This is the third in a 10-part series looking at the Canadian reggae scene.

One of Toronto’s most popular dancehall artistes is the deejay Eyesus whose recordings show he is just as comfortable doing R&B and hip hop.

In 2011, Eyesus, who is in his mid-20s, won an award from the Canadian Reggae Music Achievement. He considers it a career milestone.

“I won Best Reggae Entertainer. It is one of the biggest highlights of my career and mi just give thanks for the support,” Eyesus told the Jamaica Observer.

Born Ricardo Rhoden, he grew up in the Waltham Park Road area of Kingston until he migrated to Canada in 2003.

The dancehall scene in Canada is splintered. The biggest markets are Toronto which has a massive West Indian community, and Montreal which has warmed to the sound in the last 15 years.

Dancehall was growing in Toronto on the popularity of Shaggy and Sean Paul when Eyesus moved there 11 years ago.

He always knew he wanted a career in entertainment.

“Music has always been a part of me from I was a teenager. After I moved to Canada I launched into the music fully and that’s when I began to gain acceptance from the fans,” Eyesus noted.

Songs including Skip to My Lu, We Hate Yuh (featuring Jahvinci), Gangsta Love, One Drop and Fake Friend (with Big Wayne) have enjoyed favourable rotation on Canadian radio.

They earned Eyesus slots on major shows in the Greater Toronto Area alongside dancehall big-wigs like Mavado, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Serani, Lady Saw, Sanchez, Bounty Killer and Sean Paul.

A member of Toronto’s Us Squad, he has performed at Sting.

Kevin Jackson