STAR on the Rise: Don Pree looks forward to making it big

Decorated up-and-coming dancehall deejay Don Pree talks big about music and the career he is about to make out of it.

The hardcore persona that is the framework of the image and lyrics that the emerging artiste portrays to the public is only 50 per cent of the talent he has to share.

He says, “I am seeing a lot of growth in the way I perform and communicate overall … my sound is more mature and I can confidently say this is not the shy, quiet person that entered the music industry in 2010.”

Hailing from Grants Pen, Don Pree, or as his mother prefers to call him, Kemar Francis, has taken the route of attending street dances like the popular Boom Sundays held close to his home to promote new music.

“I have never been one for competitions and don’t see myself entering any of the locally hosted ones because it is my perspective that we put on show, sometimes taken for a joke and not necessarily given the right attention to get a buss,” Don Pree told THE STAR.

He continued: “Selectors like Boom Boom and Harry Hype have really helped to get the songs playing in the streets and on radio as well, plus it is always a great experience to showcase my talent in the eye of the public.”

Don Pree admits music was not the career path that he was always on; his mother had pointed him in the direction of studying law or medicine, and his involvement in sports, particularly football, while attending Jamaica College, had many thinking he would take that up on a professional level.

“My nickname in school was Zidane but me get too much hurt from football,” he said.

He is also a lover of art and was known among his peers as someone with a talent to draw and paint unique images.

Right after high school, Don Pree followed his heart and changed his image by putting his artistic skills to work.

He created drawings that are now inked into his skin, including his signature symbol, the ‘8’ ball, which he says “signifies good and evil or the balance between winning and losing; while striving to win I remind myself constantly there is still a possibility of losing.”

His present musical style emulates Vybz Kartel, Super Cat, Bounty Killer and Masicka, but he claims the end product all depends on the tempo and energy a rhythm gives him, even with the influence of the named role models.

He said, “In five years I see myself as a force to be reckoned with, possibly even a household name, and with the path I am on right now, that goal looks very promising. I only wish the industry would give the youth, the new talents, a chance, instead of dwelling on the established.”

Releases: Top Boss, Money Remedy, Takeover and Rite Yah Suh.

Inspiration: Listening to great music and getting love from peers, friends and family.

Interesting fact: “For a man that portrays this tattooed-up, gangster image, it would probably surprise the people to know seh Don Pree a di type fi listen an’ ah try sing the highest note of a Celine Dion track while him a bathe.”