Making a start

US-based artiste tries to sing his way into Jamaican hearts

Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer

Jumping out of the starting blocks and onto the entertainment track is a young man who aims to use the influencing power of music to make a difference in Jamaica.

With his unique singing style, Cliffside Entertainment artiste Quain is becoming a talent to watch.

"Almost all of my time I spend it writing, and I think that I can bring something different that's never been seen before in the music industry. Because I was born in Jamaica, but I was raised in the United States, I may have the knowledge to bring both worlds together," said the young artiste.

At seven years old, Quain began singing with a choir in Jamaica before migrating to the United States of America, where he started singing on the choir at Warren Harding High School. There, he did his first real performance.

Versatility and a few choice sounds that give Quain his signature, indicate a uniqueness that could auger well for the young singer.

His latest song, Why Dem a Judge We, is already generating attention from disc jockeys in Connecticut and Jamaica.

Speaking of Jamaica, Quain, still a US resident, is now in the island recording an armada of new tracks to win over the listening public.

Airplay

"The airplay so far has been good. I'm on Hitz, Irie and we're trying to get more on Zip. I think the disc jockeys like the songs we give them so they don't have a reason not to play them. I also have a couple of other songs to finish up too," he said.

The close alliance he forms with producers at Frenz for Real Productions, as well as L.I.N.K Productions, has paid off for the artiste, as he is now getting deserved recognition.

Soon, he may even see the completion of his music video for Helping Hands.

Plans for shooting that video are well advanced.

According to Quain, his main inspiration to write and sing come from two late, great artistes, Michael Jackson and Bob Marley.

But Quain doesn't just sing, he deejays, a skill he honed while growing up on the sounds of Bounty Killer.

Quain's reputation in the underground dancehall music community has been long cemented.

According to Quain, being witty is second nature to him because of his upbringing in music.

"I grew up clashing other artistes, so I had to come up with rhymes on the spot and experiment with different flows to bring my point of view across, so I am confident I can write music that can rock the club and the world. I am versatile like that," he said.

In years to come, he sees himself collecting a Grammy, trying to make the music spicier and bringing something different to people who listen to dancehall and reggae music.

Will that happen? We'll just have to wait and see.