He was born in New Orleans, grew up between Bermuda and Canada, and went to music school in Florida - and right now 24-year-old Colin Harper is probably the biggest thing that has hit dancehall since Sean Paul. You may know him as Collie Buddz and tonight he is in Belize. Collie Buddz arrived early this afternoon for a concert in on Saturday night. Our 7NEWS team was at the airport and Keith Swift has the story.
[Clip of 'Come Around' Music Video]
Those four words have propelled Collie Buddz to international stardom. Today he arrived in Belize.
Collie Buddz, Reggae Artist
"It feels nice. I just came off the plane. I am looking forward to the show and everything. Its nice weather, beautiful weather, I was freezing up in the US so I am overdressed and everything but nice vibes so far."
Keith Swift,
Tell us about your background because when most people first heard you sing, they think you're black but you're actually white.
Collie Buddz,
"Background is Bermudian, definitely white. A lot of people when they hear the voice and they see the picture...I get a kick out of it. It is a joke thing."
Keith Swift,
White boys can sing.
Collie Buddz,
"Yes, you know what I'm saying."
But this white boy can more than just sing - Collie Buddz has done in months what it is has taken most veterans years to do - and that's to and cross over and achieve mainstream success.
Collie Buddz,
"When I first came into the industry, a lot of people said, like you said, they didn't know I was white and they were like how is this white boy from Bermuda getting signed to a label and singing reggae and what not. You got tot surround yourself with people that wish for success, no ulterior motives. That is how I got in."
Collie Buddz will perform on Saturday night, the same night as Bounty Killa. But he had nothing bad to say about Bounty - a man he grew up listening to Bounty Killa.
Collie Buddz,
"You know I can't compete with that. He is large."
Keith Swift,
Why should people come to your concert and not his?
Collie Buddz,
"Well I can't really tell them. It's all about the people's vibes. I would love for everybody to come to both shows but, how many people Belize got...enough to fill both venues right? Then we good."
So what can you expect at the performance?
Collie Buddz,
"Performing the tunes off the album, some brand new tunes that ain't on the album. So it is going to be a nice bash. The people have to come out."
[Short Performance 'Blind to Haters']
Collie Buddz performs in Belize City on Saturday and will be in Punta Gorda on Sunday.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
