Intence Bridges Lagos and Kingston On His Debut Album, ‘Voyage’

Jamaican dancehall artist Intence has released his debut album, Voyage, via the legendary VP Records. 

One of the album’s leading songs is “Life,” his first-ever collaboration with an Afrobeats artist. Produced by Redboom Supamix, the track pairs Intence with Nigerian singer Bad Boy Timz, and centers on ambition and decision-making under pressure. Both artists reflect on work, experience, and the cost of progress on a dancehall-heavy riddim that creates the perfect foundation for them to speak their hearts and minds. Their verses measure success against the realities they come from, weighing gains against losses shaped by environment and circumstance.

“When mi hear the G verse, mi did affi pull it up like 3 or 4 times,” Intence tells OkayAfrica via e-mail, adding that working with Bad Boy Timz was a great experience. The Nigerian artist commented on Intence’s undeniable talent. “It was the first song I heard from his team, and it immediately resonated with me because I was navigating similar situations in my own life. Beyond that, it pushed me creatively, as it’s a genre I hadn’t worked in before, and I’ve always loved stepping into new challenges,” Bad Boy Timz told OkayAfrica. 

Released on January 1, Voyage continues a New Year’s Day tradition Intence began in 2018. The 16-track album debuted at No. 1 on the US iTunes Reggae Albums chart. It draws heavily from Intence’s upbringing in the Tavern district of Papine, Kingston, with recurring themes of ambition and consequence shaping the project’s emotional base.

Voyage premiered alongside a short film and music video directed by Aka Ruppi under the Now or Never banner. The visual release expands on the album’s themes and follows Intence’s 2025 EP, Sólo Chicas. That six-track project explored desire and heartbreak, and built on the momentum of his 2023 hit “SHH,” and setting the stage for his debut album.

Born Tashawn Gabbidon in Kingston and raised in Tavern, Intence grew up immersed in music through his father, Stephen “Fada Axe” Gabbidon, a sound system owner and artist. Early exposure shaped both his discipline and creative instincts. He became known for releasing music at a relentless pace and for pushing his voice to match the experimental leanings of his producers.

Intence first gained attention in 2017 with “Jett Life,” followed by tracks such as “Talker,” “Seh Dem Real,” and “Be Careful.” His 2019 breakthrough “Go Hard” marked a turning point, while songs including “Yahoo Boyz,” “Yeng,” “Heaven Passport,” “Clutcha,” and “NEW GEAR” cemented his status as one of dancehall’s most compelling modern voices. 

The collaboration arrives at a moment when creative exchange between Africa and the Caribbean has become increasingly visible. In recent years, Nigerian and Jamaican artists have deepened musical ties through shared rhythms, diasporic histories, and overlapping audiences. High-profile collaborations – from Burna Boy’s work with Popcaan and J Hus’ dancehall-inflected productions, to Wizkid’s long-standing engagement with Caribbean sounds – have helped position Afrobeats and dancehall as closely linked global movements. “Life” follows in this lineage, extending the conversation beyond the virtual world into shared experiences of aspiration and survival