Short Boss eyes X Factor

Six years after winning the 'Digicel Rising Stars' competition, singer Short Boss is preparing his vocals in the hope of competing in overseas talent series 'Britain's Got Talent' (BGT) and 'X Factor'.

The St Catherine-born singer, whose given name is Akeem Smith, said he has applied to both competitions.

" I want to show a lot of people I am in a class by myself, by winning both the X Factor and BGT. I am more mature and experienced than when I entered the Digicel Rising Stars competition and won in 2017. I have far more stage craft, having consistently been on shows in Jamaica and abroad," he reasoned.

BGT is a televised British talent show competition that allows singers, dancers, impressionists, magicians and other acts to showcase their skills in the hope of winning cash, endorsements and concert bookings. Similarly, contestants on the X Factor seek to impress the judges and the voting audience with their talent and win the coveted prize and a record contract.

Jamaicans are no strangers to winning overseas talent competitions. Songstress Tessanne Chin won The Voice in 2013, and Dalton Harris won X Factor UK in 2018. Earlier this week, Remone Watson, winner of the 2023 renewal of Rising Stars, said that he, too, is looking to compete in The Voice. Short Boss, having spent countless hours perfecting his craft, is confident that his name can be written is lights atop those big stages as well.

"I applied and got through for the BGT, but missed the audition in Excel, London, at Royal Dock due to circumstances beyond my control. I was looking for a call, but it was the wrong timing. I was on a contract and did not have Internet access where I was working at the time," he told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Short Boss said he intends to reapply for the 2024 auditions. The singer said he has also applied to X Factor and is awaiting a response. "Once I get through, it will be over and done," he said.

The entertainer, who is currently on tour in Spain, said that while it may be appear that he has not been actively pursuing music, that perception "is far from the truth".

"I have done a lot of shows at hotels located in Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. I resigned and joined Familiar Strangers, a band which has given me the opportunity of travelling to places like Amsterdam, Iceland, the Netherlands and United States," Short Boss said.