Five Questions with Fully Bad

Born in the parish of Manchester 27 years ago, his parents named him Nicholas Bartley but the street gave him the moniker Fully Bad.

Fully Bad, according to his bio, was first recognised for his talents in 2015 after dominating all opponents in Popcaan’s Unruly Clash Series. He then honed his craft and took the opportunity to close the popular Boys and Girls Championships after-party where he thrilled patrons with his hit song, Everybody Bad.

Fully Bad subsequently got the opportunity to showcase his talent on Reggae Sumfest after being called out by industry-mate Shane E. He has made musical connections with DJ Slow Motion, Shane E, I-Octane, Big Zeeks, Gappy Ranks and Destiny Sparta, to name a few.

Throughout his eight-year career, the dancehall artiste shared that he has had a number of discouraging encounters but he refused to throw in the towel. Instead, he brought the ink to life and tells his stories in tracks like Faith and Prayer, The Fight and Password.

In 2020, Fully Bad parted ways with his now former manager, popular selector Foota Hype. Approximately one month ago, he signed the deal with Danvoy Foster’s Nah Change Entertainment Group.

The deejay’s biggest highlight of his career thus far came on the morning of December 27 at the staging of Sting at Jamworld in Portmore, St Catherine, where a lyrical clash turned physical.

Two days after the controversial clash, Fully Bad visited The Gleaner to give us the low-down on this new era of his life in 5 Questions With.

1. Share with us the story of how you got the name Fully Bad.

Mi work very hard for that name and it didn’t just come overnight. I got that name from the streets because I clash at Popcaan Clash Wednesday and I dominate that competition by killing 13 artiste one night. So, from that them just start call mi Fully Bad.

2. Who are some of the persons who have inspired you on your musical journey, and who would you like to inspire?

Mi have to big up Ninjaman. By just looking at him, mi feel like mi want to be an artiste just by him image alone. Aidonia and Mavado also influence me too. Right now mi just want to influence the youths to take Fully Bad footsteps because it isn’t a bad footstep.

3. As a young artiste you have made headlines when you cut ties with your former management. Do you think that you now have something to prove to previous management and fans?

I have something to prove now so mi just gonna do the right thing but we nah give too much details on it. We just gonna show actions.

4. Is the incident at Sting your biggest headline so far, and do you wish that the outcome was different?

Of course, I wish the outcome was different because I didn’t really want the fans dem to see mi in that action you know. So I want to take the time out to apologise to my fans and to Sting and this a come from mi heart. This incident can be good or it can be bad, yuh zeet, because it can cause mi to not perform in my country and also overseas. But, that is why mi come out and apologise to the fans because mi did inna anger. Mi come out dark because from mi reach a di gate the security a deal with mi a way. Mi watch dem let tru every artiste free and dem dig up mi bus and all wah search mi. Mi never really like that so mi di come inside with an anger. Then ... blup... Honormosity walk out and di whole a di anger get take out on him.

5. Tell us one thing that people would be surprised to know about Fully Bad.

I am a humble youth and nuff a dem don’t know that. Them have to just come around me and get to know mi personally, yuh zeet.

simone.morgan-lindo@gleanerjm.com