From Ding Dong to World Ding

There’s an unexplainable stage of consolation that accompanies development, and for dancehall artiste Ding Dong, years within the leisure trade have allowed him the great fortune of that confidence.

He sat down with the Jamaica Observer and was as relaxed as they get. Surprisingly so, contemplating the artiste is on the brink of launch his debut album. With the stakes maybe the best they’ve ever been all through his profession, Ding Dong was calm, cool, and picked up as he outlined that every one his ‘stars at the moment are aligned’.

“I really feel like nothing occurs earlier than the time, and I feel I’ve… reached a degree in my profession the place I can say now’s the time for an album. I by no means needed to hurry it and run to place out any outdated factor, I needed to create a belief with the followers who’ve listened to me all through the years…” he mentioned.

“I do know definitely that I’m a rounded artiste and everyone is seeing that now, and the album going to seal up every little thing. Fact is, should you don’t have a physique of labor, you don’t get put among the many elites. This undertaking goes to point out my development and the way I’ve been capable of keep my… relevance in dancehall,” he continued.

The dancer-turned-artiste, who has established himself as a vibrant life pressure in dancehall, says having constructed a repute for enjoyable whereas nurturing an urge for food for dance amongst his listenership, the undertaking, dubbed From Ding Dong to World Ding, will honour his core.

“The album will present the expansion not simply within the music however my development as a pal, as a husband, as a father, as a frontrunner. You’re going to see me, and it’s going to take you to completely different locations whereas nonetheless holding you grounded… he mentioned. “Enjoyable is the primary element of the album. We nah go lose that. That’s what individuals know me for, and I settle for my position in dancehall. I’m the person who you go to while you need to have time and simply vibe and dance and let go. However I nonetheless have to point out with this album — utilizing the sounds and every little thing — that I can do this and a complete lot extra, and do it extraordinarily properly.”

Indicating that the undertaking will embrace a gospel and Afrobeat observe, Ding Dong says he poured his all into the set and is now ready to see how far it goes.

Nonetheless, the entertainer will not be eager on highlighting particular expectations. For him, he simply needs to place out the very best compilation he can and watch it do the remainder.

“There are 13 songs on the album, all blended and mastered by Black Spyda. The music dem heavy and mi have a few dangerous options. One in all my favorite songs on the undertaking is a music with Vanessa Bling, a gospel observe, and mi have an Afrobeat pan it with an African artiste. Now we have Skillibeng, Stalk Ashley, mi bro Govana, Skeng, Busta…so it absolutely packed,” he mentioned. “God in the past carry it. As soon as me do the work, mi nuh fear bout nothing else.”

The Fling artiste could also be leaving the album’s success within the palms of destiny however, like each entertainer with huge desires, he nonetheless needs to earn a stage of worldwide success.

By his requirements, that appears just like the sort of crossover fame attained by the likes of Sean Paul, Shaggy, Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, and most lately Shenseea and Skillibeng.

“Mi nuh get the run but inna di worldwide market ennu. Mi have some songs weh attain; and when mi say this individuals may say ‘him ungrateful eeh’ or ‘him depraved’, [but] imagine me, mi grateful for every little thing weh God gimme, however mi simply know what it’s on the market to get a world run and I don’t get it but,” he charged. “A Sean Paul and Shaggy stage of success mi a pree.”

With endorsements from quite a few native company giants, Ding Dong has made himself an ally for quite a few manufacturers. He expressed that with many dancehall artistes having restricted themselves via their picture and message, he takes enjoyment of being a standard-bearer.

“What I attempt to do with my profession is present the yutes dem say yuh generally is a dancehall artiste and signify with out singing about sure issues. The tradition set a approach that it makes you imagine you’ll be able to’t achieve success as a dancehall artiste if yuh not singing about sure issues, however the world is so huge,” he mentioned. “Mi have an excessive amount of respect for the businesses and types I’m aligned with, and dem have a lot respect for me, that I don’t really feel like I can do sure issues… So I keep grounded.”

Completely happy together with his improvement over the previous 20 years, Ding Dong urged followers to seize a duplicate of his album when it hits mainstream platforms on Might 2.

He maintained that it’s going to have them in temper from begin to end.

Ding Dong