Kaream Kharizma ready to break barriers - Old Harbour native sets sight on international stardom

Though born and raised in an area crippled by violence, dancehall artiste Kaream Kharizma said he is seen as a "star" among residents of Old Harbour, St Catherine, due to his passion for music.

The determined and fashionable singjay told THE STAR that though he was exposed to several negative routes while growing up, he decided to choose "the right path," - music.

"Di whole thing start with me being an area star, because a whole heap a show gwaan in the area and mi always deh pon dem a perform. [But] Old Harbour is really a musical environment as well, suh a deh so wi really get the first exposure inna music. Yuh have a whole heap a sound [systems], artistes and a whole heap a [events always] a gwaan. But a we [new artistes] a go come kick off di door now and mek dem know it can happen," he said, with a smile.

"Me think music inna me from mi born. But mi father addi first person mi come see a deejay; and every Friday, sound string up inna di yawd, soup a boil, chicken a jerk, and a deh so mi see di vibe and like di energy," he stated.

His professional music career got moving with a buzz in 2015, when he recorded his first EP and landed major deals, such as a collaboration with Christopher Martin on Gyal Magnet (Remix). Though the gig did not catapult his career as he anticipated, he remained persistent in putting his name on the map. In rebranding and reinventing his position within the dancehall space, the singjay's bold image of sporting an "antenna-designed" dreadlocked hairstyle is what, he said, physically sets him apart.

"Di music alone naah guh really work, enuh, yuh image affi spark attention," he declared, speaking of the look some have labelled as "satanic/demonic horns".

"Mi did have a video shoot and inna one addi scene dem mi did need fi look different. Suh mi duh mi hair like dis and inna di night mi get a show. [But after] the show, di next mawnin everybody a seh, 'Di youth wid di ting inna him hair, a him tek di show.' And right den, mi a realise seh di image very important, suh mi jus seh mi a go work wid dis," said the Boasy Bwoy artiste. He said the 'antenna' "a pick up weh a gwaan and di whole energy".

"Is a hairstyle, man, it can change. But it addi image mi a work wid right now. Some [fans] seh it give a likkle devilish/Baphomet look, but if yuh listen mi music dem, mi naah sing nutten 'bout no devil - wi deh yah fi sell music, not hairstyle," he said.

In addition to his eye-catching image, he opined that his versatility and ability to tap into all genres can help him to flourish steadily in music. He said being featured in notable blogs and global magazines is also a testament to the value and impact his music has been having universally.

"Mi always believe inna my craft, suh when mi a [put in] di work, mi always expect to reach the highest. [Securing these deals] show mi seh di work weh mi a put in inna di studio a night-time, a bleach inna di [streets] doing promotion, actually a work, and it's a joy fi know seh it a [pay off]," said Kaream Kharizma, whose given name is Jeavor Beharrie. He opined that his music has the ability to transcend borders and cultures, and bridge the gap between Jamaica and the international music scenes.

"My music is kinda personal - mi sing 'bout my life and what [impact] me, and people can relate to it. But mi a put in the work now fi kick off some more doors and mek di ting spread wide," he said. The artiste said that youth need a spokesperson from whom they can get experience in music, and he plans to provide that.

"In the next five years, mi see miself as the next superstar, internationally," said the singer, who plans to make a lasting impact similar to that of Bob Marley.