Wanting to make a positive change in the world is the only mission for young reggae artiste Danlyonn who focuses on fighting for the oppressed and leading people away from a dark path with his music.

The 22-year-old, given name Daniel Clarke, said he was heavily influenced by reggae greats such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh as his father would always play their music around the house. And after receiving raving feedback from his schoolmates at an event, Danlyonn was inspired to pursue a career in music.

Here are eight questions with self-proclaimed reggae sensation Danlyonn:

1. When did you start doing music?

I would say from when I was around nine or 10-years-old, and I have always had a passion for music. Even when I was going by the shop for my mom or my father, while I am running I would be freestyling random stuff and I have kept that up until now. I just have it in me.

2. So how did you decide that a career in music is for you?

When I was attending the Mona High School I was a tenor in the choir so whenever there was an event we would perform. There was a Jamaica Day celebration when I was in grade 9 or 10 I was performing for my culture club and the students went wild. The vice principal and dean of discipline were also impressed and they were saying how they didn’t know that I did music and that I am a singjay and that I should keep it up. So I said you know this is what I want to do because if these people; such a small audience, can like it, can you imagine the wider nation?

3. When was your first song released?

My first song got released two years ago, and it’s called BLM, meaning Black Lives Matter. I released it during the time when everything was happening with George Floyd, the police brutality and how it affects other people even from times before I was born. The song is an outspoken protest for the black community because you know we as black people get a lot of discrimination.

4. Why do you call yourself a reggae sensation?

I call myself a reggae sensation because I believe in myself and I know that I am capable of becoming one of the brightest stars in reggae music.

5. Considering the kind of music you are putting out, do you think you are ready for mainstream media?

The songs that I have put out so far are not music I would say will be included in mainstream media but I have some other songs that are very, very well-written and much better than the ones I have put out before. The only thing is that I haven’t signed to a label as yet, so those are the things that I want to get done so that these songs that I have written can be released into the mainstream because I definitely know that these songs are hits and that people will definitely love them.

6. What are some of the messages in these songs?

The message I am able to promote is a positive one especially for the younger generation and even older people as well. So my music is basically to guide the youth on the right path and not to focus on a material world because you know we are living in this technological time where all these social media and so on are distracting a lot of young people. So I want my music to go out there so listeners can hear the positivity and let it diffuse and create a positive stain on their minds forever so they are not focused on the negativity, but more on the spiritual world.

7. What does a future in music look like for you?

I see myself as a successful musician and a political activist for black people so I bring change and fight against things like racism. I want to make social change in our environment.

8. What’s next for Danlyonn?

I have this song that was written and recorded back in February, it’s called ‘Latina Girl’, and it will be released this summer. But what’s next differently is to just focus on the positive side of music as always, and letting people know that I am going to be a game changer because some reggae music is taking on a lot of dancehall, rock elements and I want to bring back the roots reggae like from Peter Tosh and Bob Marley days. So I want people to look out for me, Danlyonn, so people know that I will be making changes to positively influence the young people’s minds.