Speedy Cash and big dreams - Novado Icon wants to turn ghetto roots into dancehall gold

Up-and-coming dancehall artiste Novado Icon is on a mission to prove that success is within reach for anyone, no matter their background. Hailing from the vibrant community of Payne Land, St Andrew, the young entertainer is determined to show the world that being a product of the ghetto isn't a setback, but a springboard to greatness.

In addition to his dream of achieving international stardom, Novado Icon wants to spotlight the untapped potential within Kingston's inner-city communities, where many young entertainers are eager for their big break.

"A nuh like mi a duh dis fi myself, mi dweet fi di people dem who waah see wi dweet and waah see wi go out deh and can represent and seh,'Yeah man, a Payne Land product or ghetto product dis,'" Novado Icon THE STAR.

He continued: "Right now, nuff uptown and country people a buss, and a some town man time now."

The young entertainer said that Kingston has always been the birthplace of music, and he is determined to play his part to help the capital city reclaim its place as being the area from which world-class talent emerge.

A past student of Excelsior High School and Kingston College, Novado Icon was bitten my the musica bug during his younger years. He recalled earning the admiration of his peers after completing a class project while at primary school.

"Wi get a little test fi make our own product and advertise it, and me decide seh me a build a song. Mi build the song, and mi see di whole a di pickney dem inna my class love it. And from deh suh mi a seh, 'No man, mi a artiste,' suh mi just start remix song, remix song until mi just start build my own thing them," he shared.

The entertainer, whose given name is Nevardo Rodney, said that during his teenage years he was passionate about reading, dancing and playing football, but his love for "freestyling music" overpowered those interests.

Having spent time honing his craft, Novado Icon is convinced that his big break is on the horizon. While dancehall remains his primary genre, Icon said his ability to draw inspiration from various musical styles highlights his versatility.

"Music a just music ,and a di sound dem get to mi, suh sometimes mi not even a listen to wah di person dem a seh inna di song; a di beat - di beat coming like it just control mi. Sometimes a just hear me hear something and mi seh, yuh know, mi a guh find dat deh song deh, and mi jus start listen to it and vibe, and just automatically start create mi own style out of that," Novado Icon said.

The singjay likens his drive for music to the "engine in mi Bimma trunk", insisting that nothing else excites him more. While influenced by the Pop King Michael Jackson, his ambition and self-driven personality fuel his journey.

Novado Icon released one of his most notable singles, Speedy Cash, earlier this year. He described it as a "defining moment". According to him, "a bare money start mek" after its release. The singjay, who has also released the songs Sweat Pants N T Shirt, Money and Currency, plans to remain dedicated to his craft as he strives to become one of the best the business has ever seen.

"Wi just deh inna wi owna lane ... . Wi a sing different things from weh everybody else a sing. Not saying similar topics can't pop up, but just the delivery and the time I'm going to put in to structure my thing, because mi want di consumers dem feel weh mi a seh, a nuh jus' waah nursery rhyme,"Novado Icon said.