Byron Messia: ‘I will remain humble and keep putting in the work’

This interview originally appeared in Frontline Issue 002: The Declaration Issue, released in March 2024.

Declaration Issue cover star Byron Messia speaks to Frontline about his breakout single Talibans, his forthcoming album, and making music for the broken.

In the shadow of Mount Liamuiga, surrounded by rolling green rainforests, Byron Messia began making music in his bedroom in Saint Kitts and Nevis, mumbling melodies to be developed into dancehall hits. One track in particular would later become Messia’s musical declaration, initially gaining traction at home, before sweeping across Caribbean islands including Trinidad and Grenada, and erupting into a global smash.

The track was Talibans – the song of the 2023 summer – which became unavoidable through its virality, but more importantly through its infectious neo-dancehall melodies. Although, unpacking its title and lyrical content, it could be perceived as a ‘badman anthem’, its flavour still led to a surprisingly universal appeal, resulting in it reaching the Billboard 100 and the UK’s Official Charts Top 20.

A year later, Byron Messia has performed around the world, released his debut album, collaborated with Grammy-winning artists, and began work on his sophomore release. Speaking to Frontline, he reflects on his journey, from artistic declaration to what he envisions for his future. ‘I always had a love for music,’ he explains. ‘From a tender age, even as a toddler… it wasn’t until 2017 I became “island famous” – famous on the island of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Then, in the year 2023, I got my big break’.

At the time of Talibans’ conception, Byron Messia had a feeling he had a hit on his hands, as it was ‘different from every other song’ he’d created, but the magnitude of its success was something artists from his hometown would normally witness from afar. ‘I always knew that it would be big, you know? But I was never expecting it to be world-dominating big,’ he confesses. ‘When it was trending in Trinidad on TikTok, I knew for sure it was going to be a great song’.

Despite being inherently dancehall, showcasing creative elements synonymous with the genre, Talibans also incorporates Afrobeats sounds through its production from Kelly Beatz, Ej Fya and Spaceship Billy. Representing a new generation of artists who defy genre and refuse to be limited by categorisation, Messia’s intention is to make good music, regardless of the boxes people might try to put him in. ‘To me, I feel like there’s only two genres of music. There’s either good music or bad music’.

His debut album, No Love, was also released 2023, including a lot of what enables Messia to connect with his fans on a deeper level. Tracks like Vent – a prayer of desperation, posing questions about heaven, hell and heartbreak – touch on the pain a lot of his music is born from. ‘Thought you did make me in a heaven / But me wan’ know wha’ make me a live a hell / Me wan’ call you fi we vent / But you no use Flow nor Digicel / You say fi give them me trust and me heart / But me heart would a break if me give them / From earth me wan’ leave / Me can’t trust the people weh fi protect me’.

How intentional is this connection Byron Messia has built with his fans? ‘It depends on how one feels, still. I am human too, just like everybody else. I have a story to tell’. He adds, ‘music is from the soul as well. My music is for the broken, and for those who are not broken. For the weak it gives strength’.

Continuing to connect with fans globally, Messia has performed in the Caribbean, the US and over here in the UK, taking to the stage at the MOBO Awards earlier this year. ‘It was a wonderful feeling,’ he says, reflecting on the show. ‘A great experience for me… I loved it to be honest’. He’s also witnessed fans across the world singing along to his lyrics. ‘It’s a proud moment, you know? Sometimes I even get goosebumps’.

In the summer, Byron Messia will return to the UK to perform at Wireless – a stage he has touched before as a special guest, but this year his name is on the bill. ‘I was introduced on the Wireless stage with Popcaan – all the people were singing along. Now, we’re featured on the official Wireless line-up… can’t wait’.

2024 is also expected to bring Messia’s sophomore album, Sad and Famous. Its title suggests it will bring more personal stories, and the singles preceding it including La La, Ocean Eyes, Levelz and Attractive offer a familiar dancehall energy. There have been whispers of some pretty significant collaborations, with names like Chris Brown and Drake in the mix, but for now Messia is keeping his cards close to his chest, revealing little detail.

‘Expect the unexpected,’ he says. ‘Every day we evolve. Every day we’re making new music, we’re trying out different things… do expect some great collaborations on there, from artists that are well known as well, in the dancehall world and international’.

Speaking to Byron Messia, it seems he’s grateful for what he’s experienced thus far, and is doing his best to keep his feet on the ground. It’s also clear there is an ever-present pain that’s shaped him. ‘I’ve been through a lot,’ he explains. ‘Pain is one of the key factors for me to be where I am today’. His music almost serves as a spiritual outlet, allowing him to articulate the complexities of his world in a way that’s healing for himself and other people who may relate. ‘There’s billions of people that make up the world’s population… there are people that share the same story as me’.

As we speculate around the album, and wait to see if he can bring us the song of the 2024 summer, Byron Messia tells us to ‘expect more great music’, as he gets to work and exercises patience and humility. ‘I’m hoping that whatever comes my way is a great blessing for me, you know? Until then, I will remain humble and keep putting in the work’.

Interview by Patch Fennelly

This interview originally appeared in Frontline Issue 002: The Declaration Issue, released in March 2024.