11-y-o wows studio executives - Says ‘mommy nuh raise nuh fool’

Aspiring artistes from across the island turned up at 12 William Crescent, off Olympic Way, St Andrew, anticipating a chance to record the next big hit during the weekend-long, free expo at recording studio Frenz For Real.

But it was 11-year-old Dwayne Dino Pascoe, from Cassia Park, who bowled over the recording studio executives with his determination when he arrived with a friend on Saturday.

"Everyone was questioning how he got there but later found out that veteran artiste Predator, a loyal supporter of our establishment, was a relative of his," said producer Keron Young. "We immediately called his mother, who gave us permission to work with him and we have not regretted doing so."

Pascoe, the stage name he has chosen, told THE STAR, "Me hear about the expo from my friend. When I reach, I sing the song for them and sign up the form and them voice me. It was my first time recording."

Hard worker

Pascoe is a grade six student at the Pembroke Hall Primary, who is preparing to sit the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations next year. Distance-learning has been a challenge, he said, "but I am a hard worker and as I say in the song, ' mommy nuh raise nuh fool'."

Recording artiste Qrush, who acted as his coach and assisted him with completing the song, said the youngster is "a fast learner".

"When I started out, I never had this opportunity to get a coach and trust me him never hard fi work with," he said.

Engineer Robert 'Engin Gear' Rodney said, "This yute have a future, him bad." Speaking to THE STAR, Pascoe's mother Falon Johnson explained that she expects no less for him.

"DJ (his pet name), picks up on things fast but at the same time, he gets easily distracted. Since the holidays I have him doing some PEP classes which a teacher offered to provide for free and invited him to take all when him a complain say is holiday. I tell him if he doesn't put school first, it nah guh work," she said.

Johnson said she was not surprised that he made his way to Frenz For Real, as he expressed an interest in music very early. She also shared that they come from a musical family.

"(Recording artiste) Hempress Sativa is his aunt on my father's side. My father Ilawi, plays with Jah Love Sound who worked with Brigadier Jerry and others, and Predator is family as well and he has had a lot of training in the church. From he was a baby we give him a microphone," said Johnson, who works in the health ministry as a vector control aid. "During school time he goes to a cousin's house since we don't have access to Wi-Fi at home. I have applied for it, but I am yet to receive it. Virtual school is challenging and I see where sitting in front of the laptop is affecting his eyes."

The burgeoning star is Johnson's only child, and she is overprotective of him.

"DJ's father died when he was just six months in my belly, so I just ask the Lord to watch over my child. Jamaica is a place that lives music and it is a language we speak and if he plans to do it, him supposed to can shape people mind using the knowledge he learns in school," she said.