Jesse Royal plays Reggae Rise Up at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 17, 2018. Credit: Chris Rodriguez

As a precursor to his upcoming slot at this year’s Reggae Rise Up (which has a lineup for the ages), Jesse Royal brings his lesson about the importance of human emotion.

In an interview promoting his second and most recent album Royal at the top of the decade, the 35-year-old Grammy Award-nominee mentioned how one of the record’s core messages is that it’s OK to be tough, but it’s also OK to be honest about the world being a shit place from time to time, which is pretty essential after the politically exhausting month we’ve just endured here in the States.

Ichroniq, Akiva, and Badda Skat open.

Tickets to see Jesse Royal play Jannus Live in St. Petersburg on Saturday, Jan. 1 are still available and start at $20.