STAR: Given your musical heritage, do you believe you should be more popular now?

Chino: "No, because I didn't break in 'riding on the McGregor coattail'. I wasn't looking for that."

STAR: Describe your image.

Chino: Sophisticated, moody for the most part. I dress according to the mood I'm in. I don't want to be what everyone else is in but I'm not too outrageous with my style."

STAR: What became of the feud between you and Munga?

Chino: "I don't know what became of it on his part but I think I got the better end of the stick 'cause I'm in a way better position than him now. My street cred stepped up as well and dub plate fee step up as well."

STAR: Is there anything in Jamaica that you would want to change?

Chino: "Yeah! More job opportunities 'cause we see, over and over, people leaving high school and struggling to get jobs to pay for groceries and pay bills, etc."

STAR: What do you do to promote yourself?

Chino: "I'm in the streets seven days a week, going to all the hot spots from Sunday to Sunday, networking with players in the business such as selectors, promoters and producers. Fom time to time when I'm not booked, I'll do a couple of shows. I also go to parties and sessions and give out CDs at Bembe, Blitz, Asylum, Quad, Passa Passa, Weddy Weddy."

STAR: What are your thoughts on Barack Obama's election victory?

Chino: "It's a historical thing. Our generation witnessed history. The first black American president."

STAR: Outside of being an artiste for Big Ship, what's your role in the company?

Chino: "A director. Pretty much doing everything."

STAR: You are a good lyricist, whose lyrical abilities in dancehall do you admire?

Chino: "Vybz Kartel, Dave Kelly and Assassin, 'cause I think they evolve and raise the lyrical bar. I was speaking to Assassin about it recently. Some people seem as if they just jot notes on the side of a book, but our ting is like we compose our lyrics. It have a start, body and an end."

STAR: When you talk about guns and violence in your songs, is it frowned upon by your father?

Chino: "No, because when I do songs like that, is reality highlight things that happen."

STAR: What you do think is your first big buss in the business?

Chino: "When I got my first hit in 1999 with Leggo Di Boy. But also on the Red Bull and Guinness. Dats when everybody started to have their eye on Chino."

-Krista Henry
Are you a young musical genius?

STAR of the Month Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor, as well as brother Chino and sister Shema, have all been involved in music from they were very young. The 'Big Ship' family is offering a session at Big Ship Studios for a young, talented deejay, singer or producer. Only persons between the ages of 13 and 18 can enter to win a session at Big Ship Studios.

Persons can call to register at 1-888-THE-STAR (843-7827) on Friday, November 14 or Monday, November 17.

Persons can also email their names and numbers for the competition to entertainment@gleanerjm.com from Wednesday, November 12 to Monday, November 17.

Enter today!