Stefan Peninsilyn

Not wanting to be stereo-typed as just another festival song winner, Stefan Peninsilyn left Jamaica for the United States to achieve his dream of becoming a recognised artiste and songwriter.

In 2003, the artiste, real name Stavan Whyte, won the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Festival Song competition with Jamaican Tour Guide and again in 2004 with Ole Time Jamaica. He was also the winner of the Tastee Talent Show in 2001 and placed in the top 10 several times.

Peninsilyn credits both competitions for helping his career, as it was through them that he got well-needed exposure.

"Tastee set the foundation for me. What I learn from them help me win the festival. JCDC give me something under my belt. It help to bring my career on a different level," he told The Sunday Gleaner.

can do much more

However, Peninsilyn said he does not want to be categorised as merely a festival song winner, as he can do much more.

"That's why I take a break from Jamaica because it can become a stigma," said the artiste who now lives in the United States.

"People will believe that is only festival song you can do. Over here nobody nuh know nutten bout the festival if mi nuh tell dem. And the whole a wi caan stay a Jamaica cause some a wi ago stifle."

Before leaving for the US in 2006, he had several songs that got airplay, including Tek Book and Crime. However, he was not achieving all that he wanted. And he refused to sing about negative issues, despite their appeal.

"Mi nah go tell a man fi have a bag a gal and a bag a children, mi waan edify the people. Weh mi ago do a nuh everybody ago waan hear that," Peninsilyn said, while noting that he released a gospel album in 2007 called The Peninsilyn and will release another later this year.

He also has plans of writing books and plays. This, he believes, he would not have been able to do if he did not spread his wings.

"Everything weh mi really want a come out now. When mi a come back now, I am gonna come back with one a mi plays and a book," he said.

But all of this didn't come easily. Peninsilyn had to balance a day job at an auto-mechanic shop while honing his playwright and acting. Eventually, he started getting more gigs and he has been showing his plays, which he also acts in.

books, plays

His first play shown was a replica of a book he wrote called For Better For Worst. However, the book has not been released. He also did another play called God Over Obeah, which he wrote, directed and acted in. His other books include Poetic Love and Criticise. He also does some stand-up comedy.

Peninsilyn says he has no professional training in acting, writing or directing. What has been driving him is his innate creativity.

"I am just a creative mind and I always try to make a positive impact wherever I go. I go around plays and watch them and get a more professional approach on acting," Peninsilyn told The Sunday Gleaner, while noting that he has a company called Medikation Camp Entertainment.

He says the key to doing what he does is balancing everything properly.

"Mi have a nice staff weh a work with me and my other half assist me. Yuh always have people weh seh dem waan be a part of this. It kinda a lot, but the Almighty God gives me the strength, so sometimes it's like nutten," Peninsilyn said.

Now, he says he wants to step back into the Jamaican market and make his mark. The first thing he will do is release a song, Don't Run Mommy.

Peninsilyn returns home early next year to re-launch his two albums which were released in the USA. In addition, he will do some filming for the mini-movie version of For Better For Worst. He says he will also kick-off his Caribbean tour in Jamaica.