Dancehall.Mobi special feature – Although he has been around for sometime, it was Darrio’s link with dancehall artiste Konshens that has been helping him to get his big break in the music industry. Late last year (2008), Darrio, whose real name is Darrio Johnson, met Mark Pinnock and Konshens at Natural Bridge studio, and even after Konshens split from the label, Darrio was still under his wings.

“I started doing some shows with him and I start get riddims from some popular producers. Up and down with Konshens, people always a wonder who me be,” Darrio said. To give his career a push, he did two songs with Konshens. One called “Hooked On You” and the other called “Do Di Ting” (which is on Tarik “Russian” Johnston’s GoGo Club riddim.

“It (the collaborations) really a do well fi mi as an upcoming artiste ‘cause people a get fi hear mi in the streets,” Darrio said.

But this is not his first shot at music. The 23-year-old artiste said he has always been involved in music, as both his parents were part of a band in Trelawny, where he was born. “Everywhere mi turn, mi buck up pon people weh have the same desire musically,” said Darrio, who has lived in places like Franklyn Town, Allman Town, Red Hills, Bull Bay and Harbour View.

While attending Clan Carthy High School, he performed at community events and national competitions. He also entered Guinness Undisputed and later Sting Starmaker, which led to his first opportunity to perform at Sting 2005, which was followed by two subsequent appearances on the show.

“Di whole music game is like a competition. Di competitions I entered really gear mi up and show mi how fi approach the whole music industry,” Darrio said.

He also worked with Nocturnal Productions. During that time he became more serious about music and released a song called “Shub Out”. But, with much uncertainty in the music business and a child on the way, he decided to take a regular day job. “It’s not like I took a break but mi start do the music part-time,” he said, while noting that over the years he has worked at a bakery, supermarket, hotel (as a bellhop) and as a salesperson. However, he left those jobs as he felt the need to pursue his love for music. This he has been doing actively since last year, after linking with Konshens and he is pleased with his progress.

“Mi caan complain ‘cause mi remember the days when it wasn’t like this. Now mi can wake up and turn on mi radio and listen mi song play and hear it pull-up,” he said. “Mi can go certain place and people identify mi. Mi happy but mi nuh complacent. Mi still a strive fi be better and improve pon mi craft.”

Currently, Darrio is doing work with producer “Russian”, and Subkonshus Music. He is also doing work with producers in France and the United States. Undoubtedly, Darrio is one to watch for in 2010.

- Contributed

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