Substannzz vies for house over car in new single

Aspiring dancehall artiste Substannzz has re-emerged with a controversial single, ' Waan Rich', sharing his perspective to the popular TikTok slang, 'house caan skate pon toll'.

"Dem have this argument going around on TikTok, where the youth of today are thinking about acquiring [cars like the] Beast, a GLE, or a fat Bimmer or Benz - a vehicle that can 'skate pon toll,' is what they need. But I am saying that is not the ultimate goal. Mi have a counter argument that it is better to own houses instead of getting a car. I would rather own five houses and still ah tek taxi," said the artiste.

"Anybody wid strong sense will tell demself dat cars and all a dat a liability. House and real estate/properties - those are ultimate goals because if yuh buy a car today, yuh can crash it tomorrow. But if yuh build a house, that's more stability," he told THE STAR.

Substannzz said the single has been gaining traction and is even "changing lives" as "nuff people who were saying 'Beast over house' start agreeing with what I'm saying". Waan Rich was produced by the Miami-based recording label Artekal Music, to which the aspiring singjay is now signed.

"It's a tremendous feeling [partnering with the label] and we'll just take it a step at a time. It's a great feeling so far and the work that we putting in, it's paying off. So I'm glad we made that move," he stated. The St Thomas native said he is also looking to spread his wings globally.

"[With] the music business, enuh, yuh can rise from it but the business part of it [which is] the best part of it isn't here. Suh yuh affi look to international stardom and that's where the best part of it come from," said the artiste who has been pursuing his musical dreams since 2015.

Though the struggles and lack of needed resources have hindered his rise to becoming a household name, his confidence and persistence are among the things that keep him going.

"Is not everything in the environment shape us, because wi nuh duh di bag a scamming type a songs and dem ting deh. Wi try fi stay more on the positive side," he stated. Coming from a place of 'grimy street life', Substannzz described two life-changing moments which also reshaped his musical direction.

"In 2022 and 2023 I had two serious setbacks. I did a hernia surgery in 2022 and it slow mi down, and by di time mi up again and outside, mi deh a Masicka yard a do some work. The evening after work mi slide and bruk mi ankle two places. Suh dat gimmie a dangerous setback again. But a God a win, enuh, because bad things happen more while to prevent worse things," he reasoned.

"I've been through a lot, lose a lot a friends to jailhouse, dead house and all sort a supmn, and yuh affi talk to yuhself more time [because] the best inspiration come from within. When you can see the fault and correct yourself, that's the best thing you can do for yourself and tell yuhself seh this is not the life that you want. Mi quit smoking and everything and leggo certain things, focus pon mi career and mi youths," he added.

Following this thorough introspection, and after successfully crossing those hurdles which altered the singer's life in making more fulfilling choices, Substannzz said fans can brace themselves for more "good music and great performances", as he aims for stardom. Substannzz said he is open to writing and collaborating with any artiste. He is working on a seven-track EP, titled Patience is Key.

Substannzz, whose given name is Cavin Stewart, first jumped into the spotlight with the single, Shadows. He has also released singles such as Grip Wrench, Mama and Big Heart.