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Interview with DeMarco Da Don

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DeMarco Da DonHow would you describe your music?

I’m not a one to speak on myself too much but I can do every type of music, a genre-breaking artist who can’t be labeled as one style

What countries have you performed in?

A lot! (laughs) Well, Canada, USA, all over Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Gambia. Seychelles, UK, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Haiti, Dubai, Israel,

Australia, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad, Barbados, Bahamas, St. Lucia, Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Antigua, & more.

3) Let’s talk about your impact in Africa. With your gaining notoriety; easily pulling 15,000-30,000 per venue. How does it make you feel to be able to perform in front of such a large audience?

It feels great, it’s overwhelming and I’m very grateful. The love that Africa shows me is unbelievable- for them to react & come out to see the effect on the people, sometimes even crying, well I thank God every day.

At what age did you start singing?

I started at 15, before that I was a selector (DJ) calling myself “Caution” for my “Future Disco” Sound system.

What made you transition from a Deejay to a singer?

Well, back in those days it was records you know, vinyl. So I used to turn the record over to the instrumental side we call “version” in Jamaica. I would write lyrics and one night I went to Cactus Nightclub in Portmore. I performed one of my songs and the people dem loved it, I even got a girl that night. That’s when I knew “This is for me”. I was so young I didn’t even have an artist name yet, (laughing) people were calling me saying “ What’s your stage name “ and I didn’t even have one.

Who are some of your musical inspirations?

Bounty Killa, definitely. Now, as a producer because I’m a producer it is Dave Kelly, Dave Kelly made me want to produce. Man like me find inspiration from all music so I’d say The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Sade, Nirvana, Dr. Dre (As a producer) and Reggaeton music.

So you also produce riddims?

Yes, what, I make so many riddims! When I was like 16 I migrated to the USA and focused on producing more than singing. I started producing riddims for man like Bounty Killa, and Elephant Man for his Good to Go album. I also ghost-produce a lot. Some of my early riddims were “Gangwar Riddim”, “Mission Riddim”, & “Warning Riddim”. I also did “Shoot Out” with Mykal Rose and a whole album with Mykal Rose. I did a song with Mykal Rose & Busy Signal too- “Real Jamaican” & “Sidewalk University” With Vybz Kartel. Because I’d been producing for so long when I came out with my first song, “Fallen soldiers” in 2007 everybody in music already knew who I was and gave me strength.

What’s one of your favorite riddims you produced?

I could name riddims from here til tomorrow, too many to choose from”

How has signing with Konvict changed your life and perception of music?

Being signed to a icon like Akon is a big deal, he even told me “Our style is similar”, so it’s a big opportunity to connect with a different core audience than I had before. Like, I had toured the UK already but when I was just there with Akon I encountered a unique crowd from my previous shows in the same area. Cross-over music is what it’s all about right now, blending the vibes of dancehall with hip-hop & different genres, now that I’m signed with Akon we’re gonna do a lot of brand new music for everyone,

Who would you like to record with?

Future, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Jay Z and more

What does “No Wahala” (The name of his new single & tour with Akon) mean?

It means “No Problem” in Nigerian pidgin language. That’s what the song is about: “I can buy that for you, No Wahala”. It’s a mindset- No problem/No Problems.

So what’s next for DeMarco? More singles, looking forward to releasing an album in 2018, International Touring, collabbing with fans on a soon-to-be released project, ya know- Music!

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today.

Give thanks, stay tuned

 

 

 

 

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