Although he is in his final year at The University of the West Indies pursuing a degree in civil engineering, recording artiste Jaddon has his sights set on an enduring career in music.

The 21-year-old, who hails from Spanish Town, St Catherine, has been making a name for himself on social media platform TikTok with freestyles such as Sovereign, Man Gon Live it, Full Black, and Luggage, his latest single which is featured on the Weddy Weddy rhythm by God Floww.

“I started this journey in music just before COVID. In 2019, a friend of mine, Tishane, we went to Three Keys studio where we recorded our first song [Vibe to This]. We went back to school where we designed the cover art and got feedback from our peers. But then COVID came and slowed things up a bit,” Jaddon told the Jamaica Observer on the weekend.

A past student at Campion College, Jaddon says he is able to balance both school and music.

“With everything, scheduling is important. On campus I have leadership roles. One day I reasoned with a lady at a workshop and she suggested a schedule which I’ve applied to visualise what I have to do. I want this degree as a second option,” Jaddon explained.

The emerging dancehall artiste is optimistic about carving a distinct path in the dancehall scene with his unique musical style. His music, a blend of influences from Masicka, Frank Ocean, and Alkaline, is a testament to his raw talent in lyricism, as evident in his standout track, Fully Black.

“I take inspiration from other genres and not necessarily the artistes. I take everything from everybody’s creation, and I apply,” he said.

He lists Day or Night as his favourite track he has so far recorded.

“It is a motivational song which was recorded during a time surrounding trauma. I felt I had to talk about it. If you listen to the song, you’ll get the full message,” the artiste shared.

Jaddon, who plays instruments including the drum and keyboard (he learnt music theory and began writing songs at the age of 15 in high school), has a preference for instrumental rhythms compared to computerised beats.

He said: “Mi feel like the bands mad still, because mi do mi first live band show recently and it was my best performance so far. I used to play instruments as a youth, and mi feel mi understand the elements better that way. But wah gwaan right now mad same way. Modern dancehall and trap dancehall weh di man dem a do nowadays, mad.”

However, Jaddon has some concerns about the direction in which the local music scene is heading.

“Mi feel like the man dem fi sing more songs fi di girls dem still. Feel like, you go a one party more while and is just ‘chopping’ music. Mi naw step pon dem music, ’cause mi have friends weh do dem. Another thing, the man dem need fi rehearse more, so you can have that engagement deh live with the audience,” Jaddon reasoned.

MXT, Carter, Mercury, Jubba and Kryptic are some of the emerging producers with whom Jaddon has been working in recent months.

His family, he says, supports his musical endeavours.

“When I share the bookings [performance dates] with them, I also share the grades. I relay information from school to both of my parents. My dad is in a similar industry. They know I am passionate about music, and they are very supportive,” said Jaddon.