When rock meets hip-hop, after dancing with reggae and mingles a bit with pop, what is the outcome? The answer can be described in one word, Greatness. This is what I thought after listening to the fresh new sounds of American born, Jamaican artist Jason “Fisherman” Scott. Fisherman was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts to Jamaican born parents. The younger of two, Fisherman was raised in a single parent home heavily influenced by his mother's Jamaican culture.

When asked about his childhood, Fisherman recalls his mother always pushing him to do his best at whatever he did. Fisherman says that, success is important to the Jamaican culture and succeeding in whatever one puts their mind to do. “Being stubborn, I did not always have success in everything; but when I found what I loved to do, I applied the principle in full force.”

Fisherman was first introduced to dancehall music after hearing a few of his sister's records. “Taste Record's was a little music shop down the street from my house and it was there that I bought my first 45.” After developing a relationship with the owners of the store, Fisherman found a spot where he could record. However, it was not until 1992, when he wrote his first song and performed. “I wrote the song for my aunt who was getting married and I performed it at her wedding. After the performance, all of my family supported me to continue doing music. The energy that I felt when sharing this gift with people made me certain that this was what I wanted to do.”

Early in his career, Fisherman began to do shows at local clubs and opened up for dancehall recording artist, Spragga Benz and the Born Jamericans. In 1999 after returning to Springfield from visiting Jamaica, Fisherman felt as though his career was finally taking off. However, after a conversation with his then manager, Mascino Simpson, Fisherman realized it was headed in the wrong direction. “ I was in Jamaica recording and writing music and when I got back, I shared some of the songs I wrote with my manger at that time, Mascino Simpson. After listening to the tracks, he told me he felt that was not truly reflecting who I was and definitely not reflecting who God was. It was at this time that I felt compelled to know God for myself and then could truly reflect who he was in my life through my music, on a more conscience level.”

During this time of change, Fisherman not only changed his lyrical content but he was also changing his lifestyle. “I ended up losing many friends; they just did not understand why I was seeking a change.” Not letting this discourage him, Fisherman continued to press forward, moving towards a better lifestyle. “The loss of friends allowed me to see which friends were truly friends, but most of all it gave me a time to reflect a great deal on what life and my life in particular was all about. I began to write from a new level of consciousness.” For Fisherman there was a level of comfort in knowing that he was no longer writing music to fit in, but rather was truly being creative and writing from within.

When not in the studio Fisherman loves being the center of attention. As a very easy-going, down to earth guy, Fisherman finds it easy to relate to people and different life experiences. With tracks that are fresh and innovative, his music pushes a powerful message of hope, self-acceptance and change. “My audience is the world. I desire for all to hear, receive hope and experience change, from listening to my music.”