FOR all the popularity it enjoys in Jamaica, the land of dancehall and reggae has never produced a major rap performer. Face Dada is determined to be the first.
The Olympic Gardens-bred, New York City-reared rapper has been in Jamaica for the past year working on his first album. Face Dada says the local dancehall scene needs some variety and he believes he can provide it.
"Jamaica is the only place without a rap movement and I want to help change that by being Jamaica's rapper," he said.
Face Dada says he has completed seven tracks for The Beginning And The End, his debut album. He is working with producer Andre 'Dre Day' Ennis who has worked with acts like Aidonia and Khago.
Aware of the importance of scoring a hit song in Jamaica, Face Dada has stepped up his studio activity in recent months. Those sessions produced the song Ghetto which was produced by Ennis.
In December, he appeared at Sting, the Boxing Day show that has become an acid test for dancehall's elite and debutants.
"For a rapper coming out of Jamaica, that was something else. It was groundbreaking," said Face Dada.
Born Jermaine Brown, Face Dada immigrated to New York City at age eight. His family's Bob Marley and Jacob Miller collection kept him in touch with
his Jamaican roots but his biggest musical influences are trailblazing rappers Eric B and Rakim, LL Cool J and Big Daddy Kane.
Later, he was drawn to the sounds of Tupac Shakur, arguably hip hop's most talented and controversial performer.
While he is unknown locally, Face Dada has tasted success in the United States. Knock Down The Walls, his 2008 collaboration with rock and roll
singer Chubby Checker (of The Twist fame) settled at number 29 on Billboard magazine's Dance chart.
The link with Checker gave him a regional profile in the US. Face Dada is hopeful he can make similar inroads in the tough Jamaican market.
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