Five Questions with Dexta Daps

In 2015, the name Dexta Daps became prominent on the dancehall scene as his landmark track 7eleven swept through the island, with every stall, stand, bus and deejay spinning the smash hit. Since then, the artiste who hails from Seaview Gardens in St Andrew, carved his place in the industry and he has not let up. He followed up with hit after hit that not only have women risking it all to share a moment with him on stage but men giving a ‘forward’ to signal their approval of his more charged lyrics. Inspired by the legends of dancehall, including Bounty Killer and Shabba Ranks, his sound is a unique blend of singing melody and hardcore deejaying that displays his talent and aptitude that has kept his name among the major players in dancehall. He recently teamed up with Madhouse Records, Baby Cham and Bounty Killer on the mini-movie and music video for the track Slow Motion that is set to premiere today. During the watch party held on Wednesday night, he caught up with The Gleaner for Five Questions.

1. Your music is a balance between ‘bad man’ songs and tunes that cater to women. Going from tracks such as ‘Shabba Madda Pot’ to ‘Weak To You’, how do you seamlessly fit into both spaces?

You know sey mi a nuh no bad man. Big man ting, the music is every angle. It is just how you interpret it. I just do music for people to enjoy. It has nothing to do with who I am or my personality. I am just fortunate that the women love me.

2. You are known for have several encounters with women during your performances. What is this kind of attention like for you, and does it impact your personal relationships?

It is exciting. Don’t you see my face all the time? To be honest, if you are going to be with somebody that cannot see what is going on, it doesn’t make any sense you are with them. Anybody can see who I am or what I do. At the end of the day, it comes with whatever I am doing for survival. It is something I love doing. It is not about styling anybody [in] a relationship. It is about music and work. I don’t really want to mix it with my personal life; it is work.

3. You recently collaborated with Ghanaian Afro-dancehall artiste Stonebwoy on his ‘5th Dimension’ album. Talk to us about what it was like working with him.

Stonebwoy a me bredda. That is the African Giant man. Stonebwoy is definitely dancehall in Africa. Respect to him and thanks to him for the opportunity to let us grace the album. You already know. The song is called Secret Lover for the girls dem. A just madness.

4. When you are not on stage or out in public, how do you spend your time?

I work, work, work. I am always recording and doing songs, helping my artistes around me. They are here with me tonight. We always have something to do. Ain’t no time to hang around.

5. What are your plans for the rest of 2023?

For the rest of this year, I am going to drop this album called Trilogy. But, before that, I am dropping a song with Alaine because I love that singer so much. So, look out for that. But, for the album, I want to break it down into three parts, so it is 12 songs in three parts. I want to make the songs different. I want them to be meaningful.

aaliyah.cunningham@gleanerjm.com