Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Omaall 'Majah Bless' Wright. - Contributed

Nothing tried, nothing gained is something Omaall 'Majah Bless' Wright is taking to heart. He gave up one of the most secure jobs as a teacher to enter perhaps the most vulnerable of jobs - as a singer. He is trying to make it big through the Jamaican Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Popular Song Competition.

"Nothing will be achieved without sacrifice. People have to be able to go for what they want rather than coping with what will make them miserable in the long run," Majah Bless said. "It is a musical empire I plan to build. I am just following the dream."

Ghetto boy

As he states in the chorus of the song he wrote for the competition (Hey Jamaica), he is a ghetto boy trying to make it to the top by trying to achieve all he desires. The song also speaks about other Jamaicans who have made it big on the world stage. They serve as inspiration for Majah Bless.

"Is it my way of paying homage to prolific ones like Asafa Powell, Ragashanti and Ibo Cooper," Majah Bless said.

Over the years, the JCDC Popular Song Competition has helped many artistes gain exposure, and Majah Bless is hoping it will do the same for him. A win would be great, but Majah Bless is prepared to accept whatever exposure he gets.

"It doesn't even feel like a competition to me. I am not one to go around the studios and bleach. I am just hoping I will get noticed and somebody will eventually want to sign me," Majah Bless said.

Despite the desire to be a recognised name in Jamaica, the stage is not new to Majah Bless. His love for performing began in high school when he collected national gold and silver awards at the JCDC speech and drama competitions.

Drama teacher

In 1997 he enrolled in the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts in order to pursue a career as a drama teacher. In the years that followed he appeared in over 13 plays, numerous television and radio ads, and the Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley Turn Your Lights Down Low remix music video, among others.

All this comes along with starring in his own Feel The Breeze music video, the song for which he made the top 10 of the JCDC Popular Song Competition in 2001. He also received the Golden Pen Award for excellence in Songwriting at the Scott-Anderson Songwriting Boot Camp.

With all these credits, Majah Bless said there is no reason to believe he will not make it.