If living on the edge was a person, it would be James Lawrence, this young Jamaican rapper/hip-hop

artist is the absolute personification of his moniker ‘EDGE’ Growing up in Mount Edgecombe,

Runaway Bay, St Ann, Lawrence adopted the performance name EDGE as not just a symbolic tribute

to his home ground but also an ironic ode to how he lives his life. He was given the name after a

chance encounter with Reggae music legend Beres Hammond. At the time, Edge went by the name

Semaj which is his first name spelt backwards. However, Beres Hammond saw a definite edge in his

music and suggested the name change. His music classifies him as a lyrical genius with a modern and

edgy flair in how he executes his musical projects.

The talented youngster sustained severe burns caused by a fire to his torso in his youth. The

traumatic ordeal could have tragically ended his life, but he survives and uses the experiences as a

reminder to live a purposeful life. As such he promised himself not to ever be fearful of failing or

falling and it is through this perseverant nature that he fights to hold on to his dreams of leaving a

legendary mark on the world with the messages in the music he writes and records. 

Owning the mantra, “thoughts become things” EDGE is walking a path through manifestations of

success daily. Growing up he wanted to become the prime minister of Jamaica, an electrical

engineer, or a psychologist but, knocking the tops of desks with pencils to make contagious beats

during school was the only constant. Edge attended the Runaway Bay All-Age School, William Knibb

High School, and Ocho Rios High School where he was known for his infectious desk beats.

Since fulfilling his primary and secondary education, the multi-talented youngster has become an

‘educator of self’, learning how to produce, direct, shoot and edit audio-visuals. He also styles and

creates concepts for music videos which he shoots with a digital camera and drone.

Edge’s entire lifestyle has never been average. At one point, he was rollerblading for fun, then

moving on to honing skills on the electric one-wheel skateboards, which transitioned into a stream

of income when persons contracted EDGE to perform in music and promotional videos. Then being

the thrill-seeker he is, he began riding motorbikes and ended up participating in shoots for Nike and

High Snobiety. In addition to music, Edge wears the titles of professional skater and stunt rider. 

Edge was first exposed to Jamaica’s sound system culture through family and dancehall and a wide

range of other musical genres was always within his surroundings. Through the influences of his

brother, who tuned in to the hip-hop genre and culture, he developed a liking for lyrical art, and it

sparked an interest in creating hip-hop/reggae/dancehall fusion music of his own.

EDGE can tell a story through recording verses over catchy melodies and express freely what his soul

relishes. His music variates between hip hop, reggae and dancehall, and at times it is meticulously

hip hop and rap. In his own words when rapping he feels like ‘a reincarnation of 2 PAC’, who is one

of his musical influences. Other musical influences include Bob Marley, Vybz Kartel and Akon. “When I couldn’t find any music that could appease my soul, I started making

music for myself until other persons became interested in my creations,” he shares.

There is something erudite about EDGE, but that’s the nature of the Capricorn who was born on

December 27, 1994. Persons from this zodiac are known to elevate style to an art and are practical

and down to earth. Once on a mission to achieve their goal, they are usually successful through

sheer hard work and dedication to their cause. Reading The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus

Garvey and Selected Writings and Speeches of Marcus Garvey, “opened my eyes to reality” says

EDGE, who in the juvenile stages of life, tried to be normal and take the traditional route to pursue a

career. However, in his readings, he happened upon some particular words to live by as said by

Marcus Garvey himself, “Let no voice but your own speak to you from the depths. Let no influence

but your own raise you in times of peace and time of war. Hear all but attend only that which

concerns you.” “It spoke to me, that I am who I am not who others say I am, and I do not fit into

any box,” asserts EDGE.

EDGE’s enduring mission, though navigated by music, is to help raise the energy of the people to a

more unified community and on a conscious level contribute to the advancement of the Jamaican

nation, and eventually proliferate on a global level. He hopes through all this to write and record

music that will connect soul-deep to those who listen. He has previously released three albums,

‘Slave’, ‘Alone’ and ‘From The Stars’ interspersed with a catalogue of singles such as ‘Nobody’,

‘Never Giving Up’, and ‘Rollerblades’. He was also featured on the local broadcasting station, CVM,

‘Top 10 Central Expression Upcoming Artiste’. The audio-visual productions for ‘Pop’ and ‘1994’, will

soon be released. He also aims to be the owner of a record label within the next 5 years.

With all that he has set out to accomplish and all that he is working towards, James Lawrence will

forever be living life on the EDGE.