AFTER migrating to New York City in 2000, deejay Darnell ‘Semi Matic’ Lemuel was exposed to a diversity that makes the Big Apple the world’s most cosmopolitan centre.

Strongly influenced by hardcore dancehall acts like Bounty Killer, he soon tuned into different sounds after settling in the Bronx.

“Mi start listen to DMX an’ Jay Z an’ try the rapping thing but it wasn’t mi passion,” he said.

Eventually, he returned to his real passion, which is dancehall. It is what he was weaned on growing up in the Southside area of Kingston.

He is currently pushing two songs: Good Good Picture and Success which are produced by Calico/Mix Machine and Analytical Alz, respectively.

He is also part of the GMG production unit out of The Bronx, as well as Bounty Killer’s ANG Alliance camp which has helped launch the careers of numerous dancehall acts.

Semi Matic has done the rounds on the New York dancehall circuit. He has performed on high-profile shows like Irie Jamboree and at Macedonia Centre in Mount Vernon alongside Capleton.

However, he is determined to make a mark in Jamaica.

“Mi put in a lotta work a foreign but get better feedback a yard,” he said.