Every June reggae lovers can expect Culture Shock to bring the music to the ears of people on the Island and this year is no different.

And this year, the line up for the 'Peace inna de Streetz' show includes reggae superstar Tarrus Riley, Assassin, Bugle, Christopher Martin, G-Whizz Ninja Cutty and Jade.

The Royal Gazette caught up with Tarrus Riley while he was recording tracks for his upcoming album.

The artist, who was responsible for mega hit 'She's Royal', said over the last year he has been promoting his latest album 'Contagious', which features tunes like 'Good Girl Gone Bad'.

When asked about being honoured in the Reggae Academy Awards, Mr. Riley said although it was nice getting the awards, it wasn't the "be all and end all".

"The plaques are nice and they are nice to see, but I really give thanks that the people them love the music, that's a big reward and people coming to concerts, that is the bigger award for me."

Asked, with all the fame, how are you keeping yourself grounded, he said: "I'm grounded you know, I'm into the music, I am not really into the fame part of it. You know what I mean?

"I'm into making music and I want to be here as long as I can be here and as long as life is in my body.

"I make music to make people feel good, I just sing a song and people feel nice. I'm here; I'm doing what I love."

When asked if he ever thought he would have become this popular, he said: "Well, who knows, I'm into music, I'm not into thinking about being popular, I'm just getting used to that stuff, I'm just making music."

His album 'Contagious' was released last August and he described it as a great album with a variety of different tempos and songs.

"You have love songs, you have roots songs," he said. "It's a nice album. I really like it a lot. There are hit songs like 'Good Girl Gone Bad', 'Start Anew', I am really proud of it."

Since his first album was released in 2004, he says he has been to lots of different countries. "I can't even remember where, but I've been all over the States and all over Europe. I'm just making music and trying to hit as many ears as possible I want all the ears."

On his writing process, the singer, who is the son of reggae veteran Jimmy Riley, explained that writing was like breathing to him. "I always write. When am I not writing?"

"Sometimes I write with music and sometimes without, you know. I play a little bit of instruments. I cannot really tell you how I write, it is like an ancient Chinese secret and the Colonel doesn't give away his recipe. I can't really tell you, but I just work off of vibes."

When asked what the Bermudian patrons could expect on his second visit to the Island, he simply said: "They can expect a lot of energy and they can expect the songs that they know and new songs, and they can expect a young man singing from his heart and giving you message music and still entertaining, you know?

"That is what they can expect. Upper class vibes, I'm into class and I'm into quality."

Tickets for the event at Snorkel Park on Saturday are $100 in advance and are available at People's Pharmacy, Music World, CJ's Fine Jewellers, Steel City and Destiny's Nails. Tickets $125 at the gate.

Gates open at 8 p.m. showtime at 10 p.m.

A ferry leaving Dockyard for Hamilton leaves at 3.30 a.m.