrics.

Also on the line-up is headliner Jah Cure, who is not to be missed, Demarco, who sings 'Falling Soldiers', C-Daynger and Roach Killa.

The backing bands are Iyah Cure and Black Soil, while the juggling will delivered by Three The Hardway, which includes DJ Donnie, DJ Gibbo and Blacka.

The night's emcee will be Richie B, who comes out of Jamaica's Hot 102 FM.

When The Royal Gazette interviewed Tarrus Riley last week, he had just flown into Jamaica from France and was leaving to fly for a concert in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands.

"It is kind of what I was working on, so I cannot complain and sometimes I feel a bit tired, but this is what I have been working on, so I hope I take it like a soldier," said Mr.Riley of his ever growing schedule and popularity. "I've been at it for sometime, since I was a little youth.

"His father, Jimmy Riley, was in the music industry for many years, he said: "So I was around music a long time before I even had an interest in music. I would sing, sing, sing for fun, it was a little joy, so I didn't have to struggle and I idolised them like Shabba and Buju with those kind of vibes.

"So them was my kind of role models at that time, because as a youth I could relate to them things.

"Mr.Riley started with DJing but eventually wanted to branch out.

"For me DJ'ing was kind of limiting, after a while you can only chat so much, you know. You have lyrics, but after a while they are saying, 'okay, no melody, no music.

'"So me just start say, I will look upon an instrument, because right now you have to learn more about music.

"For me it is to look upon like a trade, man. What is the musician's tool? An instrument is them thing, you know!"

He started with short-lived piano lessons. "It was like, chengya, chengye, I'm like God, what is that?" he said. "I am a street youth, and I know what me like because I express myself. Never send me back to that woman again. I went one day in my life.

"Many assume his hit 'She's Royal' is a love song or a man serenading his better half, but Mr. Riley explained: "Me write because of slavery, and then it is not even because of slavery and if you check from Christians, the woman never gets no love.

"In the Bible about Adam and Eve, it says, Eve caused it.

"Adam couldn't go by himself, he said Eve caused it. A serious woman. "

I say yo, you know me a Rasta youth and right now, me are going to big up woman, lift her self esteem, you know.

"Regarding the phenomenal success of the tune, he said: "You never know what people are going to like, until people like it. I mean, I am glad that it kick off and it wasn't really quick, it's been out for sometime now, you know.

"It is not my music alone, I write music for the people and it is a good thing. "

His life has changed? "All of a sudden, it is 'oh my God, it's Tarrus Riley'," he said

"My music is about positive vibes," he added. "It is free flow music, my reality, your reality and other's reality. Me nah try to offend no one, se'en."

And he wants the audience to appreciate him beyond his current hit. "Please listen to some of the other songs, because there are messages there," he said. "There are hit songs like 'Beware', there are so much other things.

"I really want to come, you know. I really humbly love and cannot wait to perform for you."

When he is not touring, writing, singing or recording, he chills with his brethren near the river in St. Thomas.

"We just reason, play the instrument, I'm not really fussing, I'm not really into clubs, so I do a natural thing, beaches and stuff they are my fun," he said.[AT]bodyfrank:Tickets are $85 in advance and $100 at the gate, available at People's Pharmacy, Music World and CJ's Fine Jewellers.

For more information on upcoming Culture Shock events visit: www.cultureshocklabel.com.