5 Questions With Kemar Highcon

Dancehall artiste, Kemar Highcon, is living proof that there is power in perseverance. When he decided to pursue a music career six years ago, there was nothing in the world that could stop him, not even his physical address. The deejay, who is based in New York, USA, has been travelling to Jamaica over the years to build his brand and carve his own name in dancehall. His 2018 track, So Saucy, is now reaping the fruits of his labour, as it is not only a party favourite this summer, but has also attracted corporate entity, Pizza Hut, which has made the fashionable entertainer their ambassador. Doubling his favour is Digicel, which has also made Highcon the face of their Saucy Summa Promotion.

Now manoeuvring the brand ambassador and entertainer caps, Highcon is also busy in the studio recording music for his 15-track EP, set for release on his birthday, October 25. Taking the hot seat in this week’s 5 Questions With, the Talk Bout deejay opens up about his current projects and more.

1. What makes Kemar Highcon saucy?

Myself, my personality of course, and not just my appearance. We all have flaws and things we are not proud of, but I feel like overall I’m a people person when I need to be, cause you know we all have moods and we won’t be the same every day. In our culture, if you look a certain way people think you’re not approachable, so I always try to wear a smile, and if I don’t wear one I try to keep it in my pocket.

2. How have you managed to maintain a local presence, especially with your two new deals, while being based overseas?

I would say I am back and forth, I am not based anywhere. Most of my travelling I’ve done over the years is out of pocket, I had no sponsors or backing. Whenever I need to be here, I am here. Of course, Jamaica is my home, but if I have to work I leave and if I have to be there, I am there, so I am at no set place.

3. What advice would you give an upcoming artiste about staying the course?

Stay focused, appreciate every bit of disappointment on your journey, every mishap, the good moments and bad moments and let them mould you as a person or the artiste you want to be. Everybody don’t have the same journey, so not because someone failed after doing this means you’re going to fail. Everybody’s journey and drive are different; it’s just your state of mind and where you see yourself. If it’s something you want; you have to just do it, you have to make sure you love it because the returns are far off. They don’t come no time soon, cause as you make money you have to put back money in what you’re doing to grow and excel. I am still young, so there are things I can learn from others. They might use another strategy to promote their music and brand while my promotional strategy is to get dressed and let people feel connected to me.

4. What are your long-term goals?

I want to lock in on some features and see if I can seal a big record deal in light of my two endorsement deals. I see myself as a person representing dancehall and my country and culture, that doesn’t mean I’m going to be an artiste for Jamaica only, I want to spread the music worldwide so that is my vision and goal. Yes I will still come here and go to the parties and connect with the people, but nobody wants to be a supervisor when they can be a manager. Nobody in our culture wants to feel like somebody is more than them, if mi deh somewhere and someone asks for my picture, I try to make it possible because people want to feel connected. Everybody wants to say I know a Kemar Highcon or Bounty Killer or Shaggy.

5. Trackstarr and Barkley Productions are producers featured on your upcoming EP. What can people expect?

I don’t have a name for it yet and it has been a bit challenging working on the EP cause I’m back and forth. I’m not trying to make it a one dimensional thing. I want to represent my country and dancehall, but some songs will sound different, people may not believe it’s me, but it will still represent my country and dancehall.