Deyah Magazine Issue #1 Dec 2018

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new releases 

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DEYAH MAGAZINE 

4.

DECEMBER 2018 #ISSUE 1 

CONTENTS 

07 ANDREW FRESH 

TALKING DE BUSINESS 

11 NAILAH 

THE SOCA PRINCESS - PART 1 

15 DANCEHALL HONIES 

18 LISA MERCEDES 

TOO HOT FI DEM 

22 LAVAMAN 

THE JAB KING 

26 CHARTS 

UK HYPE REGGAE/DANCEHALL TOP TEN 

27 GOVANA 

MR ONE & MOVE 

31 FASHION 

FASHION ADVENTURES OF A DIVA 

5.


This year has seen the emanation 

of female contenders on a male 

dominated space. These females 

are filled with style, sauce and the 

lyrical vocabulary to match their male 

counterparts, so it was only fitting to 

give the front cover to Lisa Mercedez. 

She has been flying the dancehall 

female flag for quite some time with 

tremendous passion and dedication. 

Articles - AC Christie and Mr Wondah 

Photos - Bampson and larri Biggs 

Proof readers - Tiffanya and Dilikkle Brownras Likkle Miss Dainty 

Designer - Yomi 

Creatives - Escapism NLPR and Tricia Blake 

Fashion segment - Tricia from Diva choice 

Brands features - Diva choice, Goshy (OMG), NO BHVR, House of Mian 

BTS - JiggaDMedia 

6.


ANDREW 

FRESH 

TALKING DE BUSINESS 

Written by: Mr Wondah 

After over 30 years in the business what as been the most difficult 

challenge in remaining relevant for so long and still be in demand. What’s 

the secret of your success? 

Well the most important thing is called evolution; you have to move along 

with the time. Basically, it makes no sense playing music for a generation 

that’s 20 years ago and still doing that now those people are not coming 

parties anymore, so you have to play music for who’s in front of you. If it’s a 

younger audience you just play the songs, they like. You are never too old to 

learn even from the kids, if you go to a Christening or a wedding sometimes 

its the little kids that request some songs that put you on to a song. 

You seem to keep building and keep moving is this apart of your strategy to 

expand your brand? 

Well as I said we are just trying to move with the times and obviously I want 

the name to live on, we want the new generation to know the name Andrew 

Fresh and the brand that’s called Andrew Fresh/Lard Gellies. 

The brand Andrew Fresh is worldwide; people might not understand the 

early sacrifices you’ve made, tell us about the start of the journey up to 

now? 

It all started back in Jamaica with a sound called Hollywood sound system 

that’s my father sounds, I was about 12 years old when I started doing it 

professionally, not just playing music for fun but to actually put food on the 

table for the family. My mother wasn’t happy at times but my father would 

take me put me to sleep in the van until it was my time to play, then I’d go 

and play then back to sleep on the way home. 

7.


Started from Jamaica transferred to the UK London and having to start 

building again, from a UK perspective what were the challenges you faced 

doing that? 

Put it this way a good listener is a good learner, so the most important thing 

once I got here was to go certain places find a spot look listen and learn. 

As soon as I got here I met up with a couple friends and stuff like that, they 

brought me to a couple of spots, even on the first night here I was thrown in 

the deep end at a house party so I had to just use my experience to get the 

job done and that’s how it really started. 

Lard Gellies sound as been central to your development here in the UK, how 

did that link up come about and what’s the arrangement with the brand 

Andrew Fresh and the team now? 

The link up came through one of my cousins, he had a sound system 

called Remus, more of a house party sound. One day he took me to a 

Friday nightspot called Walmer Castle in Peckham where Lard Gellies was 

playing. Listening and watching them I loved the vibes, it so happened they 

mentioned they needed a selector for the sound and invited me back to the 

club the following weekend and at that time Lard Gellies was like a sleeping 

giant. So from that weekend it was like a military takeover. 

How is the relationship between you and Lard Gellies. 

The relationship is quite good nothing has really changed; you know in every 

relationship you have your ups and downs but it’s good I’m still Lard Gellies. 

As a Dj/Selector sometimes it’s quite hard to get a crowd moving, how do 

you win over a hard crowd/get them moving? 

Well to be honest in terms of challenge I’m not going to say at time I don’t 

get challenges but always comes down to experience, if I go somewhere and 

my first three songs don’t work obviously, I’m not going to stay in that lane 

I’d be stupid. The next thing when you go into a party you need to read the 

crowd, it makes no sense you go into a party with elderly and play young 

people music. You have good days and off days, I don’t always take the dance 

but I can’t remember a dance that I didn’t make move. 

What party stands out in your memory where you made the music move the 

people and had you like wow? 

There are so many of those but to pick, we use to do a night at Chicago’s 

called More Fire on a Sunday I don’t remember the specific people that 

was there but I know Tony Matterhorn and Sky Juice was there and I can 

8.


remember I played a round (set) in which you could feel the building literally 

shaking. 

Coming from the home of dancehall and reggae living in the Uk, how do 

your peers see you when you take the music back home? 

At first it was difficult, for example when sound/ Dj from Jamaica come to 

the UK we give them all the love for them to do a good job but when you go 

Jamaica its a totally different ball game. Most times they don’t want to give 

you more than 10/15 minutes that’s if they even let you play but that was at 

first, we’ve now made our mark, so we are known and are more like one of 

them. 

Why do you think dancehall doesn’t quite have that same level of industry 

status hip-hop or RnB? 

Because of our behaviour and I think the police themselves are enemies to 

dancehall, I’ve been in so many meetings with them they are not willing to 

help us they don’t even want to hear about dancehall. There’s no platform to 

even put dancehall on. In terms of moving forward the authorities mind-set 

against dancehall needs to change. 

Where do you see the business in 

10/15 years time? 

The only way we can improve this 

situation is less violence in dancehall 

once again if we have less violence 

and the police are willing to work 

with us that’s the only way we can 

move forward. Its the authorities that 

rule England so if they are not willing 

to give us anywhere to keep our 

parties it’s going to be difficult and 

in terms of us moving forward, the 

youths need to have behaviour, if you 

come to party, party go home, follow 

the rules in and outside the venue. 

Do you now see yourself in an Ambassador role to represent and show 

dancehall culture across the world? 

You’re not going to hear Andrew Fresh in dancehall swearing and stuff like 

that, we can deliver without swearing and making ourselves sound Vulgar so 

9.


in a sense yes, when you have certain brands looking and listening to you, you 

have to conduct yourself properly, so they can associate themselves with you. 

Do you feel there’s added pressure on you to represent the culture 

wherever you go in the world? 

Everything comes with experiences, so I don’t really say its pressure but 

me personally when I go overseas I don’t only represent for the culture but 

England as well so the masses know there are bad selector/DJ in England, 

and pass me going places with the likes of the great stone love etc, my name 

use to be small at the bottom now my name is the headline at times. So we 

know we are representing not just the culture but England. 

I see you in your brand. Is that your brand? 

Yea that’s my team GL7 God Loves 7 that’s what it stands for, anything with 

God we going to work with it so yea, I’m a brand ambassador. 

In terms of a dances how do you prepare for it, do you build a set for it or 

you just turn up? 

Ask anybody even ask my colleagues, I’ve never prepared for a dance just 

go to the dance. Most times its when I’m about to start playing I know what 

I’m going to play. How can you prepare for a dance that you haven’t even 

reached yet, you don’t even know the type of crowd? 

Do you think the lack of Jamaican artist getting visas to come to the UK is 

affecting the industry? 

Yes, so artists have to remember they are role models at times; people look 

up to them. The authorities are watching so artists need to be careful of the 

Internet and what they put out. Artist’s be careful. 

Do you ever think of going into production or artist management? 

Well I’ve never thought about those things, as far as I’m concerned that side 

of the business is stress. At this point it’s not something I’m thinking about 

but we don’t know what the future holds and some of these artists are too 

unruly 

Thanks for sitting with us, appreciate it, looking forward to the rest of the 

journey. 

10.

DEYAH DECEMBER MAGAZINE 2018 #ISSUE 1 

NAILAH 

BLACKMAN 

THE SOCA PRINCESS, 

PART 1 

Written by: AC Christie 

Nailah was in London for her first UK performance, I requested from her 

manager Anson to have a conversation with the self proclaimed soca 

princess. 

This is your first time in London. What do you think of it? 

I think that it is super cool. I think also it is very cold. Some parts of yesterday 

and today there was some sun and it was nice. I like the trains. It was 

very confusing and we got lost but it’s like an adventure. In the moment 

I was thinking ‘Oh my gosh are we ever going to get back?’ But it was an 

adventure. It was in the night too. I also have worked with some talented 

people since I have been over here so I love that. 

You had the concert. How was the response to you there? 

It was really amazing but it was also different. 

How so? 

Because, when you perform in different places, different people react 

differently. And the reaction I guess was they were taking me in. They were 

more of a take in crowd. Which is pretty cool. 

11.


I want to go right back. If feels you have been doing soca for a long time. 

However, your first soca single was only out 17 months ago. You have a very 

different sound and style. What makes you so different? 

I would say my background. I come from a really intense musical family. My 

mom is an amazing artist singer/song writer, musician, actress. She taught 

me the most of what I know. And besides her, there is my aunt who was 

very instrumental in my career in terms of my sound. My whole family was 

really. I have always been around musicians. I began singing from when I was 

two years old. I had my very first performance on a stage when I was fours 

years old. I started writing at the age of 11, playing the guitar at the age of 

12. I was classically trained, I started doing my Bachelor’s for Classical Opera 

Vocals. Then I dropped out. So there’s that. I dropped out because I wanted 

to pursue my career full time. Umm cause it was really hard balancing school 

and that. I just felt like one was a priority and I chose this. Then going back, 

I did classical indian dancing growing up. So like you will hear east indian 

influence in my voice based on the type of music I was listening to as I had to 

dance to it so. And there’s the African influence where my aunt and uncles.. 

all they listened to when I was growing up was west African music, music 

from Senegal, Kenya all African music. My mum was a huge jazz lover so I 

fell in love with it. Some of my favourite artists are like Frank Sinatra, Billie 

Holiday, Amy Winehouse all contribute to my style. And I am doing Soca 

music. So it will influence it but make it really different. 

You have been doing it for so long I guess you don’t get nervous 

performing? 

I don’t really… Well I guess I do get nervous when I am in new territory, when I 

feel like ‘ooohh I don’t know how they will respond to me’. Do they even know 

my music? How are they going to react? So maybe I might get nerves then. 

But most of them, I’m not really nervous. 

Have you ever thought about this is not for me? Have you ever thought, 

‘Hmm maybe I’ll be a dentist? Maybe I’ll be a doctor? 

Well no I’ve felt that way. But there have been times when I have been very 

interested in something else. And I thought ‘Which one do I love more?’ There 

was that time. But there was never a time ‘No I don’t want to do it.’ Fashion 

is really important to me. When I was about to do my bachelor’s I thought 

‘Do I want to do fashion? Do I want to do music?’ And I thought ‘Girl who you 

playing? It’s music!’ 

12.


They way you are styled, in your last music video, they was almost that 

afro punk, boho chic. Is that your personal style or is it your team who have 

suggested the look? 

Well it is me, but some of my videos I was styled by other people. But I will 

choose stylists that capture me. So it started somewhere and that is me. 

I have designed a lot of my stuff from day 1. And when I got super busy, I 

couldn’t do it anymore. So I needed to find someone who could do it for me. 

But I am still doing my clothes, I have my line which is called SOKAH. It was 

actually my mum’s line which I am now taking over. I’m working on my first 

collection which is coming out for my birthday at the end of the year. 

So how would you describe your style? 

I’m sexy hippie. Because it is very boho and rootsy. But yet it is still glamorus 

and it is sexy. 

You’ve been working from 1pm today (it was about 9:30pm when we met 

Nailah). Where do you get the energy? 

From sleep and awesomeness. 

How do you stay in shape? 

I am not as fit as I would like to be. I honestly look at my pictures and think 

Oh my god girl you need to work out. But other than that, I dance I perform. 

I work out sometimes but I am not very consistent with it. I would love to be 

super gym like… I used to be like that but now I just don’t have the time you 

know? 

13.


upcoming events 

click on the image for further info 

14.


DANCEHALL 

HONIES 

featuring 

candy star 

Dancehall Honies make 

the world sweeter by 

name and by their 

presence, They are in 

a lane all on their own, 

they set trends in Fashion 

and their confidence is 

through the roof!!! will 

be featuring various 

Dancehall Honies in our 

publication but we are 

proud to introduce Candy 

Star as our very 1st, take 

a look. 

1CANDY_STAR_WINNING 

15.


16.




17.


LISA 

MERCEDEZ 

TOO HOT FI DEM 

Written by - Mr Wondah 

Is there an added pressure not only as a female artist but also as a UK 

female dancehall artist for you in the industry? 

Yeah, definitely…when it comes to a UK female dancehall artist or a female 

dancehall artist… 

Why do I always say UK what is the difference? 

Well, your based in the UK that’s why I say UK 

I know it is UK dancehall artists and Jamaican dancehall artists but you 

have to understand still, when it comes on to females we have to work 10 

times harder than the guys and that is really hard cause the industry is male 

dominated, it is just hard for us. 

How did you find the music or did the music find you? 

A lot of people don’t know this, but my dad was big in the church RIP to my 

dad, so every Sunday we’d have to go church whether we liked it or not. We 

had to do Sunday school and sometimes sing in the choir so its from that, 

plus growing up in Jamaica Lady Patra was a big influence and when going 

school, we would beat the desk and DJ, from ever since music has been a 

part of me. 

18.


How did the warning linkup come about? 

You know how long I’ve been struggling in this thing; I use to be in Jetstar 

studios, I remember Gappy and Jazwad were the first ones who recorded 

me. Sweetvybes Studio’s North London that’s where I met manager and he 

told me about Stylo G and he kept telling me to come and meet him, It took 

forever until one Sunday manager called saying he’s going to the studio, we 

went I met Stylo G, he asked me to spit something in the booth and that’s 

how I became a part of warning crew. 

What inspires you to write? Is it an experience or situation you where in or 

do you use someone else’s experiences, what inspires what’s your mojo? 

Growing up in Jamaica, listening to Lady Patra and Lady Saw influenced me a 

lot and a lot of what I sing about is what I go through. People say why I’m so 

slack why I have to sing about my pum pum, I have to “ A mi good Pum Pum 

bring mi come a England “, I met this guy and he was like I’m not leaving you 

here in Jamaica I’m taking you there. Most of it is personal experience. 

What would you say is your enduring qualities that have kept you going 

through all the fight and struggles in the business and industry? 

You have to just keep putting out good music and sometimes as females 

you do feel pressured sometimes, we feel like giving up, management is very 

important, and a good team is needed, team work makes the dream works. 

What’s the creative history behind Know Better Yardi Remix? 

I’ve always liked the song when it came out so one day me and my friend was 

Vibeing big up Shantay and Shackay and we put the freestyle together. 

What would you say is the reason why you are able to be so comfortable 

and confident with your sexuality in such a male dominated world? 

Right, it all as to start from within as an artist if you go on stage and you 

are not confident the audience can tell, and they are going to start booing 

you, so as a woman in the industry you have to have confidence. Me is a girl 

always confident body always tun up, hair on fleek and nails done. They say in 

the dancehall industry looks can make you. 

Allowing your social media to support your career and not take it over, how 

do you keep the balance? 

Most important thing you have to do is keep putting out music and stay 

consistent, if you hear a song and you like it do a quick remix, also people 

19.


will DM me asking when I’m putting out music giving me encouragement, so 

thanks to my supporters they help to keep me going. 

You don’t seem to be afraid to try different things when it comes to your 

music, i.e. your versatility on the different beats, why is that? 

Maybe, because I’ve been here for 17 years I’ve now become accustom to the 

different genres. 

How was the festival experience this year? 

I did so many festivals this year, last year I did V fest and Glastonbury and this 

year I did Wireless, Tokyo world red-bull etc. 

So wireless what was that like for you and how did that come about? 

The experience was amazing compared to last year. I have an agent/manager 

so if anybody wants to book me, they contact them. 

Which show would you say was the best for you this summer? 

Well the wireless show turned out the best, it was amazing the fans accepted 

me like ‘WoW’… it was great cause as a dancehall artist in the UK you don’t 

seem to get that support from your own dancehall people. 

What do you think of the unity amongst the female artist in the UK and if 

there isn’t any why you think that is so? 

I know I’m a nice person, I always reach out to girls but when I do they don’t 

show the same love, so I do my thing and stay by myself if someone wants to 

be bitchy that’s on them. 

When can we expect a body of work from you? 

Soon, but for now I’m singles and features and focused on building the brand. 

I did a mixtape last year called Boss Girl Circle. 

Touching on the Nicki Minaj thing, how did that happen? 

So Stylo did a sing called Yu Zimme and me and Ms Banks jumped on the 

remix, I don’t know how Nicki Minaj came across the song but she did, I 

was at home sleeping when my Ms Banks called me around 6/7am in the 

morning,” Lisa get up Nicki just tweeted lyrics for our song”, I went to twitter 

saw it and started screaming, for Nicki of all the people, giving I’m such a fan 

of hers from day one I was just too excited. I sent her a DM saying thanks and 

in less than an hour she replied. Big up yourself Nicki Minaj. 

20.



21.


LAVAMAN 

THE JAB KING! 

Written by - AC Christie 

photography by Larri 

I’ve always wanted to ask you this. Cause when I think of Jab music, I think 

of you. So if you had to explain what jab music is, how would you describe 

it? 

Jab music… very infectious. I feel is like the drums alone speaks to the soul. 

Any place jab music play you see people react to it instantly. It’s very I would 

say something very infectious and deep. I’m very passionate about it. You 

know what I mean? Cause everybody in Grenada is a jab. All PM playing jab 

[laughter]. 

People have tried to replicate it, but is not really the same… 

That is our blessing too and that is why we should try to push further cause 

people are now really getting on it.. So yes focus on it. 

You have such control of the crowd. How do you do that? Is that 

experience? 

Guess it is just God’s blessings. It’s the energy and the vibe. I think the 

people always feel something real. 

In terms of music, you are a power man. But I noticed that you are doing a 

bit more groovy now. Is that something that you wanted to do? 

Yeah I always wanted groovy in my catalogue cause most times when I go 

out to perform I always get the crowd on a high. To bring them down plus 

you yourself might have all that energy pumping in you, you might need a 

breather you know so it definitely has to fit in the catalogue. And that’s a 

form of money music, the groovy. That’s what they call it. So it’s all good. 

22.


I have to give thanks to King Bubba, Platter Studio. Cause he put me on and 

gave me ‘We Nah Change’, June Bomb Riddim, And that kinda propelled 

me more on the international market so definitely have to give thanks. 

Do you think you hard core fans will like you going a bit softer? 

Umm even if I am going softer, I always include the mas in it. So it still has 

that griminess to it ‘We go mash up’. 

You have worked with many people. If you had to think about one or two 

people that you worked with which was meaningful for you who would they 

be? 

In terms of artists? I would definitely say every one. Cause everyone had 

input. And likewise if I was to do a tune with, let me say for instance, if I do 

something with Skinny Fabulous, Vincy crowd I can appeal to and they will 

appeal to me more. Even in my island Grenada,I am from St. Georges. I do 

something with someone St. Patrick, it works. 

Is there anyone in particular you want to collaborate with now? 

As time comes I would say anyone. 

Really? You don’t have anyone on your wish list? 

Kes, Have already done some collabs. Kerwin… already did it with ‘Nike’. Have 

something coming crazy coming with Peter Ram. A tune called ‘Bad Head’. 

That definitely gonna tun up!. Something with Skinny Fabulous, something 

called ‘Tooth Ache’. So definitely and definitely can’t forget the king of Soca 

kingdom, Machel Montano HD you know. Must give him his… I know that’s the 

king. But as they say ‘Time you know is everything’. 

Now the smaller islands, the music seems to be pushing forward, why do 

you think that is? 

Cause we keep knocking on the door and we ain’t giving up. The small islands 

have a vibe that we always keep. Groovy soca is rising but we always keep 

the power. As a people, we can’t drink and chip too long, we need energy to 

be released so you know? Power. 

Have you ever played in Trinidad? 

I went to Trinidad and did army fete and performed ‘Gyal Alone’ in 2013. It 

was well received. But I never really focus on the carnival aspect as Trinidad 

have their ting and Trinidad artists have to buss too. I never watch it like stop 

somebody food. Which is good thing cause Trinidad is the dynamic of the 

23.


thing. So definitely give Trinidad and Tobago much respect. But as time goes 

by will look forward to getting into the market. 

You have performed in so many different places. Where have you got the 

maddest crowd? Apart from home. 

The maddest crowd… that’s hard to say because even look for instance 

Ibiza could have been number 1. I definitely have to shout out New York and 

Toronto [laughter] mad people place. And then when you talk about London, 

is on a next scale. But for this year? We gonna do a survey, which is the 

maddest place? Is it London, Toronto or New York? 

Well Toronto and New York may have 

more numbers. 

You feel it? London is very crazy too. 

That’s the battle right now, who can 

defend the madness [laughter] 

I heard you are a good cook. 

Wow, all of that? [laughter]. 

What’s your favourite thing to cook? 

Numerous. I’m a person, I love the Indian 

cuisine so I do a lot of Indian. 

So when you are not performing, what do you do to relax? 

To be honest, I’m a workaholic. Always working. And when I am not working 

is family time. Get some time for myself but the majority of the time, family 

and work. And cooking. 

Thinking about working, is there any particular goal that you have now? Do 

you want to work more on writing? Or groovy? 

To be honest right now, there are different stems. I am putting in some work 

for some other artists, writing for them, international artists. I don’t just want 

to call out their name. Likewise I am focusing on my show. My personal show 

I wanted to do it this year. With the collabs I’m doing, the writing I am doing, 

building better bond with the artists. So I watch it for 2019. White Rave, The 

Lava Show. That’s what I am working on right now. The support is great, even 

from other artists. Doing the collabs, meeting other people, going places 

kinda come out of the shy zone a little. Cause you know me, I’m a little quiet, 

humble, laid back you know? Just keeping the brand going, a clothing line, 

you know different things. Humble, piece by piece but we doing it. 

24.


CharTS 


click on the image to listen 

25.




26.


GOVANA 

MR ONE & MOVE 

Written by - Mr Whanda 

You’ve locked Jamaica; you are now on tour in the UK the genna genna tour. 

Is this a deliberate move, a part of your strategy to take you international? 

Yeah not deliberately but when it comes down to dancehall that’s whole 

thing, you start in Jamaica you do the ground work, do all the things to 

spread the music, dance a yard before you dance abroad; my grandmother 

taught us that from we were little kids. So we do the groundwork of Jamaica, 

lock Jamaica go on all the major shows Sum fest, Sting, Dream Live all the 

Parishes we do those shows and eventually you’re brand is going to spread 

across to the Jamaican diaspora where Jamaicans are Central outside of 

Jamaica yeah England, Canada, Germany, France etc. and if you are really 

good you can reach in the Caribbean market the Trinidad, Barbados etc. You 

put in the work and then you start to go on the plane. 

When it comes to you writing your lyrics it seems like you try to make them 

perfect, the context the words to rhyme together you seem to make them 

different, is that something unique that you definitely try to do? 

Yea man definitely we try to stay a cut above the rest, you know the judge of 

all judges are the fans so they know who’s doing what so we try find some 

words that people not using to bring across what we trying to say, they say 

some things that nobody ever said before and not repeat the same stuff over 

and over because the fans are not going to gravitate to that. 

27.


You have songs for thugs for the streets for the ladies and also conscious 

tunes. Do you believe artists have a responsibility or obligation to not only 

entertain but also uplift the youths as well? 

I don’t think artist are obligated to do nothing other than make music but as 

a ghetto youth knowing where I’m coming from and the songs I gravitated to 

back in the day I know youths are going to need motivation at time. As hardcore 

as I am one of the biggest influences on my life is Sizzla the real Sizzla, 

Sizzla from the Real Thing Album those times. I remember it’s those songs 

that got me through the rough time so definitely we try to put message 

in our music. Because music without messages is just melody you have to 

be able to take something from the music even from my girl songs I’m still 

teaching the youths things, even gal clown I’m teaching the youth not to be 

stupid, in baked beans we are telling the youths them to have standards keep 

your standard up so definitely message have to always be in the music. 

Coming up what inspired you to decide to transition from someone who 

just listened to music to a man who wants to make music? 

Growing up one of the biggest influencers was Sizzla another one was Beres 

Hammond, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man. We were growing up I’m playing a 

sound system named Excuse I about 10/11-year-old little boy but mi was 

always musically inclined as I’m in love the music always hearing the new stuff 

and that’s even how I got into the sound. From that me and a few friends 

started writing songs. Then we reached High school; St. Georges college, 

we started to have clashes and started gaining fans it wasn’t until forth form 

when I was given a cd by a classmate with a youth called Aidona, the cd had 

21 tracks when I got home I listened to all 21 tracks, went back to school and 

told my friend this is what I’m going to be an artist and in about a week he 

also made me meet Aidonia and the rest is history. 

All this was in high school when I started doing some little school socials and 

shows and Aidonia would be there and he’d call me up me up in my school 

uniform and I’d buss the place and he would tell me how brave I was etc but I 

still need to work on the craft, the talent was there but it was just raw talent, I 

needed to learn a lot of things, key delivery, performance, clarity so me being 

around him, just taught me a lot of things over time. 

You seem to be releasing tracks one after the other, is that a strategy to 

stay in the people consciousness? 

I’ve slowed down drastically from say three, four years ago as I’ve learnt it is 

28.


more quality over quantity, we need to 

let songs grow on people and let them 

digest the food and don’t try force them 

too much because after a while naturally 

they are going to vomit it up, throw it 

back up on you. 

So, we’ve slowed it down start releasing 

one song like every three months, so 

people can soak it up and then release 

another 3 for 2018 I think I released seven 

singles if so, much this time last year I had 

probably released like 17 already. So we 

just taking our time and just do it and also 

we’ve realised there’s more eyes on us 

and there’s a song people liked from back then so we just shoot a video for it 

and put it back out, new fans will have it as a new song, even songs like gyal 

thief and dozen plus 10 those songs recorded like two years ago and we just 

dropped the video for it this year and everybody accepted it like a new song 

so these are things that we are now doing so you might see a new visual but 

it might be a old songs 

You’ve touched on the stages you’ve performed on, what is your most 

memorable experience on stage so far? 

Most Memorable so far, remember I told you Sizzla is one of the biggest 

influences the Aidonia is the person that made me want to become a artist 

because I heard him on a track, well last Sum fest I performed like 4.30/4.40 

in the morning and that was right after Sizzla and right before Aidonia, So to 

perform there before and after my two idols and that was my debut Sumfest 

by myself to be stepping out after a giant like Sizzla and before Aidonia that 

will stay with me for the rest of my life. 

When an artist is being judged he/she is judged on a body of work. When 

can we look for Album? 

We are currently working on it, we are about 4 to 5 songs in but I’d say it’s 

more a EP this one as I’d like to master my craft a bit more first but definitely 

you’ll get a body of work next year that’s what we working on we don’t want 

to just put some singles together and call it a EP we want some exclusive 

songs no more that 10 but a Album around 2020. So EP we concentrating on 

the EP by summer 2019 the EP should be burning up the streets. 

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click on the image to listen 

30.


FASHION ADVENTURES 

OF A DIVA 

Hello and welcome to the fashion 

section of this brand new fresh 

publication, this feature is brought 

to you by Diva Choice and NLPR 

Agency. Over the last year or so 

Myself Tricia Blake of Diva Choice 

and Natalie Royer of NLPR Agency 

have worked very closely together 

mainly creating looks for Diva Choice 

as Natalie’s company has a styling 

element to it as well as PR. For those 

of you that don’t know Diva Choice 

is a company that retails Statement 

Jewellery Pieces, Swimwear and 

Lingerie, from sizes 8 to 22 as we 

believe every Diva Deserves A 

Choice!Like most women we both 

have a passion for fashion, (shoes 

being my biggest weakness) but 

Diva Choice has led us to the road of 

being able to write/blog about our 

greatest passions and for this we are 

extremely excited and grateful 

We recently had the pleasure 

of styling Lisa Mercedez for this 

publication, we had so much fun 

doing this but make no mistake 

Ms Mercedez is a perfectionist 

that knows what she wants so the 

pressure was on. The first outfit that 

Lisa wore was a fiery Red patient 

all in one body suit with matching 

boots, we did not need to do much 

to make this outfit pop at all as it 

spoke for itself, we added some cute 

little Dionne bags to this look paired 

with some fierce sun glasses all by 

the House of Mian, Lisa killed this 

look. 

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This outfit is probably our favourite look she is wearing a Black bandu top and 

diamante bralette both by Diva Choice, teamed up with a fabulous bomber 

jacket by No BHVR and Ego Shoes 

CANDY DREAMS 

Candy is a promotor and fashionista that was open to try various looks and 

push barriers, she is a designer’s dream!!! 

Goshy T-shirt & House 

of Mian Sunglasses/ 

bags 

NO BHVR Tracksuit 

House of Mian Pouch 

Diva Choice Body chain 

and Bandu top 

BRAND INFORMATION 

HOUSE OF MIAN 

London based contemporary jewellery and 

accessories company for men and women; 

with the aim of redefining simplicity. 

NO BHVR 

Is an international streetwear brand known for 

its affordable high-end street fashion, bringing 

you an all-black and white garment collection 

as sign of unity and coming together as one. 

OMG 

also known as GOSHY clothing known for 

their unique statement Pieces. Specialising 

in bringing Snapbacks and customised two 

pieces. You’ll always stand out in OMG. 

DIVA CHOICE 

Affordable luxury online boutique serving 

the best accessories, swimwear, lingerie and 

fashion pieces in sizes 8 to 22 because Every 

Diva Deserves A Choice. 

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Deyah Magazine Issue #1 Dec 2018

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