Deejay Oneil Famous put his career on hold for his daughters

Father of seven, Oneil Darby once had to put his deejaying career on hold to be both father and mother to two of his daughters, but, decades later, he has absolutely no regrets and would not think twice about making the very same decision.

Darby, who is better known in music circles as sound system deejay Oneil Famous, is the father of singjay, Pinky Famous, the only one of his children to follow in his footsteps musically. And he was quick to point out that, although there is a special bond between them because of that, Pinky is not his favourite, because that’s a game he is careful not to play.

“True Pinky is around me 24/7, dem seh a she a di favourite. Every morning she call me, and at least three or four times for the day. But I love my five girls and two boys the same. I try to treat them all equally,” Darby told The Sunday Gleaner.

The veteran music man, whose father died when he was only 12 years old, recalled that the love he received from his own father has lasted him a lifetime, and has played a huge role in the type of father he himself is.

“My father loved me more than anything in this world, and I was sad when he died. For me, becoming a father changed me a lot and I know that he would be proud of the father I am. Fatherhood mek me start to think like a man, instead of ‘palaving’ out there with friends. When you get a child, you are so excited ... especially the first one,” the founder of Original Dancehall Thursdays said excitedly.

Darby believes that there are more good fathers around than they are being given credit for, and pointed out that, whereas ‘Mama songs’ abound, there are not many songs paying tribute to fathers.

“Ah jus’ true some fathers who run lef’ dem youth ... and so that create a damper and so Mother’s Day get all the presents,” Darby declared.

To fill that gap, he hosted a special pre-Father’s Day celebration at Dancehall Thursdays, at Rebel T HQ on Dunrobin Ave., with lots of giveaways and gift baskets for the fathers in the house.

Reflecting on his journey into fatherhood, Darby shared that it took a turn he didn’t expect, but which he embraced.

“Becoming a father slowed down my career,” the veteran soundman and deejay said. “I grow my first daughter, as well as Pinky, without any mother. So I had to be there for them. I couldn’t be on the road travelling around with sound and leave up my girls. It is important that fathers spend time with their kids ... mek dem know that you care for them and, every time that you can tell that you love them, do it.”

“And, it is important to have that father love for both the girls and the boys,” he added.

Darby is looking forward to that special Father’s Day treatment from his children today, and he has had many special moments with them over the years.

“My kids really show appreciation. Sometimes one of my daughters will come over and clip up my toe nails ... give me a nice pedicure ... and another one will take me for breakfast. And the day is all about making me feel special ... making me feel like a king,” Darby shared.

But there is one Father’s Day memory that stands tall.

“The best present I ever get was my third daughter born on Father’s Day, and I was right there in the hospital watching. That year, Father’s Day fall on June 19,” he recalled.

Oneil Famous shared that it was a great feeling to have proven himself to be counted among the “good fathers”, and emphasised that it is important to look out for other children, not just your own.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com