Dipped in the sweet Jamaican waters
of the Rastafarian faith, Jamaican dancehall soloist Delly Ranx brings the Jamaican sound back to its roots as a message of hope and positivity. He performs at The Muse tonight.

Influenced by Haile Selassie I, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Buju Banton, Ranx (a.k.a. Delroy Foster) is set to release "Break Free" later this year. He said that dancehall fills a niche unique to rap and

hip-hop.

"Hip-hop music is fun and everything, but

sometimes you've got all these beats, and if a beef

is going on, you have a lot of violence. I'm not saying

reggae music don't have a lot of violence, but reggae

brings more fun to the table."

Originally from the south side of Kingston, Jamaica,

Ranx said Jamaica appeals to the world as a "special

island."

"You go out in the world and say you're from Jamaica, and people say, 'Wow I want to go there.'"

According to Ranx, that feeling has greased the rails for Jamaican dancehall musicians - dancehall is the more upbeat, dance-oriented cousin to reggae.

"Right now, when the world is looking at Jamaican music, most people look at Sean Paul or Beanie Man, so dancehall is getting the chance to go at the forefront right now," said Ranx. "Even though I'm not that big on Sean Paul or Shaggy, when I'm in places all over the world, people are happy for the music. So I'm happy. This artist

is from Jamaica and he's playing." - MG

I When: Wednesday, July 26, doors open at 9 p.m.

Where: The Muse, 44 Surfside Road

Cost: $20