Mandeville-based singer Jquan believes his hard work is finally paying off. He has one of the hottest songs trending on social media with Choppa Gospel.

“I am not surprised at the traction that the song has been making. I been a do music for a while now and been a believe inna the ting. I am not surprised, just grateful,” Jquan said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer at the Big Yard studio.

Jquan has been on the journey for some time now and Choppa Gospel, produced by Chiavi Records, has become the breakthrough that he had been seeking.

“Choppa Gospel is just an expression of our lifestyle and also a ghetto cry. It tells the story from nothing to something. It’s a song to motivate the youths dem fi believe inna whatever dem a do,” said Jquan, real name Javien Smith.

He added, “We been inna di streets and we see how hard things can get, so tings like dem deh motivate wi fi do better fi weself.”

Said Jquan: “The journey has been rough, a lot of ups and downs, but I never gave up. Music has always been a part of my life. When mi a grow up, mi used to a sing Michael Jackson songs, always a sing inna di house till dem get tired a mi. Mi always see meself a do music and me believe inna meself from long time. Is just the opportunities we never did have.”

He said that since Choppa Gospel took off he has been receiving more recognition.

“The fact say when we go inna public me get more recognition than before; just dem small ting deh. Fi deh someweh and hear people randomly play yuh song, as a yute weh been a try, and as a yute weh been a believe, it’s a good feeling, believe mi,” said Jquan.

Jquan says he feels no pressure to maintain the pace set by Choppa Gospel.

“No pressure whatsoever, because we know we can do it. Believe inna weself 100 per cent. We have this locked and dem ago see,” shared the Bellefied High School alum.

Asked if he felt his music has the substance to stand the test of time, Jquan said “Definitely, yeah man, Why not? This is the new generation of dancehall. Years to come, we’ll still be doing it.”

Jquan is being guided by producer Steel Chest, who co-produced his follow-up single Boasy along with Million Ways to Richies and Chino Records.

Steel Chest previously had success working with dancehall artistes Marksman and 1Biggs Don.

Said Jquan, “We a try reach di world, every listening ears we a try reach. Producers and artistes been reaching out wanting to collaborate, so it’s a good look.”

Jquan recently shot the video for the song Quan and Bob, which features red-hot dancehall rookie Najeeriii. The video was directed by Wvlnth.