Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2017 | Page 244

ORieL
F
or international reggae artist Oriel, 2016 was
a year of insight, musical growth and triumph
over adversity. "Confidence" was the key,
music was the doorway.
After releasing "Confidence 2.0" and "Love SoulJah"
EPs, and various successful singles, Oriel is presently
at work finishing the yet untitled album, and in the
interim has released the lead single "People Say".
Produced by the Afar Music Group production team
consisting of Oriel, Ludwig Grant and Lloyd Willacy,
"People Say" was written by Oriel and tells of a tale as
old as time... Love! The artist’s melodious and honey-
coated raspy voice laid to the R&B infused beat, sings
of perseverance through people's skepticism of one's
relationship, '. . . people say its never gonna last but I
believe in us so let the people talk..''
Speaking on the song, Oriel stated, "Love is an emotion
that connects all humans, no matter the race, creed or
class, it is a uniting feeling. We can all relate at one point
or another in our lives."
Further adding "I sing of real life, from social conscious
matters to love, People Say is one of the aspects of my
upcoming album, just like it is one of the aspects of life.."
The single is presently on rotation worldwide, https://
soundcloud.com/afarmusicgroup/oriel-people-say
Oriel Barry was born in Wesley, Dominica.
Growing up, he was part of a drum band and
was an active member of his school and church
choir. Undoubtedly that was where he discovered
and started to develop his passion for the art of
music.
Having experimented with the sounds of music,
his first serious involvement occurred when he
migrated to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and in 2005
formed the sound system vybz Machine with
friends. Oriel quickly settled in and earned his
right as a popular club Dj and talented Studio
Engineer. He is also one of the best Graphic
Designers in the region.
Oriel describes his music as ‘’Reggae/Fusion’’
which is mostly reggae fused with the sound
of Jazz, RnB, Rock, Blues and Hip Hop. Having
mastered the art of production, he has since then
worked with local and international recording
artists such as Richie Stephens, Bugle, Raine
Syville, RDX, Voicemail, Anthony Cruze, Konshens,
Wayne Wonder and Chris Martin to name a few.
He has also graced the stage opening up for the
likes of Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, Luciano, Fortunate
Youth and New Kingston.