The singing powerhouse that is Daequan Dixon

Mandeville, Manchester:

His whole life is centred around prayer and he will tell anyone who asks, unreservedly, that he would not have been able to excel in all the areas of his life without God’s guidance.

Eleven-year-old Daequan Dixon loves reading, playing games, and participating in athletics, but though his hobbies are much similar to those of his companions, he is not your average child.

With the voice of a man who has had years of experience, Daequan uses his voice to bless people across the island and bring them closer to God.

“I think I got the singing from my mother because she used to sing when she was younger. I started singing in family devotions, but it was at the age of four that I realised that I could really sing and made my first public appearance,” he said.

“I have been to many places, all the parishes in Jamaica – to charity events, cultural programmes, church functions, you name it,” he added.

The singer, who placed second in the 2017 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Children’s Gospel Competition, in the nine-11 age category, said when he just started out he was daunted by audience members who didn’t applaud, but revealed that he grew to realise that not everyone shows their emotions externally.

PRODIGY

“I am not into performing, I am into ministering, but I do realise that you have to step outside of your comfort zone to reach people,” Daequan said.

A prodigy in his own way, Daequan not only does well in his music ministry, but also in academia, missing the national average for the Grade Six Achievement Test by a point.

“I skipped grade one and was an honours and high honours student throughout prep school. With a mother like mine, when it comes to studying, I cannot slack off. I am currently in the top three in my class at my high school and on the honour roll.”

Daequan has received accolades and awards as the youngest head boy at his alma mater, for Christian leadership, top student, 2018 Manchester Jamaica Library Service Reading Competition champion, champion boy in athletics for his prowess, and numerous wins and top placements in 5k run/walks and kiddies’ marathons.

The future doctor said he will always be a man of his of his word and stand in his integrity, no matter what.

“As a doctor, I am not going to be about the money, giving people things that I know are just temporary fixes when I can do more,” he said.

Daequan added that one malady of the world he wants to see end is human trafficking.

“I want to live my life in such a way so when Jesus comes back the second time, I will go to Heaven with him” he said.