MONTEGO BAY, St James – Topmann’s ability to give listeners what they want has allowed him to become a recognisable name among the new cohort of dancehall artistes coming out of western Jamaica.

Known for his hit single Gyal Code and his newest song Choppa Lifestyle, Topmann, whose given name is Jamario Hines, hopes to rise to the top of the entertainment industry.

The 25-year-old Montegonian is humbled by the reception he has received since launching his career in 2018.

Explaining that he first decided to focus on a musical career while attending The University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI), Topmann said his educational background helps him to “supply the demand of the people”.

“It is a great feeling, however, it is not one that is pressuring because while I am proud of myself, I am still humbled because I am not where I want to be just yet. The pressure might be on to meet people’s expectations because to whom much is given, much is expected and at the moment Montego Bay and dancehall are giving me a big reception, so more is required of me,” Topmann told the Jamaica Observer West during a recent interview.

“I am someone who studies the market…that was a part of my UWI degree, so I know when and where to switch my sound. My first songs were mostly me singing, however, it is now summer and it is actually our first one since the lockdown, so people are wanting club bangers instead of songs that are going to bring out emotions. It is all about supply and demand,” the Cornwall College past student added.

Though he had a decorated high school and short professional football career as a goalkeeper, the young artiste’s decision to pursue music was no surprise to his family and friends. After all, his introduction to the entertainment industry came at a tender age through his father Dillon “Iyah Syte” Hines.

“I was introduced to music by my father Iyah Syte, who is also a recording artiste but he is mostly over by the reggae side. I was around him at a tender age going to studios and a lot of performances, [so] that attracted me to music,” Topmann told the Observer West.

“Even during my days of playing football I used to do a lot of freestyles and write a lot of songs, but it was mostly gimmick or class assignments, so people knew that I had the talent to write and come up with intriguing topics.”

Through connections made during his years of playing football, Topmann was able to smoothly transition into his second career choice at the young age of 21.

“At school I got connected with [Ricardo] ‘Bibi’ Gardner who was my football coach. He knew that I wanted to do music and he made some connections with [producer] Seanizzle and I was able to record my first song Lonely Road. The response I got from that really motivated me to go harder, bear in mind that I was still mastering my craft at that time. I never stopped writing since then,” he explained.

Steadily smashing goals while honing his craft as a songwriter and deejay, Topmann is determined to secure his space in the dancehall industry. The artiste has since performed at his first Reggae Sumfest earlier in July, a childhood dream come true, he told the Observer West.

“I’ve always preached to myself that my first time at the Reggae Sumfest should be as a performer, so I didn’t touch foot over Sumfest until the day that I performed and that was a promise to myself. As a juvenile when Sumfest a keep in my backyard, me and my friend dem used to just line up and sell parking spaces,” said Topmann.

Promising to deliver more hits for his growing listenership, Topmann’s message is clear.

“Expect the unexpected from me. I am coming with a lot of different topics that are going to be mind-blowing. I am coming with different genres, different beats and a lot of emotional songs, so just expect a lot of things from me. Every song going forward is going to be a hit,” he said confidently.