Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Artiste with a message, Baijie (right) poses with Steve Locke of Truckback Records. - contributed

Upcoming artiste Baijie used to imitate people but now he has created his own style which he hopes will bring him to stardom.

Baijie, whose real name is Dave Williams, says he used the stage name Major Cat because he sounded like Major Worries in the early stages of his career. After that, he got the name 'Baijie', meaning 'Bajan Man' when he would imitate the voices of people from other Caribbean islands.

Truckback Records

But that occurred later in his career as he got his start in music with the help of another deejay called Chicken Hawk.

"Chicken hear mi a deejay pon de corner and tell mi seh mi need fi try out the studio. Mi start go Arrows studio and get introduced to Steelie and Clevie," he told THE STAR.

After getting around in the business, in 1993 he finally met up with Steve Locke who is co-owner of Truckback Records. Though he knew Steve for many years, their musical connection was made two years ago when he became a Truckback recording artiste.

"Mi respect Steve. Is a man weh can identify certain things inna mi weh mi can bring out. Mi like work wid him, mi feel comfortable. Wi do everything inna an organised way," said Baijie who is based in Kingston.

He is currently doing an album for Truckback, for which he has done most of the tracks. The first single to be released off the album is That's Life.

Music and message

While he says this latest project has a message and is radio friendly; it also has a hard-core vibe.

"Mi always a put some form of message to the music. It's not just for a hype or a forward. Dis album is one of mi best project. Mi outdo miself and it ago mek a mark somewhere inna di world because it loaded music and message," he said.

However, this is not the first Truckback recorded single as he As A Badman on Truckback's hit 'Gearbox' rhythm. Before, he recorded Princess Taniesha, Garrison History and Whole Heap A Things with Steelie and Clevie.

Stardom will come

Baijie says his previous songs did not get the desired airplay but he is optimistic about the future with a committed Truckback team by his side.

"Mi ting more organised but mi still deh in de streets a give producers and selectors mix tapes fi play. More time mi get all shame but no shame nuh inna di business, mi just haffi push forward same way," he said while noting that his time for stardom will come.

He added, "I want to achieve the highest accolade weh dem have inna music. Dats why mi dedicated and a work wid a team weh a like mi family."