BEFORE he got the big break, dancehall artiste Govana (formerly known as Deablo) was a part of fellow dancehall artiste Aidonia’s musical camp.

Known for songs such as Run Road with Aidonia, Champ, Likkle Bit a Money and Bake Bean, Govana is highly regarded in dancehall music circles as a brilliant wordsmith with his catchy anecdotes and unusual play on words.

Born Romeo Nelson, it wasn’t an easy journey to the top of the charts. But with the support of a loving mother, success was guaranteed.

According to Govana’s mom, Sonia Eccleston, people called her son an “iron balloon”, which at times made him depressed. It was her continued support and love that provided the motivation that he needed. And when he got the big break, she was right there with him every step of the way.

“Before he got his break, people used to call him iron balloon — meaning yuh caan buss. Sometimes mi go inna him room and see him a cry. Mi say look here, don’t put nuttin pon yuh head, just focus on what you want. Mi is a praying mother and you’re going to get it, so don’t worry yuhself. So when him get the big break, I was like, trust mi, right now, I’m a proud mother. Mi never leave my child,” Eccleston told All Woman at the launch of Govana’s sophomore album Legacy, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre two weeks ago.

Eccleston, a strict disciplinarian, spoke passionately about her son. She said she raised him with the help of his father Cleveston Nelson at their home in Horizon Park, Spanish Town.

“It wasn’t easy raising Govana. He likes cricket and football. He went to Willowdene Preparatory and then St George’s College, and I was excited for him, I was very proud. I used to drive him to school in the mornings and after that I allowed him to take the bus home from school. One thing, he loved the road, he loved the gang of fren thing. But me as a mother, I never allowed that. Mi never ramp fi beat him. When him reach fourth form him start go over Sabina Park to play cricket then he was playing football, and was at studio, all about the place. When the teacher called me, and told me what he was doing, I give him some lick yuh see. I was a strict mother and I wanted the best for my child,” Eccleston reasoned.

During her son’s childhood years, she was an informal commercial importer and travelled regularly overseas to purchase clothing which she sold in the Spanish Town Arcade. Her husband was a tiler and did tiling work for several Sandals properties.

“He (husband) used to tile a whole heap of Sandals hotel for Butch Stewart. Mr Stewart used to give him passes to the hotels and we used to go there on day passes,” Eccleston recalled.

She added: “My husband wanted Govana to become an engineer. He wanted him to wear jacket and tie, but Govana wanted to do music and I told him that if that’s what he wanted to do, then I would support him, and I have been there from day one.”

Eccleston’s other child, a daughter, is pursuing studies at The University of the West Indies and is expected to graduate later this year as a registered nurse.