Koachxlla steps out with ‘Suppose’

Dancehall artiste Koachxlla knows the true meaning of sacrifice, as when he was a child, his mother sacrificed her life to save him from marauding gunmen after a home invasion.

"My mother is a bad gyal, a superwoman inna real life," he said. She challenged the killers and died protecting her children. Since age 10, Koachxlla has had to deal with that trauma, old wounds which are laid bare in May whenever Mother's Day is celebrated.

"It is the pain of having all that to deal with, and knowing she gave her life for mine basically. Is a chip that I carry on my shoulders, so whether I want to cry or talk about it, it is always there," he said. "As a matter of fact, I knew and understood stuff about my trauma that not even my dad could relate to."

These experiences push him towards being the best he can be. He wants to be the best in the game and that is why he is pushing his latest single, Suppose, which was released on May 17.

"The feedback is honestly surprising and humbling, because the record is being compared to 450's What If, and we all know that's a massive record. The song itself is inspired by real events in my life. I always have time for the ladies, and this track speaks to them directly, kinda asking all the right questions," he said.

Born in Montego Bay, St James, his family relocated to Old Harbour, St Catherine, where he attended Old Harbour High School. He played defensive midfield for his high school team, representing the school in the DaCosta Cup. He earned the nickname 'Cochi' in high school, and when he began to experiment with music, he rechristened himself Koachxlla. He released his first single, Steam, in 2018 with Dan Sky Records.

He is currently working with Creg Henclewood, CEO of Fire Royal Records, and Anthony Martin, CEO of DJ Seed Production. Koachxlla is already preparing to drop his second single, City Lock.

"I cannot be alive and not make the most of each day, and become someone she (his mother) can be remembered for. My main focus now is to improve myself and become a force in dancehall, and understand how it moves barriers," he said.