Blaize Shell Shell, born Andrew Folkes, is on a mission to reshape the dancehall landscape with his new album, Untrapped . The rising dancehall artiste, known for his writing skills and thoughtful lyrics, is determined to infuse positivity into a genre often criticised for its darker themes. Growing up between Kingston and Clarendon, Blaize Shell Shell's journey to the limelight was anything but smooth.
"I fell in love with music at the age of four," he recalled. "Beenie Man was, and still is, my favourite artiste. I used to deejay for the community, singing Beenie songs.
" This early passion laid the foundation for his future in music, although it wasn't until his transition to Excelsior High School in grade nine that he began taking his craft seriously. "I started leaving school, finding Corporate Area studios, just hanging out and vibing," he said. His first professional recording dates back to 2006.
"It was a mediocre song called Player Been Played, or something like that. No melody, nothing at all. It was just the start," he admitted.
Since then, his music has evolved significantly. "I'm a hardcore dancehall artiste. I'd often describe myself as a Vybz Kartel-sounding artiste with a Busy Signal mentality," he said.
The turning point in his career came with a realisation about the impact of his music. "A few years ago, I think why I never got that break [though] I was always talented, [was because] my mindset was at a very bad place. I was just a young and naive youth," he.
