Laden Says He Would Be Doing “Badness” If He Wasn’t A Dancehall Artist

There was almost no hesitation from Laden when asked what he would be doing had he not pursued music. 

“Badness,” the Time to Shine artist told Kizzy Don TV in a recent sit-down. 

It’s been over a year since he was granted early release from a 2020 conviction which saw him sentenced to four years for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. This fact didn’t alter Laden’s response when pressed. 

“Honestly, because where I’m from, it started out dah way deh where inna the garrison, we surrounded by a lot of bad influence, bad company,” the singjay said. “That’s why mi haffii tek weh myself and visit Senty (St. Elizabeth) cause you know mi grandma have family from Senty from a taller time, and mi used to visit.”

Incidentally, he was arrested and charged in St. Elizabeth. Police reports indicate that the Really Like You artist was driving a black Mercedes-Benz when officers cautioned him to stop. Laden initially complied, only to speed off when approached. The subsequent pursuit saw an object being thrown out of the sunroof of Laden’s ride, later revealed to be a firearm.

The entertainer pleaded guilty to the charges, later sharing on OnStage that he was strapped for protection and had no intention to harm the innocent.  

Given name O’Keefe Aarons, Laden actually hails from Payne Avenue in Kingston and found musical success through Digicel Rising Stars in 2006. His career would truly catapult in the 2010s while working with Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor. But as with other smaller acts around the producer at that time, they faded into the background when he migrated to The States. 

Laden has struggled to attract support for his newer releases since, inspiring the name of his album Against All Odds, slated for release next month. 

“Laden a one of the youth dem inna dancehall weh the world love and waan see mi a propel to other levels, and dem nuh really a see it, so, mi can humbly say it seh we a get likkle fight,” he said. “Dem nuh really a press play pon Laden songs nowadays. The song dem weh we do before, a classic dem, so they do play them, but the newer stuff dem? (No).”

He cited tracks like Greatness and Immortal as “solid” records that haven’t received much support. In that regard, there are no hotshot producers on the forthcoming album, and instead one producer, Lenoi Bentley, also a native of St. Elizabeth. 

“Why mi believe inna dah album yah (is) because the love and patience deh deh. We really waan do some music and mi sit inna the studio and record like 14 song – 14 tough song… Mi put mi mind to it and trust me, best of mi ability pon every one of dem track deh. People need fi look forward to dah album yah cause it’s been awhile people a ask for a body of work from Laden, from an established artist.”

Fans can expect to hear themes across social commentary, relationships and inspiration on Against All Odds.