Charlie Chaplin is singing a higher note. The veteran deejay was recently awarded a doctorate in Security and Professional Studies from the California-based Global University of Lifelong Learning. He graduated from the three-year course on June 22.

“Mi feel good. My standard always deh-deh,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

He hopes his academic achievement will inspire youth and smash the negative stereotype surrounding dancehall artistes.

“Mi never do it fi myself; mi do it fi break up the negative image which people a portray dancehall artistes in as gunman, murderers and rapists, and that’s not true… Mi do it fi show the youth dem say dem can do it too. Mi waan show dem say dem caan raise up themselves from any situation dem inna. Me go through weh dem a go through, because me, Josey and Super Cat was the roughest thing. But that is not what motivates me,” he said.

Josey Wales and Super Cat were hardcore deejays who, along with Chaplin, plied their trade on U-Roy’s Stur Gav sound system during the 1980s.

Charlie Chaplin said prior to the doctorate, he had completed a Master’s degree in Logistics Supply and Chain Management from the Caribbean Maritime University.

“Me want the youth dem fi know say dem mustn’t put limits on themselves. Don’t be sucked in by the negativity around you. Me waan dem say: ‘See Charlie deh, him raise himself up to the top and me can do it to’,” said Charlie Chaplin, who is principal of Border Patrol Security Company.

The deejay added that with academics out of the way, he can now refocus on music.

“Mi a finish up mi album Timeless Appeal. It has 17 tracks and mi gone 15 already. Mi a produce it on mi Crown Productions and Speng Gorgon label. Right now, mi search fi a distribution company,” he said.

No date was given for the project’s completion.

Charlie Chaplin (given name Richard Bennett) started his career in 1980 with Stur-Gav. He is known for songs like Que Dem, Off A Shape and Cry Blood. In 2013, he received an Order of Distinction for his contribution to the development of Jamaican music.