Don't look for Assassin to be killing anybody, no screw face an' dem ting… "I don't feel I have to live up to the meaning of the word".

The rising star, managed by Donovan Germaine of the Penthouse label, says he gained the moniker in high school days when classmates would challenge him to a lyrical war. Almost always the victor, the name seemed to fit the 'verbal assassin' perfectly.

At 18 years old, Assassin looks much older at first glance, partly because he is about 6'3". However upon closer examination you can tell that he is indeed the age he claims to be. Level headed but amusing, he had us in stitches as he gave us a recount of one of his earlier performances where he was not very well received by the crowd. "It was a half and half boo. It hot!" At last year's Revenge, he performed with Spragga and it was all good, but when it was his turn to approach the audience solo, nobody was feeling him. He explained that the crowd in the front was loving it but in the back nobody was amused! Had he known this was the case from the get go he says, "Mi woulda cut!" Although this incident was one that he may never forget, he has made up for it since then. Performing in New York, Miami, and other cities in the United States, as well as the Cayman Islands where he was elected 'mayor' after an electrifying performance, has made the young deejay more confident in his ability to perform before a live audience. "I learn from observation," he states.

EARLY OUT

Spitting verses at home and at school when he was younger, Assassin did not consider becoming a deejay full time. He honed his skills at area dances (he's from Kentryre, Papine) and school barbecues. He has been deejaying professionally since 1998 and opted to complete sixth form at Camperdown High School before entering the business. It was the encouragement of his older brother, Gareth that made him tap into his musical talent. Evidently his biggest fan, his brother saw the artist's potential. This made Assassin realize that his capacity for writing tunes and deejaying could be used to his advantage. Still, working to earn one's stripes in the dance hall scene can become frustrating at times.

Whaddat: What are some of the obstacles that you face as an artist on the come up? Have you ever been so discouraged to the point where you wanted to give up?

Assassin: It get a way sometimes. You are underrated, but then again, you have to prove yourself as an artist so that may not count. But there are times when I say betta mi go back a school an' jus nine to five it- get a regular 9-5 job and call it a day. It can get really hectic at times, but my brother and cousin always encourage me. But all the time, when it get to 'dat point where u feel depressed… I'd be at the studio and somebody would come in and they'd be like "A you name Assassin…yuh a di greatest!" and then yuh vibes jus' build back up. But if you don't have that- trust me, it can be really difficult.