Five years after relocating to Antigua and Barbuda, dancehall artiste Lybran, also known as Rum Boss, has expanded his entrepreneurial footprint with the opening of a Jamaican restaurant aimed at serving the island’s growing Jamaican community.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer, Lybran said the restaurant, Reggae Village, is located in Willikies, on the eastern side of Antigua, along the route to Long Bay Beach, just before the Devil’s Bridge turn-off.

Lybran (photo by Jamaica-Star.com)

Beaming with pride, the entertainer said the venture was born out of resilience, sacrifice, and a determination to survive.

“It was a lot of sacrifice and hard work. I had the drive and the right mindset, and nothing could stop me from getting this restaurant off the ground,” he told the Observer.

While the restaurant primarily caters to Jamaicans living in Antigua, Lybran said it has also gained strong support from Antiguans and visitors alike.

“Our food speaks volumes and our support has no limit. We have Jamaicans who are living here and Antiguans who support us as well. We’ve even had celebrities dining here, including members of the West Indies cricket team and football teams. Catering is also a big part of our business,” he explained.

Lybran revealed that the idea for the restaurant took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period he described as both challenging and transformative.

“My youngest child was born during that time in Antigua, and I had to find a way to provide. I asked God for a way out, and He gave me the idea to start a restaurant,” the artiste shared.

Originally from St Thomas, Lybran’s given name is Lamon Morvin Cousins. In addition to his business pursuits, he continues to remain active musically. He recently performed at Antigua’s One Nation Music Festival, held over two days in early January, alongside top acts including Capleton, Gramps Morgan, Mr Vegas, and Masicka.

Lybran said he was especially grateful to Morgan Heritage member Gramps Morgan, who invited him on stage for an impromptu performance of his song Rum Talk Part 3.

“I was surprised when Gramps called and said he wanted me to perform with him. We recorded a song together called Rumnesia on his 2021 Grammy-nominated album, but we had never performed together before. Knowing it was a big opportunity, I prepared myself to deliver my best,” he said.

According to Lybran, the performance surprised many in the audience who were unaware of his musical background.

“A lot of people here didn’t even know I was an artiste because I don’t do many shows in Antigua. After the performance, several people came up to express their appreciation and said they were shocked to see me on stage with Gramps,” he added.