12-year-old artiste inspired by dad to do music

Twelve-year-old Sterling Clout is creating waves with his musical talent as a budding dancehall-reggae/trap artiste, whose career blossomed from the warmth and comfort of his dad singing to him as an infant.

Sterling told STAR Kids Rollout that being an artiste was fate as his father, Orville Anderson, stage name Euro Staxx, is also an artiste.

"Well, I was listening to my dad from a young age, around eight or six. And one day, me and my dad was there in the house when I [said] I wanted to become an artiste. I was writing music on a book and it didn't come out good so my father decided that he's gonna help with the music," said Sterling, given name Deshawn Anderson. He said they started to brainstorm on an appropriate stage name for him.

"So my dad said 'Young Euro', [but] I was thinking and saying 'Well, what happens if I become older?' and then we thought that we [will] try look for a money name so we came up with the name 'Sterling Pound' and then we changed it from the 'Pound' to 'Clout'," he said. They have an unbreakable bond and dad ensures his impact and presence are felt in every aspect of his son's life.

"I used to sing my songs as bedtime songs to him. [But] he broke his leg at age six, when he just started prep school, so he was home a lot. So we were singing and that's when he started getting interested and started singing my songs. I hear the tone of voice and the melodies in how he's doing it and mi see seh he's doing something great. But I didn't want to be the one to force him or put the music to him. So it was good when I started writing the lyrics [and] he was supposed to do his homework," Anderson chuckled as he reminisced. "So that's when I [officially] introduced him to music [and] said, 'I'll start writing, help you to get the music together and recording; [which led to] his first recorded song, Life, just before COVID in 2020'." Despite the pandemic slowing down the creative process somewhat, Anderson still trained Sterling through exercise routines and vocal training because he knew his son was destined to become a star.

The Port Antonio High School seventh grader said that he remains among the top 10 performers in his class and was promoted to a more advanced class last term. With the help of his dad, Sterling maintains a balanced and disciplined schedule.

"Most of his recordings and performances are normally [done outside] of school time so I don't have a lot of things come up that would affect his school. It's difficult balancing it, but we get it done. And we plan every time how we're going to get about it. We try not to involve [or] try to merge in on the school," said Anderson.

"I [do everything] in stages and I try [to do] stage shows and interviews and stuff on Sundays and Saturdays [or] when I get the chance," said Sterling. This was also evident in his song School Time, which was requested to be written as a "representation of his preparatory school".

Sterling's musical content is often embedded with potent lyrics which zoom in on topics concerning current affairs, politics and the importance of education. Anderson is determined to ensure his son showcases a wide range of his musical talent as he anticipates the release of their upcoming single, Psalms 23 - a rendition of the popular Bible scripture, with a twist. The elated dad said he is always "very proud" to watch his son perform and expose his talent and encouraged parents to allow their children to develop on their innate passions, whether or not they desire to transform them into a profession.

Since Sterling's career has gained recognition, he has been booked to perform on major events such as Boom Box Fridayz, Port Antonio's main stage show, Image International Music Festival, and Fun Fest. Though admitting there's work to be done in improving his stage skills, Sterling said he'll remain confident and persistent in perfecting his craft as his long-term goal in music is to "travel the world, meet new people, create new songs and collaborations". His secondary goal is to become a doctor.