Aidonia says he is willing to collaborate on a ‘Best Of Both Worlds’ album with fellow dancehall star Masicka, after the former lyrical rivals sorted out their differences last August at the Summer Fest in Barbados.
Both artists released lyrically laced albums on Friday, December 1, 2023. The albums, “Generation Of Kings” (Def Jam) and “Occupied Mind,” occupy the No. 1 and No. 2 positions, respectively, on Apple Music Jamaica. Additionally, both albums are charting in several territories around the world on Apple Music.
The J.O.P singer says he is actively seeking a major label album deal following the success of the independent project.
The 23-track set, released via his Banga House Music Group, features only one collaboration on the single ‘Thug Luv’ with Govana. He says Govana has played a role as part of his support system, especially after the tragic loss of his son, King Khalif, in December to get him focused musically.
Singles from the album are making waves across the Caribbean on Apple Music’s Daily chart. ‘Faith’ has reached #22 in Jamaica, #66 in St. Vincent and The Grenadines, #98 in Saint Kitts and Nevis, and #99 in the Cayman Islands. The song also holds the #69 position in Jamaica on Deezer’s Daily chart.
The album’s No. 2 track, ‘Socrates,’ peaks at #19 in Jamaica, #77 in St. Vincent and The Grenadines, and #87 in Saint Kitts and Nevis on Apple Music. On Deezer, it holds the #42 spot in Jamaica. Another notable track from the album, ‘Caught Up,’ is at #28 in Montserrat and #35 in Jamaica on Apple Music.
Production for “Occupied Mind” is handled by Crash Dummy, Jades, Cash Flow Rinse, Emudu, Quantanium, Build Beats and Darshan. Red Boom Supermix, and Chimney Records mixed and mastered the album.
The name, “Occupied Mind,” reflects his desire to immerse himself in music and be a leader for his family in-spite of his struggles. In this exclusive interview with WMV, Aidonia also reveals plans to take an enhanced live show on the road under the guidance of Nigel Staff, his musical director.
Congrats on a good album, the fans have been asking for it what took you too long
More time a just timing. Dancehall music is a space weh it kinda competitive and its s space where its all about trying to stay current. I come in a time when it was a lot of great artist and at the end of the day a jus time. I am way better now. Beter clarity, better vocals. Everybody know what I was goin through.
What’s occupying your mind now?
Music, without music over the past year I don’t know where my mental space would be. I just needed to stay occupied and music did that for me. I have a great support system, my friend looked at me and say Khalif was and is your biggest fan so you haffi do music and drop him say that everyday we just a run over beats. Since then I have done over 40 or 50 songs.
Another album on the way?
Definitely, maybe drop the deluxe because we have the songs them already.
You have been here for over two decades in the business, how does it feel to know you have evolved with the different eras of CDs, downloads and now streaming you are still charting and being received by the people?
Big up to father God, it’s a God given talent, he blessed me with longevity. It’s a great feeling to know I go through all them stages of music and that helped to build me to know I adjusted to the game. You have to be good at adjusting to the game.
How important is discipline as a family man is for you?
Family I stability and I was reasoning with my friends and asking separate and part from music, when you remove you artistic side from life, are you happy with life? Family keeps you grounded. My family keeps me going, on the good days them keep me level and it always been that to make me work and make my family proud.
Your wife ever check you yet and tell you go in a particular direction?
A lot of times. She know certain things and seh don’t follow up this or that on the internet inuh.
You and Masicka dropped your albums on the same day and you are neck and neck on Apple Music, why did you drop same day?
I never knew his release date, it was on Wednesday a member of the team said ‘Masicka album a drop Friday.’ They didn’t want to tell me because they knew I woulda changed my date. So I just low it and it just release and me see the vibe. It’s a great youth and great artist and the people them can gwan hold a vibe.
Masicka is signed to a major label, why have you stayed independent and are you looking for a label for the next album?
Yes, looking to make some moves internationally so the people them can look for that in the next couple months. We pre out music on an International level and if you list the project you see we touch on everything and even though we are independent the people love it.
Nigel Staff said ‘99.999998 percent of (dancehall artist) are not internationally friendly, they criminals,’ how would you respond to that?
On the part of dancehall artists are not internationally friendly I can understand that. A lot of artists don’t know how to conduct themselves. Once they start to get some songs is a whole heap a hype. When you hot and hype everybody a run een, but the criminal part me nah work with dah part deh. Everybody anuh criminal and even the person in the church might be a criminal and you not even know. You cyah just look and judge.
You are both bringing back album culture with Masicka dropping same day as you. Would you do a ‘Best Of Both Worlds’ album with Masicka to expand dancehall’s reach?
It’s music, anything positive to do with music I am open. Right now me deh on a different level mentally so anything to make the music and culture look positive I wold do it.
Whats the next single from the album?
Dubai video will be out in the next two to three weeks. Maybe 13 or 14 songs will have a video, like Caught Up, Tempted, First Class, Socrates. Over the next two months I will have about twelve videos. Some high end and some viral content.
Will you be dropping Merchandise?
Yes, good ting you mention that and remind me they can look out for that by Christmas.
Are you going on tour?
Definitely, I take a break now for December because my wife will be having baby this month but next year Easter I take on back the road. We a grow our thing and Aidonia live show next year people will see a huge difference. it won’t just be a performance it will be an experience. The Chris Brown show was the test to what we a do and what can be done. Nigel Staff is a man who help me with a lot and he is helping me with a new thing that me a shub out a first touch at Yush. it ago different.
Look like you been watching Beyonce?
You have to, you have to study the greats. Michael Jackson all of them.
What advice would you give new artist?
You have to love music. The money and the hype is there but you have too love the music and that will help you right through to grow, Recording, onstage, doing interview because interviews are key. Me buss close twenty years and me is a better artist now that even before. Find a great team who real to your thing. Respect your fans, respect your craft. Understand all of this and want to be the best version of yourself.
Watch full interview on YouTube.
