Arts Entertainment

Devin Di Dakta: 59th Annual Grammy Nominee

devin-di-dakta

Jamaica’s “lyrical surgeon”, Anthony Escoffery Clark aka Devin the Dakta, is nominated for the Grammy’s 2017 Best Reggae Album of the Year Award. So how has life been since the nomination?

Devin officially came on the scene during Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall in May 2015, where he blew away the judges and the Jamaican people with his lyrical prowess.

Once aspiring to become a medical doctor, Devin changed course and decided to use his skills as a lyrical surgeon. Amidst the uncertainties that exist in the music industry, Devin has a supportive family who allow him to explore his talents freely.

“Listen, if me guh to mi family and seh me want to fly, dem wuda seh aaright Devin, see two wing here try with wid dem.”

Motivated by his love of trap and pop music, Devin joined with former Rising Stars contestant J.L. to compile the Album, Reggae for Her which was produced by Sly and Robbie and distributed by Tuff Gong International with the support of his management team at John John Music Group.

“I was in studio for hours, days and weeks working on di lyrics, di music; mi know it would be a hit from the minute mi start di journey, me just know seh it did aguh bad, because a suh me go inna it, we seh with every session this gonna be Grammy music.”

Success can make or break an artiste, so what has changed for Devin since the nomination?

“Mi always surround miself with real people, suh nutn nuh change… girls always run een, but mi know what me want.”

So what’s his next move? Devin plans to showcase his creative genius by topping his current album with an EP dubbed I am Escoffery, expected to break the glass ceiling on dancehall music. The EP, a fusion of trap, dancehall and electronic sounds, is inspired by his admiration of the work of Justin Bieber, Nick Jonas and Arianna Grande.

His ultimate dream collaboration would be with Canadian pop artiste Justin Bieber whom he believes has made his own mark in the music industry and is an inspiration to aspiring and growing artistes.

The 21-year-old is focused, hardworking, talented and creative. With a solid support system and a level head, Devin sees himself in line to becoming one of the greatest that Dancehall has ever seen. With that tenacity and drive, success is at his beckon and calling.

To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #10, 2017 Issue.