Portr8te aims to be a ‘musical therapist’

From creating rhythms using pencils while living in Lyssons, St Thomas, to accompanying his brother to the studios, Delano Willis never lost focus of his dream to become an artiste as he said his "eyes are always on the prize".

As an avid churchgoer in his younger years, the recording artiste said his stage moniker, 'Portr8te', which has an interesting concept, was ordained by God.

"The '8' represents the '8ters' [haters] cause yuh know di haters are the motivators. [But] I just wanted to be radical, peculiar and unique in my art. So 'portrait' is a feature that is associated with [phone cameras], but I changed up a few things in it fi show seh mi kinda unique. But when you scrutinise this [portrait] feature, you realise that the moment you focus the camera, the background goes blurry. So that is what I implement in my daily life - the background is the distraction," he said. Suh when yuh can blur out yuh background [which represents] your haters, people fabricating on your name and trying to tear you down or being pessimistic towards your personal evolution, you'll remain focused."

He added that portrait also represents art, "suh in terms of music, [it means] I try to be creative".

"So when you stay focused in life, you will have less distractions," Portr8te told THE STAR.

With an inspired outlook on navigating life through music, using it as a safe haven, "finding solitude" in his own company and doing some soul searching, Portr8te, who is also versed in playing the drums, said he has found his rightful place as a singer.

"Music actually saved me, because since I started my musical career, I realised that I can be in solitude for a longer period of time. Suh doing the music, it can keep my company and mek mi feel relaxed, free and feel that exuberant spirit. Suh I think the music is really my thing. Music keeps me focused and I'm a very ambitious person, so I'm all about growth and evolution. So even in the music, every day I try to learn something new so I can be a better musician," shared the artiste, who started his professional music career two years ago.

As a past graduate of the Seaforth High School, he also holds a HEART/NSTA Trust certificate in level III plumbing, and with an ambitious drive to balance both a nine to five job with his musical passion, he also operates as a supervisor at a logistic firm.

With a strong support system from his partner and "strongest motivator", along with his family, the Who To Trust artiste said he is more confident in pursuing a career to make all who believe in him proud.

Speaking about one of his first recorded singles, Dead or Alive, he explores the thought-provoking idea of "pain and sufferation" even after death.

"From a spiritual perspective, even the dead is feeling pain; the living is hurting and the dead is hurting. You have people out there right now, the only thing for them to do is [commit] suicide. So I want to be a therapist in the music so they can relate to my songs suh it can actually heal them from their pain and their suffering," he declared.

While currently working under the recording label, Thugz Fraternity Music, owned and operated by recording artiste/producer, MahDeva, Portr8te said he plans to continue on a journey to heal and change his supporters through positive music with his upcoming single titled, All These Pains.

"I want to get international recognition to help bring other musicians in the industry. Music is a very powerful thing and it's very impactful on society because what [people] consume musically, they will want to do it in real life. So I want to gather as many people to put the positive music out there so it can help society, because the prime minister alone cannot help," he said.

Portr8te plans to stay relevant and trendy in a fast-paced musical environment by remaining "unique and positive" with his lyrics while he continues on his journey to stardom.