The road to success has not been easy for Jahvillani. He got the big break in music four years ago, and reflects on that journey in Dirt to Bentley, his debut album which is due for release on July 9 by VP Records.

“Di title of di album is really about progression, from nothing to something. Dat’s me an’ my journey. So, mi haffi sing my reality. Mi haffi give di fans a compilation of di journey from Dirt to Bentley,” Jahvillani explained in an interview with the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.

Songs like Clarks Pon Foot, Wileside Government, Nuh Reason, and Weh Dem ago Do have helped propel the St Ann artiste from obscurity to dancehall heavyweight. Dirt to Bentley has songs produced by longtime collaborators Tevin “YGF” Richards, Adrian “Mastermind” Martin Lawrence, and Ridwaan Razak.

The 13-track set is a mix of party anthems, matters of the heart, and social issues.

Some are collaborations with other high-profile artistes like Kranium who is featured on the title track and Skillibeng on Smooth.

Jahvillani also teams with Prince Swanny on First Class Flight and Trance 1Gov on Scheme.

Other songs on Dirt to Bentley include Pro-Gress, Love at First Sight, Dat Way, and Jahvi 3:16.

“Di message I want fans to take away from dis album is dat I am not an artiste who’s locked into a box. I sing different songs because I want to take this international,” Jahvillani reasoned.

Always weary of his early struggles, Jahvillani is determined to work with upcoming artistes who face similar challenges. His Wileside Government Crew comprises Trance 1 Gov, Slyngaz, Temparize, Bammaz, Gadzilla and C-9.

“These artistes are di next big thing. Ya guh hear ’bout dem soon because they been putting in di work an’ they have a lot of potential. They just need more listening ears an’ they will explode musically,” he said.

Music was something Jahvillani (real name Dujon Mario Edwards) aspired to do professionally, even though he graduated from Ocho Rios High School with seven passes at CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) level.

Hailing from Great Pond district, he released his first song, Badda Dan Dem, in 2013. It was produced by YGF Records.

Jahvillani says he has evolved musically in those eight years. That growth, he added, can be heard on Dirt to Bentley.

“Di vocals are much better, an’ I think I know what di fans want from me. I know what they respond to an’ dat’s what I’ve put on the album,” he said.