Hangxous for success - Derrick Juell hoping to follow grand-uncle ‘Toots’ Hibbert’s footsteps

Hangxous has his sights set on making an impact in the music industry – just like his grand-uncle, the late Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert did.

The artiste, whose real name is Derrick Juell, recently released his first single titled Domestic, a defence of women who are dealing with domestic abuse.

Dubbing himself as ‘the pain artiste’, he said his songs are aimed at hurting souls and trying to make people who are facing hardship, or going through rough times, feel good.

According to Hangxous, who lives in Treadlight and spoke with The Gleaner at the public viewing of the late reggae icon at the St Gabriel’s Anglican Church in May Pen, he was inspired by Hibbert, who he dubs a ‘soul reaper’.

“He does music that can touch people who are in pain and going through tribulation day by day,” he said.

A past student of Denbigh High School, Hangxous said he was drawn into music at the age of 10, but he got serious about it 10 years ago. However, he admits it has been a long, hard rocky road trying to carve out a niche for himself in the business.

He is thankful that Toots had ‘the talk’ with him after he shared his desire to enter the music industry.

“He encouraged me a lot, reminding me it is a hard road and one that is never easy. He told me to always expect a fight, but I should ensure to keep determination close,” he said.

Hailing from a community which sometimes has flare-ups in violence, Hangxous said he stayed on the ‘straight and narrow’ by knowing exactly what he wanted.

“In life, you must have an aim and know what you need – not what you want,” he stressed, adding that violence is open to everybody, but his choice was and will always be music.

Hangxous is now putting the final touches on a remix of Hibbert’s hit song Country Roads, stating it will be released “any day now”.