Star on the Rise: Adin-I has the last laugh - Aspiring deejay determined to make musical impact

When a teenage Adale Knight told his immediate family that he wanted to pursue music, the deejay recalls them all having a good laugh.

To them, the then student of Calabar High could not be serious.

But Knight had the last laugh when after hearing a track he recorded, they admitted he had the talent and decided to show him their full support.

“I grew up on Bay Farm Road with my mother, my aunt, my cousins and my sister. When I told them I wanted to become an artiste they all laughed at me, they didn’t think I was serious. But I was determined to prove to dem dat I was very talented. So I started recording, and when I started that and they heard the first song, they all were on board and told me to push my talent further,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been doing since then. I know what I want from music and I’m going for it with everything I have.”

Knight, who goes by the stage name Adin-I, says he has big plans for the future. In addition to singing, the entertainer wants to dabble in the production side of music.

He believes in developing himself in all aspects of the industry.

Grammy aspirations

“Adin-I has a lot planned for the future. I want to do everything in music, learn everything there is to learn. I have Grammy aspirations and not just as a recording artiste, but as a producer,” he said. “I’m currently working on my entertainment company, Wetflo Entertainment, with partners MJ and Jordane Wetflo. They are currently my musical team and we are looking to build from the ground up in this business.”

With a head full of big dreams, Adin-I said the only thing holding him back right now is money. He explained that financing a career as an independent artiste is not easy.

He admits his career would be more advanced if he had the support of a team.

“Being that I don’t have a real management team behind my music currently, it’s kinda rough. Wetflo is the team behind me pushing the strings right now and we don’t really have the money like that,” he said.

Still, the artiste is determined to fulfil his dreams and is happy he has the support of at least one dancehall selector.

“Boom Boom identify my talent and say him a go push it to the world and he’s rotating my music. My new single, London Love, is getting crazy love in the streets because of him,” he said. “Uptown Mondayz, Boasty Tuesdays, it’s been getting a lot of strength, and the reaction I’m getting from the fans is overwhelming. Once yuh find real persons weh fi work wid yuh, yuh have no problem making moves. I can talk that based off experience.”

Persons he hopes to collaborate with: Shenseea and US rapper Meek Mill.

Musical Inspirations: Vershon, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Popcaan, Mavado and Alkaline.

Tracks to look out for 2020: Far Away, produced by RME music and Dre Hype on the CanJam rhythm.