Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Serani - Ricardo Makyn

One of dancehall's hottest new artistes, Craig 'Serani' Marsh, has signed a two-album deal with Japan label JVC Entertainment.

The producer, now turned singer, says, "It's exciting for me because since I took the decision to add singing to my repertoire, the response has been great."

Serani gained public recognition as a singer when his voice featured in Mavado's Dying. Helater moved on to collaborate with Bugle on their mega hit single, DOH.

After reaping success there, Serani went on to record a number of other hit songs, among them, Stinking Rich, She Loves Me and Study People.

According to Serani, "People have taken on to my songs very quickly, which I am very thankful for."

Now, as Serani focuses his attention on his new two-album deal in Japan, he will be moving full speed ahead to ensure the success of these albums. He admitted to being, "very very driven, when it comes on to music whichever aspect I am devoted to, making dancehall and reggae bigger worldwide."

The 11-track album, which will be the first of two, is entitled Serani - The Future and will be released exclusively in Japan in May. It will feature all of the hits that have rapidly driven Serani up the dancehall ranks, such as DOH featuring Bugle, Stinkin' Rich and She Loves Me.

According to a release issued by Serani's management team, "Japan is one of the few places people still actually buy CDs and is a major market for dancehall. And Serani will be going on a promotional tour of Japan to support the album at the end of June."

Already very active on the live scene, Serani is currently off the island on a promotional trip to Florida. He is later expected to make stops in New York's Borough of Manhattan Community College to perform there on Friday night.