Entertainer and producer, Imperial Alley Cat has long been an advocate for progress in his music as evidenced in his new single, Idling, which explores why young people are constantly confronted by regression in their daily lives.
Idling sums up the current status of Jamaica’s youth in a society which hardly affords them the opportunity to make something out of their lives and develop skill sets beneficial to the island’s development. Too many young Jamaicans are either jobless or uneducated, thus leading them astray into criminality, unwanted pregnancy or wandering the streets, all points Imperial Alley Cat illustrates in his plea to politicians to allow them quality opportunities.
“No work mek idle heads get hot, dem hungry so dem nah go tek no chat, go rob up Babylon, shoot it, drop, jus’ fi put some food inna pot,” he deejays as he implores the government to “stop di yappity yap,’ and act before the country’s future is continuously put at risk
The official video for Idling was released in late April and features cameos from friend and fellow prominent deejay, Mavado as well as his protégé, Karian Sang. It gives an eye-opening tour through Kingston’s inner cities, showing how deep this problem as he seeks to encourage young people to keep the faith and stay out of trouble as they try to help themselves and their families out of difficult situations.
Known for songs like Why, No More Garrison and Days Like These, Imperial Alley Cat has proven he is a champion for poor people’s causes and uses his lyrics to make people conscious of their reality instead of numbing their minds with fantasy. Idling is a cry to ensure that every young person’s potential is fulfilled and to truly make Jamaica reach unlimited heights.
