STAR on the Rise: Eminent Bkool gives up dancing to pursue music

It was just four years ago that dancehall deejay Eminent Bkool hung up his dancing shoes and decided to pursue a full-time music career. The 24-year-old Excelsior Community College graduate said he was a contemporary of dancer Kool Ravers and could have gotten his break with the success of the latter's 2017 dance move, Fling. But he has no regrets about his career transition.

"It's like the moment me choose to put down dancing my brother (Kool Ravers) get the pull through, but two a we woulda get the pull through same time cause that's what we'd been doing since we were at Kingston College," the deejay told the STAR.

"I wouldn't say I have regrets because I don't believe in that. Dancing is still something I utilise whenever I'm on stage so it's still under my belt."

Eminent Bkool, whose given name is Everton Marshall, released his debut single, Itsy Bitsy, in 2017. It was a collaborative effort that featured Imperial Tantrum. The song was produced by YGF Records, and, according to the artiste, received positive feedback from fans and industry players. He has since gone on to release Friendzone, featuring Black Hustle, Imperial Tantrum and Kiz (2017) and Gimmie That Love (2018).

A man of Portmore, St Catherine soil, Eminent Bkool described his style as "very cool and charismatic."

"I'm a sensitive dancehall artiste so it's not straight hardcore; I mix it up and keep it sensual," he said.

His his interest in music and dance were fostered from childhood.

"I was doing drama, speech, dancing, anything that has to do with entertainment, so I knew it was something I wanted to pursue," he said. "I always had the support of my parents because my dad used to sing and dance so it was inborn for me."

Though the industry has presented various challenges, the deejay is keeping a positive attitude.

"The biggest challenge is not having a personal manager on board yet, but give thanks seh we have sense and we can do some self-management making us where we are today," he said. "It's a rocky road but with each milestone we cross, we see the evolution and growth."

Eminent Bkool aspires to establish an institution to hone the talent of upcoming artistes and educate them on the business of the industry, and to make a positive impact on the world through his music.