Specialist: The Jamaican Idol Interview
on December 9th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Think 2009 American Idol. Think Adam Lambert, who came in second place only to have worldwide fame and success. Now, think Jamaica.
While their genres span opposite ends of the music spectrum, Dancehall deejay, Specialist and Lambert have similar beginnings.
The 21 year old is blowing up after receiving second place in Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall Competition – a competition synonymous with American Idol and The X-Factor.
On Tuesday, Specialist chatted with me over the phone for an exclusive MusicSkins’ interview, and I think you might want to hear what this Dancehall breakout star has to say.
Lauren: Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Specialist: I’m 21 years old, and I started writing songs when I was 14 – my freshman year. I grew up in a bad, ghetto area – I avoided trouble by staying in and writing songs.
Lauren: Who is your inspiration and who do you aspire to be?
Specialist: I have a lot of encouragement from friends and other artists. I want to be known in Jamaica and worldwide. I like Shaggy – I want to have his international appeal.
Lauren: What upcoming show are you most excited about?
Specialist: December 26 – I’m very excited about [performing at] STING 2011. It’s the biggest annual show in Jamaica so it will be a breakout show for me.
Lauren: How would you describe your music?
Specialist: I write songs about my real lifestyle. They’re a reflection of my experiences growing up.
Lauren: You won second in Magnum Kings and Queens Dancehall Competition. What did you get out of this experience?
Specialist: When I started [the competition] I wasn’t as recognized as I am now. [Throughout the competition] I wrote all my own songs. My songs are classified more as culture music – that’s not as mainstream, and in the competition, songs were more reggae.
Lauren: You just shot your new video for your single “Street Hustle” – where is the most exciting place you have filmed?
Specialist: “Street Hustle” was shot in Spanish Town, downtown Kingston and in my community’s central village. Downtown Kingston and Spanish Town was really exciting.
Lauren: Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself?
Specialist: I’m a very cool kind of guy. Some people would say I’m shy. But I like to stay by myself, and I like to be somewhere quiet, where I can meditate and write.
While Specialist is a Jamaican native, his music is far from Bob Marley’s relaxing “Don’t Worry Be Happy” lullabies, and is better classified under -what I describe as – Jamaican rap. And rather than follow in Marley’s footsteps, Specialist looks up to Shaggy (“That Wasn’t Me”), who is No. 1 on Urban Islandz’ list of “Top 10 Richest Reggae/Dancehall Alive Artists” with a net worth of $22 million dollars.
The Down Sound Records’ artist has not let second place hold him down. In fact, it looks as if it only spurred more motivation. In September, he was No. 4 on Entertainment Report charts after he released his new single “Street Hustle,” which is a reflection of his life.
Check out new Specialist skin at www.musicskins.com/category/reggae/specialist.html