Sas El Gringo hoping to pull ‘Big Food’ from dancehall

With hopes of going from rags from riches, up-and-coming dancehall artiste Sas El Gringo is putting everything behind his music career, with a dream of making it big and helping those who have travelled with him on his journey.

Hailing from August Town, St Andrew, the 26-year-old has already begun to make strides in the industry, but his dreams of getting his big break began from high school.

"Life growing up was never easy. I lost my mom at age 16 and from them time, a the streets grow mi. Me and mi little bro and mi father come from a poor background, but everything is a work in progress," he told THE STAR.

"From high school mi have the drive fi become a brand in dancehall when mi see say a me bring the music vibe every lunchtime. Back then, I win most of the competition I attend," he continued.

Born Nicholas Oshane Francis, the young deejay attended the Mavis Bank High School. In 2014, he won the August Town Talent Search and recorded his first single in grade 10. He definitely made some waves last year after the release of a collaboration with dancehall artiste Intence, the track Big Food, which was produced by YowLevite. The track currently has over 200,000 views on YouTube since its release in December.

"[The collaboration with] Intence [came about] because we just medz we lifestyle and sing about it in a the right vibe. The riddim itself was a hit alone," he shared of the genesis of the collaboration. Sas El Gringo said Intence is one of his biggest inspirations.

"Mi know where him start from and is a great look, and fi see someone way you play ball wid at school rise, like, so great; and a dat inspire me fi dweet great same way," he said.

Where music is concerned, he shared that he wants to be the 'gringo' of dancehall by remaining authentic and giving it his own twist. This is based on what he says is the best advice he has received on his journey, which is to never compete or compare himself to anyone.

"Mi have mi own style one. Yah fi lucky when you see mi; and every ting mi say in the music, we dweet in a real life," he shared.

For 2023, he said he is hoping to achieve much bigger things for himself in the industry.

"Nuff, nuff new music and videos for 2023. I am looking forward to some TV interviews and so much more. It's just greatness," he said.