The Caribbean, especially Jamaica, is filled with talented people. Up-and-coming artiste Andon is just the latest in a long line of musicians hoping to one day bring the vibrant culture of the region to the international market.

The 26-year-old, given name Brandon Chin, was exposed to music at a young age. But his musical journey took him on the road less travelled when he decided to be a pop artiste— a choice which he says has started to pay off since he officially started recording in 2019.

Here are eight questions with up-and-coming Pop artiste Andon:

1. When did you decide that you wanted a career in music?

I decided that I wanted a career in music at a very young age, after singing at my school’s prize-giving. My teacher heard the potential in my voice and moved the whole group performance to a solo performance. I think Pop chose me because I have always been addicted to Disney Channel, the whole High School Musical thing. Plus it just suits my voice better than reggae or dancehall music.

2. How has the music journey been so far?

The journey has been really challenging because pop music is not something that is really celebrated in Jamaica unless it is somebody who is overseas and is already well-known. My first officially released song called ‘You Don’t Love Me’ became popular in Europe and with that, many interviews started flowing in – with some people telling me to do Reggae instead. I find it sad that you have to blow up before your own country recognises you but what I have learnt is patience and to never give up—even though almost every day I feel like giving up.

3. What impact do you hope to make in the music industry?

I would love to be the next pop star out of a Caribbean country. We have Rihanna from Barbados and rapper Nikki Minaj out of Trinidad, but I want to be in the league of Beyoncé; I want to go beyond her, beyond Chris Brown and even Rihanna. That is my aim and I will continue for as long as it takes to get it.

4. What has the reception to your music been like?

It has been received really well now. When I just started, I don’t think people were taking me seriously until I started taking up space. And I am still not taking up as much space as I would love to but at least I can walk and probably five out of 200 people can say ‘Hey that’s Andon’ so it is a start. It is honestly all about building up those numbers in my fan base and support base.

5. Are there any influences that propelled you to where you are?

Tori Kelly is at the top of my list. She is the reason I started this whole thing seriously. Disney Channel and High School Musical sparked the flame but Tori Kelly kinda pushed me to take it seriously because she used to record music in her bedroom and then she just blew up all of a sudden. Plus she has Jamaican roots as well.

6. What message do you want to bring across in your music?

In my music I tend to relate real emotions and real situations— I mean who doesn’t— but everybody’s story is different. Somebody might not be able to relate to a heartbreak song by Katy Perry but they may be able to relate to mine because we share the same story, so I just want people to hear me and know that they are not alone in whatever they are going through.

7. How have popular trends influenced your music?

At one point I did not want to follow the trends, but we have to keep up with the times in order to be seen, so I would go to my room and listen to what’s hot, which would have probably been Dua Lipa and Doja Cat at the time, and I would think ‘okay I need to make a song like this’ but I am not at that stage anymore; I am just doing what feels right to me now.

8. Where next can we expect to see Andon?

I am thinking about putting on a concert in October for my birthday this year. Hopefully, we can make that happen. I also have a song out now called ‘I’m Gone’. It is about me losing a friendship and a relationship at the same time, and another coming out at the end of February called ‘What Love’s Like’. This one is very happy, something fun and something you may want to blast on the highway holding hands with somebody.