Dilly Chris chronicles his ‘journey’ with debut album
Jamaica-born Dilly Chris boasts a long, rigorous journey to becoming a recording artiste and “all the labour is paying off,” he told THE WEEKEND STAR, following an intimate listening session by the poolside at the AC Marriott Hotel in St Andrew last Tuesday.
The listening session, attended by special guests from the dancehall community, was to introduce Dilly Chris’ first official album, appropriately titled My Journey, after launching his professional career in 2000.
“Back then, it was really me on my own, funding my own thing without even a team to help with the marketing and promotion of my music,” Dilly Chris explained about why he’s only now having a debut album. The artiste further explained that he had started his family early.
“And as a man with children, it is important to balance fatherhood and find time for family. Even though all your efforts are going into something that will benefit them, so that your children can have whatever they want and need, they won’t be understanding if all your time is spent doing music. So, I’ve made time to be with them for every milestone, graduations, whatever it may be,” he further explained.
Two of his three children, oldest son Delano, 21, and daughter Dayjanae, 14, were present to offer support.
The phrase ‘Yo, Izy, are you kidding me?’ which echoes at the beginning of Toast by Koffee, is actually the voice of his youngest child, Dylan, who is now 13. He is currently working with Grammy Awardwinning producer IzyBeats, known for his work on Koffee’s Rapture EP. Last year, his single Money Up, which IzyBeats produced, made a breakthrough on the international scene.
Dilly Chris said, “I’ve gained more because I have the support of my children, and other artistes in the industry can tell you that’s how it works.”
Last year, Dilly Chris released five singles, three more than he would usually do in one year. He credited this to being able to buckle down in an at-home studio.
Tracks like Cyaa Dead Out, Money A De Pree and Living My Life had the small group of guests moving on Tuesday.
“People must understand I have seen a lot of changes happen within the industry and music being a cycle, an artiste has to change with it,” he said. “I am truly pleased with the reaction I saw in the expression on the faces of those present, this debut means a lot to me because you never know how people are going to really react.”