BLVK H3RO

BLVK H3RO (pronounced Black Hero) is one of Jamaica's most exciting and original young artists, but he's far from new to the scene. Over the past half-decade, he's built an impeccable track record and fervent following with his uplifting and ambitious modern reggae sound, while collaborating with the likes of Bunny Wailer, UB40, Equiknoxx and Skillibeng. Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has even sung his praises, commending his song "It Nuh Easy" for its positive influence on Jamaican youth during a recent speech to the nation. Even if you haven't heard his music, you may have seen BLVK H3RO in ad campaigns for Carhartt, Clarks, Karl Kani, Levi's and The Elder Statesman, among other celebrated fashion brands. With his roots firmly planted in Jamaica's rich musical soil, he's ready to take his innovative sound and invigorating message to the world with his latest album, Man On a Mission.
Born Hervin Augustus Bailey Jr, young H3ro grew up in Waterford, a neighborhood in Portmore, Jamaica famed for producing the dancehall icon Vybz Kartel. The son of a Pentecostal deacon, he was playing drums and singing in his church's junior choir by age eight. He'd gain a different sort of musical education each December when Sting, the iconic Jamaican music festival known for its epic clashes, would unfold within earshot of his home.

After high school, he took a job at a bank in the hopes of funding his college education. "It was never in the plan to do anything musical," he recalls. However, he quickly tired of the corporate hustle, and decided that the 9-to-5 life wasn't for him. One fateful night, a co-worker who also happened to be a budding music producer invited him over to hear some riddims. The freestyle they recorded together that evening would ignite his creative energies, and inspire his new life as a recording artist. "I never looked back," he recalls.