Beyond the Music: Gemmar McFarlane Is Finally Betting on Himself
From a decade-long career in filmmaking to confronting his mental health, rediscovering his first love and embracing an unpredictable musical journey, Jamaican artist Gemmar McFarlane is ready to be heard on his own terms. With his latest release, “Take It Slow,” he is inviting listeners into a world that is as unapologetically authentic as the man behind the music.
For Gemmar McFarlane, the journey to music was never about becoming someone else. If anything, it has been about finding the courage to become even more of himself.
The Jamaican creative is a filmmaker, songwriter, actor and now recording artist, but beneath the growing list of titles is a man who insists that the person audiences encounter through his music is the same person they would meet off-camera. He is a self-described “dorky goofball,” known for saying ridiculous things, enjoying life and, apparently, rage-baiting his cat, Onyx.
“I strive to just simply be myself through it all,” he explains. “No matter where I go or how high I climb, I try to just relax and remain that dorky goofball.”
That playful personality, however, exists alongside a deeply ambitious and emotionally expressive creative. When it comes to his craft, Gemmar makes it clear that the jokes stop where the work begins.
“I don't ramp when it comes to my craft.”
It is a distinction that offers an interesting glimpse into the artist he is becoming: someone who can laugh at himself while taking his ambitions seriously, someone who embraces the ridiculous without compromising the meaningful.
The people behind the person
Gemmar's sense of self has been shaped by the people who have stood beside him throughout his life. Growing up as a sheltered pastor's child, he credits his parents with instilling the values, ambition and imagination that continue to guide him.
His father helped shape his strong moral foundation, while his mother contributed to his whimsical personality and tenacious drive.
Music, meanwhile, has been a lifelong affair.
His early musical education began with Roger Williams, Dean of the School of Music at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, who taught him piano on Saturday mornings. At the time, Gemmar was less than enthusiastic about sacrificing his cartoons for music lessons. His natural ability, however, made it difficult for those around him to let him walk away.
He later learned guitar from John Williams after joining the Spanish Town Methodist Church band and youth choir. At Ardenne High School, Ian Hird further developed his musical understanding, later teaching him again during his brief time at the University of Technology.
In more recent years, veteran songwriter and producer Mikie Bennett, OD, became a significant influence. What began as a request to write a corporate jingle turned into an invitation to join Bennett's team of songwriters.
That opportunity opened new doors, allowing Gemmar to write jingles and songs for companies and artists locally and internationally.
His journey, however, has not been one of solitary achievement.
Gemmar openly acknowledges the importance of his support system, particularly as someone who has lived with Type 1 bipolar disorder since high school.
He credits a strong community of friends, family and colleagues, alongside years of personal work and mental health practices, with helping him find stability.
“I can never say I did it all on my own, that would be a lie,” he says. “I am a walking amalgamation of everyone and everything in my life up to this point.”
It is an honest admission that adds depth to his story. Behind the humour and ambition is someone who understands the importance of community, self-awareness and maintaining balance while pursuing his dreams.
Eleven years in film, but music was always calling
For more than a decade, Gemmar built his career in filmmaking. It was a path that brought him experience, accomplishments and a deep love for the creative arts. Yet, despite his achievements, he eventually found himself confronting a difficult reality: he had reached a plateau.
This year, frustrated with his financial and professional trajectory, he began reassessing his options.
He started acting in movies, putting himself out there as an influencer alongside his cat, and exploring new ways to use his creative abilities. But one passion remained unfinished business - Music!
“I love film dearly and I can't be ungrateful as I've achieved much success there, but music was always my first love,” he says.
The decision to pursue music seriously was not an impulsive one. Gemmar had been writing songs since his days at Ardenne, building a catalogue of concepts and recordings that had remained untouched for years.
He began revisiting those songs, bringing them to life with a more mature perspective, an improved voice and access to modern tools and industry professionals.
The experience reignited something within him.
“I loved how it felt and it reignited my passion.”
With his filmmaking background, he already understood the importance of visuals and storytelling. Now, he was ready to apply those skills to his own musical journey.
For Gemmar, the decision came down to a simple philosophy: “Nothing beats a try than a fail. If a dirt, a dirt.”
It is a refreshing approach to an industry where many creatives spend years waiting for the perfect opportunity. Gemmar, instead, decided to create his own.
Patience, focus and the courage to be different
The entertainment industry is often quick to celebrate overnight success, but Gemmar knows that the reality behind the spotlight is far less glamorous.
His biggest lesson so far has been patience.
“Creative arts aren't an overnight success story much as it looks that way,” he explains. “We are usually working ourselves to dust and underpaid/underrated/underappreciated for years before anyone notices. Not months, YEARS.”
He understands that the public often sees the breakthrough without recognising the years of preparation that made it possible.
“I didn't pop out of nowhere, you just didn't see me.”
That perspective has helped shape his approach to the industry. He is ambitious, hardworking and stubborn about his goals, even if his unserious personality sometimes obscures those qualities.
His family, friends and mental health practices remain central to keeping him grounded. He also credits the habits and introspective practices he has developed over the years with helping him navigate pressure, anxiety and distractions.
For Gemmar, the ambition is not simply to be recognised. It is to build something meaningful while remaining true to himself.
And when it comes to what he has to prove, his answer is surprisingly personal.
“I have nothing to prove to anyone, only lots to share.”
The person he hopes to make proud is not a critic, an industry executive or even a fan. It is the younger version of himself who wrote songs after school and dreamed of becoming a star.
“I want to prove to that little boy that he was right in believing he could be a star. I want to give that little boy his Grammy.”
It is perhaps the most revealing statement of his journey: beneath the ambition is a desire to honour the dreams that first made him fall in love with music.
A Jamaican artist without a musical box
While Gemmar is currently finding an audience through R&B, he is not interested in being confined to a single genre.
He embraces Jamaica's musical heritage, but believes his own creative calling extends beyond reggae and dancehall.
His music is an exploration of emotions, experiences, hidden feelings and uncomfortable truths. He describes his songs as windows into his subconscious, offering listeners a glimpse into the parts of himself that may not always be visible.
“I always get goosebumps whenever I make a record because they aren't just songs to me,” he says. “They are all of my emotions, experiences, hidden feelings and uncomfortable truths manifested.”
R&B is where he has currently found a connection, but his catalogue and ambitions stretch into alternative rock, EDM and other sounds.
He is aware that this kind of experimentation may challenge listeners who come to expect a particular style from him. But he is not interested in making creative decisions based solely on audience expectations.
“It's way too early to do something as facetious as claiming one genre,” he says. “You'll get whiplash trying to study me.”
For Gemmar, this is the time to experiment, discover and grow. If that means losing fans along the way, he is willing to accept it.
“This is my journey and I'm not afraid to disappoint people by staying true to me.”
It is an approach that makes his emergence particularly interesting. Rather than presenting himself as an artist with a fully defined sound, he is inviting listeners to experience the evolution in real time.
“Take It Slow”: A lover boy with a different approach
That willingness to explore different sides of himself is evident in his latest release, “Take It Slow.”
The song is playful, sensual and built around a storyline that offers a glimpse into Gemmar's cheekier side.
Its inspiration came from an unexpectedly candid conversation. Curious about the word on the street regarding his performance as a lover, Gemmar asked some female friends to gather feedback from women he had been intimate with.
The reviews were generally positive, but one critique caught his attention: he sometimes did too much too quickly.
For someone who describes himself as a lover boy, the feedback was both confusing and amusing.
“I was so annoyed and confused because naturally, as a lover boy I like to take it slow and be passionate or romantic,” he recalls.
That conversation became the foundation for the song's fictional storyline.
In the world of “Take It Slow,” a woman sees the protagonist as little more than a late-night link. She calls when she is out with her friends, looking to end the night with some excitement. But when she arrives at his apartment expecting things to move quickly, he has a different plan.
This time, he is in control of the pace.
The character takes his time, introducing her to an experience that challenges her expectations and shifts the dynamic between them.
Gemmar's playful approach to the concept is unmistakable, but he is quick to distinguish the song's character from his own personal approach.
“Me personally, I'm very direct and a pleaser,” he explains. “I'm gonna learn what you like first and try a mixed approach until we find what is most synergistic to both our pleasure.”
His advice to men navigating the unpredictable world of romance?
“Stay nimble guys.”
The result is a song that balances humour, confidence and sensuality, while allowing Gemmar to explore a different dimension of his artistry.
The next chapter belongs to him
For all his ambitions, Gemmar is not interested in telling listeners exactly what to expect from him.
In fact, he believes expectations may be the very thing that limits the experience.
He wants audiences to approach his music with an open mind, ready to experience the different emotions, sounds and creative directions he has to offer.
“Expect absolutely nothing from me, keep an open mind and you'll have the best time with my music.”
His promise is not a particular genre or formula. It is authenticity, quality and an emotional journey.
“The only thing I can promise you is a good song, high quality international sound and an authentic emotional journey.”
As he steps further into music, Gemmar McFarlane represents a creative who is not afraid to challenge himself, revisit old dreams and embrace the uncertainty of a new beginning.
He has spent years developing his skills behind the camera, writing for others and learning the business of creativity. Now, he is stepping into the spotlight with a catalogue of stories, a clear sense of self and the determination to see how far his imagination can take him.
And while “Take It Slow” may introduce audiences to his playful, romantic side, it is only one part of a much bigger picture.
The man behind the music is still evolving. Still experimenting. Still dreaming.
And if Gemmar has anything to say about it, the world has only just begun to see what he can do.
