ANTHONY MINOTT - Sniper
PORTMORE ARTISTE, SNIPER, has shown that he is as versatile as any other recognised act in dancehall.
In addition to being a DJ, he is also as the producer of the Pleasure Time Compilation CD which features artistes such as Gyptian, Guidance, Ikaine, Pinchers and General Trees.
Sniper, whose real name is Michael Davis, was born at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston. Sniper said his early days were hard as his parents separated while he was still a child. Hence, by 10 he ended up at Alpha Boys Home on South Camp Road in Kingston. He stayed at Alpha Boys from 1986-1991 and learnt music. He played the saxophone, and was in Alpha Boys Band and Choir.
Sniper said being abandoned by his parents strengthened his resolve.
"That strengthened me. I didn't grow up soft and I was always fending for myself", he said.
Sniper said that he got his name because other artistes were surprised that he could deejay although his appearance said otherwise.
"I was at a studio and because I have this humble demeanour other artistes said that I looked more like a businessman. So when they saw that I can in fact DJ, they start calling me 'Sniper'".
SEVERAL SINGLES
Although not popular, Sniper has several singles to his credit. He has one with Sapphire (Heather Cummings of Irie FM) "Hello Good looking", and the other with Mark Halloway "He don't love you". He said the tracks were getting rotation on Irie FM and Hot 102. They were released on the Big Star Production Label, and are being distributed by All Access Distributors. He said two of his other singles, "Buss the dance" and "Red pan the battlefield" have been getting good reviews in England.
The deejay told THE PORTMORE STAR that his eyes were fixed on the "bigger picture" which is to become his own manager by achieving his own production company and studio. He said this was one of the reasons he released a compilation.
The 15-track joint was released in January and is currently getting a number of good reviews. The Pleasure Time label includes 15 tracks on the "Godfather" rhythm a brainchild of Jahlanzo.
Sniper's ultimate aim is to make it big internationally. He is currently working on releasing his first album later this year, to include songs like "Don't worry about me mama", featuring Mark Halloway, "No Pram push ting" and "Don't hate me".
Sniper also has other plans which include pursuing courses in engineering to assist in his plans for managing his production and studio company.
Sniper has performed on a number of shows including Unity Splash in Westmoreland as well as others. He said however, the the biggest show ever for him, Sting 2004.
"I performed during the upcoming artiste segment. I got a good response from the people, I wasn't nervous and all in all it was a good experience," he said.
Sniper said that he didn't do it all by himself as Caribbean Cliffs, a steel band player, gave him to his "Caribbean Cliffs" studio for which he is grateful. He is also grateful to Mr. Wong's studio and the artistes who appeared on his compilation.
Do
you have a problem? Is something bothering
you? Write to 