In Jamaican dancehall circles, careers are often determined by timing. After 16 years in the music business, deejay Bling Ras got his break thanks to an impromptu introduction from one of the genre’s biggest names.
He was backstage at Ghetto Splash in Kingston in December, when Beenie Man called him on stage and ordered him “fi go bus’ di place.”
The un-billed Bling Ras got less than five minutes on stage, but it was enough to ignite the early morning crowd in Drewsland where Ghetto Splash was held. He performed his song Money Nuff.
“Mi know Beenie Man from long time, an’ him know sey mi have di potential from how long. A jus’ di chance mi want,” said Bling Ras.
Though only 34 years-old, Bling Ras has been in the music business since he was 16. He is originally from Clarendon, a sugar-belt parish in rural Jamaica that has produced reggae greats like Toots Hibbert, Freddie McGregor and Derrick Morgan.
Moving to Kingston, the Jamaica capital, he hooked up with Junior Reid’s One Blood production company and recorded a handful of songs but most of them were not released. He worked as a promotions man with the label for over a decade, helping to push songs by Reid and his sons, Andrew and Wada Blood.
Frustrated at lack of opportunities, Bling Ras took a break from recording to operate a bar in Kingston. But he returned to the game last year with Money Nuff, produced by D Beatz Productions out of Miami.
The song has enjoyed steady rotation in dances and given Bling Ras a solid foundation to build on in 2019.
You must log in to post a comment.