Still a RISING STAR
Delando Colley poised for a ‘come up’
MAKING IT in the music industry is notoriously no easy feat, but for Delando Colley, this is one adversity he is determined to overcome. Formerly a contestant on the popular TV show Digicel Rising Stars, Colley has had several stints with musical fame and is looking now to rekindle the fire.
“When I entered Rising Stars, I was just 16. I think that was very brave of me,” said Colley.
He was born and raised in the
Rising Stars was a confirmation that this is what I should do for the rest of my life.
St Elizabeth community of Roses Valley, where he attended the nearby Comfort Hall All-Age School. Later, while attending Holmwood Technical High, he became an active member of the choir, which encouraged his Rising Stars attempt. To audition for the show, the young Colley had to journey to May Pen, which was more than an hour away from home. However, difficulties financing that trip would not deter him from his date with destiny.
“I had to ask one of my friends for money because I knew that my parents did not have it. I also asked my dad for a letter of consent,” he said. Expectedly, he was nervous. “I remember exactly that the audition was on a Friday and it was a very hot day. I felt so sick, but I performed Michael Jackson’s When I Had You, and when I was done, even the people from the gas station and in the line were clapping.”
Days later, the producers would call the talented youngster bearing the best kind of news – he had made it to the live show.
“I was overwhelmed with joy! When I arrived at the hotel (where the show is taped), I got the chance to meet the other contestants, and by the end of the first show, I was finding my comfort zone. During it all, I met some extraordinary people, even the people behind the scenes made my experience memorable,” said Colley. Alas, his chances at claiming the grand title were cut short as the young singer finished strong in third place. For him, however, the experience was simply eye-opening.
He told Youthlink,“Rising Stars was a confirmation that this is what I should do for the rest of my life.”
Now 22 and pursuing music as a full-time career, Colley is working hard to capture the hearts of Jamaicans through his talent once again. He admits that there have been many disappointments along his journey post Rising Stars, but says he uses humility to remedy these rough times.
COLLABORATIONS
Since the competition, Colley has worked with TJ Records on a mixtape alongside the likes of Tarrus Riley, I-Octane and Bugle. It was heavily rotated in Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ghana. At the time, he didn’t have a manager.
“After a few months, I decided to educate myself and started attending the Edna Manley College, where I studied music and the industry. I did two years there then decided to pursue music full-time, because this is what I wanted to do,” he said.
Managed now by John John Music Group, which is also responsible for talents like Devin Di Dakta and Rre, Delando is currently promoting
his latest single, Better Place – a collaboration with Blackmattic. He describes the song as “Just an upliftment to all the people who want to be at a better place in their life. Even though sometimes things aren’t going so great, if you push yourself instead of waiting on someone to give you that opportunity, you can make your own success”. He charged, finally, “I will tell anyone with a talent, never give up on your dreams. Also, audition for
because you never know what the outcome might be.”
Delando can be found online on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat: @DelandoColley or on Twitter: @DelandoOfficial.
I decided to educate myself and started attending the Edna Manley College, where I studied music and the industry. I did two years there then decided to pursue music full-time, because this is what I wanted to do.