Dahlia performs at her video launch in Mandeville last week.
IT was a big deal for singer Dahlia Thames (known professionally as Dahlia) last week when the video for her latest song, Mad Ova Mi, was released at the Vineyard in Mandeville.
The song, which also features deejay Masicka, was produced by Sanjay Pennant for Zionnoize Freeze Records. The video was filmed in downtown Kingston and directed by Courtney Brown for Cab Concepts.
The 20-year-old former Belair High School student grew up between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Her mother is Trinidadian, while her father is from Mandeville.
Though she enjoys some popularity in Trinidad, Dahlia is focused on making a name for herself in Jamaica. Late last year she released the soca track Carnival Again featuring Mark Hardy. Produced by Xplicit Entertainment out of Trinidad, the song got heavy rotation on radio in the twin isle.
However, getting the break in Jamaica has not been easy.
"In Jamaica it has been difficult to be recognised. However, in Trinidad they are always supporting upcoming artistes," said Dahlia, who is studying business management at the University of Technology in Kingston.
Influenced by her mother (a former classical singer), Dahlia says she started singing while at Belair, participating in talent contests that boosted her confidence.
She has worked with several Jamaican producers including Kristopher 'Krisbeatz' Murray, Sheldon 'SOS' Sullivan, Kadeem Christie from UIM Records and Stephen Goulbourne from G3Musik.
According to Dahlia, her musical aspirations are simple.
"I want to bring an unpredictable culture with happy, clean, feel-good music."
