Govana has become a hot dancehall act, releasing successive hit songs in Gyal Clown, Gyal Thief, Rich Forever and Bake Bean. But the deejay is not new to the scene. He was once known as Deablo, a moniker he set aside three years ago.

He said reinvention was imperative for his career.

“It was a long time coming. Di name Deablo, regardless of how it is spelt, carries a Spanish meaning. A lot of people never took me seriously an’ I got some negative feedback,” he told Splash. “Deablo is more street and hardcore. Govana is more marketable, accepting to society and people take mi more seriously,” he continued.

Part of his new approach is to create clean music with international appeal. Better Than That, his recent collaboration with Jada Kingdom, is an example.

“I did di first verse an’ chorus and sent it to Jada,” he said. “She sent a verse with two or three expletives an’ I messaged her an’ told her it’s best to keep it clean. Mi did a look pan it an’ di song has an international appeal. Clean music gets you more mileage, it’s more international and nobody have to turn it down because it has curse words. It can play in the business place, too. There is a time and place for everything, you have to create a balance.”

His latest releases, One and Move (produced by Good Good Productions) and Hot Topic (produced by Chimney Records) are already trending on the Internet. Govana is grateful about this positive reception.

“I’ve been in the game for a while now, but mi never expect the magnitude at which it happen,” he said. “I’ve been building the foundation, so when mi si everything jus’ catapulting di way it has, it was inevitable.”

His tracks have a story-telling format which he credits to listening to acts like Professor Nuts. He also counts Shabba Ranks as an influence.

Govana (given name Romeo Nelson) has been writing lyrics since he was a youngster. His roots are in Sydenham, Spanish Town.

While in third form at St George’s College, he listened to an Aidonia CD and was inspired to pursue music, even though his parents had ambitions of him becoming a lawyer, doctor or pilot. He met Aidonia one year later, and the two began working together. Their early projects include Headline (2007) and Run Road (2012).

Govana admits he has had his share of trouble.

“I took a break from music in 2011. I got shot; I was really living a different life. The moment I got shot, my girl was pregnant that September. Everything changed for me in September 2011, I changed my life,” he said.

Govana is scheduled to perform at Reggae Sumfest and Dream Weekend.