Since his days as a sound system operator in Jamaica, one of Dasvibes’ objectives was to expose upcoming dancehall talent from the inner-city. He started in his hometown of Seaview Gardens, Kingston.

The Australia-based artiste/producer retains that drive with Dancehall Nice Again, a compilation album released on October 25. It features him with big names such as Turbulence, as well as emerging acts like Charly B, Wiski D, and Wilful Skillful.

That blend, Dasvibes told Observer Online, is deliberate.

“I handpicked artistes based on authenticity, originality, and their passion for real dancehall culture. I wasn’t just looking for big names. I wanted artistes who embody the true spirit of dancehall and bring their own cultural flavour,” he said. “The lineup spans Jamaica, Australia, the United States, US Virgin Islands, France, Costa Rica and Guyana.”

Dasvibes came up with the concept for Dancehall Nice Again from his base in Brisbane, Queensland where he has lived for 16 years. One Life, his collaboration with Turbulence, is the best known of the songs, having gained steady rotation in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Other artistes and songs on the album are Seaview Gardens-reared Wiski D with Bring That Come, Charly B of France with Reda Than Red and Yellow Marshall out of Guyana with Not Like Dem.

“Each artiste adds a different voice but shares the same mission: to show the world that dancehall is alive, powerful, and nice again,” said Dasvibes, who took four years to complete the project.

A mobile application developer by profession, Dasvibes is a force in Australia’s growing dancehall scene. He scored a big hit there two years ago with the EDM song, Stickmen Toys Rock.

Early in his career, he gained popularity as DJ Wade in Seaview Gardens, where he made his name as a selector on the Dub Sonic sound system. His passion for information technology proved useful when he went into music production almost 25 years ago.
– Howard Campbell