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Nineteen-year-old fast-rising international reggae artiste Yung Lion is thrilled at fulfilling his 'childhood dreams' from releasing his first EP to making his debut on Reggae Sumfest 2024.

The American-Trinidadian teen, given name Christian Lowhoy, told THE STAR that his unique, strong Caribbean-infused sound was highly impacted by Jamaican musicians and moulded by the Marleys. Yung Lion shared that he grew up listening to 90s dancehall from Buju Banton, Cham, Bounty Killer and Ninja Man but he's 'fully influenced' by the Jo Mersa, Stephen and Damion Marley, which impacted his highly anticipated EP, titled, Lion Up.

"I actually grew up around the Marleys. Jo Mersa was my mentor and the one who taught me on the foundation of music. So whenever I used to get in my feelings and be down, he'd say 'Yow, lion up yout'," he giggled. "And [due to] the different emotions throughout the whole EP, I just [applied] the name because that could be used in any situation, even if you're down or your up - 'lion up'. It's just a phrase that he used to use with me all the time, suh mi jus tek it and mek it into something that the world can understand." He described the EP as a "melting pot of different sounds and styles", transcending a variety of genres from Caribbean fusion to reggae, rap and hip hop.

He said the eight-track EP will be launched on Friday at the TGL Lounge in Twin Gates Plaza, and is expected to "bring joy, peace and love back to music without the violence and vulgarity".

The teen is also excitedly anticipating his inaugural performance at 'Jamaica's largest reggae festival'.

"I thought it was a lie because when I got the call, I was like, 'No, no way. Me? Sumfest?' It was just a whole bunch a emotions going through my mind. I was happy, I was crying but it was tears of joy because this was a childhood dream that I had; and now that I'm there, I'm really happy. It's my first time ever, even being to the festival too. I'm just really excited," the bubbly artiste shared.

Apart from wanting to make his stamp on the event, he is mostly looking forward to sharing his lion up message.

"Everybody affi lion up and women lioness up. Yuh don't have no barrier to lion up and everybody a guh see that through the music because after the new music through the EP, you will get the full force of lion up," he said, while highlighting that he started his professional music career at age 15.

Yung Lion said his family is also a main motivating factor which fuels his drive for success because his main aim is for them to be "comfortable" from the results of his work. His father, who is also his manager, is rooted in every step of his journey and promised to ensure his son remains 'humbled' and guided positively, despite the rapid pace in which he is 'roaring' to stardom.

"Finding my own sound - that was the real hard part. It's a whole bunch a influences so I had to sit there and find who I was. Everything else was a breeze because I grew up watching [several] performances - Damion Marley, Buju Banton, Machel Montano because that's all I wanted to do so I was trying to perfect it," the I Don't singer shard.

He promised that despite the current trends, he will manage to stay relevant and a cut above the rest because his music is "gonna be positive, with no vulgarity but with messages that will impact the world".

As he looks to the future, his next move is to release an album.