In just over a year, the name Nhance has been making some serious noise in local music circles.

The 21-year-old singjay, whose mother is former Gaza Empire member Sheba, has been pouring his emotions and pain into music, and this seems to have struck a chord with music lovers all over.

With songs like Monster, No Love, Regardless, Mindset and Love + Pain gaining traction on social media and on trending music lists, Nhance is ready for a lasting career in music.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Thursday, Nhance (real name: Kenneil Lawrence) spoke about the influence of his mother on his career, his musical journey and his goals and ambitions.

Born in St Thomas, Nhance grew up in Spanish Town and later relocated to Portmore.

“Before music, I was a regular dude. At one point, I had a skin care product business but it didn’t last for a while,” said Nhance.

Asked how music began for him, Nhance said: “Mi did love music from ever since I was growing up. I voiced my first song in 2020, my mother introduced me to a producer named Aka in Denham Town. From there, I went to Fyah Roiall studio in Portmore by Passagefort and Jay Bad, whose label is Touch of Gold Records, introduced me to Fyah Roiall. who voiced my second song that was released.”

However, it wasn’t until in 2021 that Nhance decided to seriously pursue music as a career.

“I was more focused on doing other things. The journey for me, I wouldn’t say it was an easy one, but at the same time, it was exciting. It was a journey you could learn from. I got educated a lot about music while on this journey,” said Nhance.

Pressed on whether having a mother such as dancehall artiste Sheba made it any easier for him recordingwise, Nhance was quick to point out that he had to go through the same struggles as any other artiste.

“Having a mother involved in music never mek it any easier. Mi still did haffi wait at the studio to voice a song, producer voice yuh and nuh put out yuh song, dem tek yuh number and nuh call yuh. Sometime yuh deh a di studio a wait fi voice and dem go roun yuh. Mi go through everything weh other artistes go through. Music a one hard thing fi go through. Many broken promises,” said Nhance.

The youngster shared that uses music to heal whatever issues he experiences and noted that his songs bare the pain and hurt that he has been through.

“I have been hurt by a lot of people both family, friends and even strangers. Music is my therapy to deal with my pain,” he disclosed.

He continued, “I bring a different sound, a new style and a wide variety of positive music to the game. I try to balance the scale, mi just a enhance the music that has always been there. And I thank the people for giving me a listening ear. People like Tego Boss, Tall Man, OG, and the selectors who help to push the music. Mi owe all a dem and mi team a lot of thanks.”

Countree Hype Entertainment, Damage Muziq and Kyle Butler’s Dynasty Global are some of the producers with whom Nhance has been working.

Perhaps his biggest support, as he shared, comes from his mother.

“She like weh mi a do and she also advised me not to give up. Sometimes mi feel like giving up, but my mother she always deh deh fi mi. Both she and mi team, dem encourage me and tell mi to keep going,” said Nhance.

On Wednesday, Nhance shot the video for his latest single Greatness which was produced by Tego Boss and www.com Records.

“Mi waa achieve a loyal fan base, because every artiste needs that to carry you along. I want to get hit songs in other countries and even win a few Grammy Awards along the way,” said Nhance of his ambitions in his new career.