F.S., whose acronym stands for “Foundation Star,” burst onto the dancehall scene with a memorable appearance on Skillibeng’s cipher-style track “Not,” followed by a standout feature on the breakout hit “Whap Whap.” Departing from the traditional gun-focused and materialistic themes, F.S. is steering his career towards delivering conscious and diverse music. In an exclusive interview with WMV, he discusses his musical journey, his upcoming collaboration with “V6” producer Ireland Boss, and the vision he holds for his future in the music business.
Whats your real name?
Dwayne Shane McCalla. Mr. McCalla.
How did you get in the music business?
I been a do the music business. I just keep myself in the hardcore dancehall settings and do my thing naturally. I just continued to my thing and people see. Skillibeng give me a focus and a likkle collab. Him see me because we come from same parish, love me slogan and me style.
Where are you from?
St. Thomas Native.
St. Thomas has many artist now?
Yeah, Chronic Law, Skillibeng, Popcaan, Jada Kingdom, Tarrus Riley, Bush Man
I notice that St. Thomas artist have a different sound.
Everybody work on them different craft. People work on them craft, and people will hear it and say them nuh rate this but when it take off they jump on the train.
Where do you see yourself ten years form now?
I see myself on a different level, I reach a level where me a try fi put myself in a different zone, not just hardcore dancehall with gun chune or money chune, we have cultural chune. Thats why we do a song with Ireland Boss name “Chasing Dreams.”
Tell me about that song?
That single is one of the power project with me and Ireland, fi wi gospel that, them haffi see the new me right now. Different style where the world can see the gospel.
When you say gospel what you mean?
Ghetto gospel, life story, my life story, what me been through and you can relate.
Who were your inspirations?
I listen a lot of Popcaan, Vybz Kartel, Gully Gad, and all them big artist in the dancehall who sing them conscious songs. Me mostly listen to Popcaan. Popcaan a fi wi idol out here in St. Thomas.
Do you have management?
Yes, just a get close to a manager.
You not concerned that they will compare you old songs?
We versatile and now is the time to give the people a different message because the place a get a way. Now a the time for “Chasing Dreams.” Its all about the lives story.
Are your eyes on a Grammy?
As long as me a do music, that is always my aim. Everything weh me do a Grammy music. From the heart.
Who would you want to collaborate with?
Popcaan, Masicka, me and Chronic Law nuh do the right collaborations yet. A lot more. Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man and my friends them like Quenga.
How many songs do you record per day?
When me deh around by G dem me record, three four songs a day. More time me just go in the studio and voice one piece and two more days a come back and voice the rest.
Some people are saying Afrobeats artists are better than dancehall artists, what do you think?
Everybody copy from dancehall so me wouldn’t really think that. Dancehall have a more strong influences, when Afrobeats artist buss them come a Jamaica. Reggae music a the bang, nuttn nuh beat Bob Marley.
