Dancehall artiste Jaddon has earned a degree in civil engineering from The University of the West Indies.

The 21-year-old told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday that the process was challenging at times.

“Well, it was a very rough process, I’m not going to lie. There were many times that I faced challenges, but I’m very elated that I have managed to overcome them. It was a great learning experience when it comes to specialised knowledge and skills like problem-solving and critical thinking and a lot of maths, and I have already seen where I have incorporated said skills throughout my daily life,” Jaddon explained.

He explained that his achievement has been celebrated by his family.

“Everybody feels great about my accomplishment. I am the first of my family to complete university, so I know this means a lot to my parents as they have made many sacrifices to see me get this far. My family has and continues to be supportive of all my endeavours. Big up to them,” the artiste said.

According to Jaddon, he made significant sacrifices while juggling a music career and studying at university.

“I’d say I sacrificed a significant amount of sleep, and I put my mental health in jeopardy at times to achieve this degree. However, it was definitely worth it, and even after making these sacrifices I was aware of the price to pay.

“To be honest, if I was only juggling music and studies, it would’ve been fine, but I was very involved even outside of that. As it relates to the studies and music only though, scheduling was a big part of it as I made a lot of to-do lists, agendas, checklists, etc. So, whenever I’m not doing schoolwork, studying, or revising notes, I would be doing music. For example, there were times when I had rehearsals for live performances and I would’ve had to miss a class, and so I would ensure that later on in the night-time, whatever I missed in the class, I revised on my own, though it wasn’t as good of quality as if I were in class. It still sufficed to get me through my courses with an in-depth understanding of the content,” Jaddon shared.

He told the Observer that his interest in construction and engineering developed at an early age.

“I’ve been interested in construction and engineering since I was a youth going on sites with my father. He’s my biggest motivator as it relates to career, whether that be engineering or music. I also excelled in maths, physics and geography in high school. Seeing their applications in the real world made me decide what I wanted to pursue very early on in life,” he said.

Jaddon is originally from the community of Homestead in Spanish Town, St Catherine. After studies at St Catherine Primary School he went to Campion College before matriculating to The University of the West Indies.

As someone “from the ghetto”, Jaddon said there are many lessons to be learnt from his achievement.

“Fi di yutes from the ghetto there are many ways to achieve success in this world. It does not have to be the same way I did it. However, a lot of the things that you have tried, I might have also tried before. Know that nothing beats trying, because just one can change your situation. You can never be lazy in this life, because most of us from the ghetto were never born with anything. Give yourself options in this world. Fulfil your education, fulfil your passions, fulfil any ambition you have, and ensure that you make a positive impact on the community and the world at large with what you are doing. Get up and work. Nobody will do it for you. Stay consistent and you’ll survive,” he said.

Jaddon shared that a near fatal motor vehicle accident almost derailed his studies.

“I was also in a very traumatic car accident which took me out of consistent studies for several weeks. Nevertheless, I managed to pass all of my courses and receive my degree within the projected time frame. I have to give myself props for that,” he charged.

Jaddon has been involved in music for the past six years. He developed a love for the art form at age eight when he began to play the drums. He also studied music in high school.