Meet Reggae Artist Shakespear (Jamaica): Artist Spotlight

Shakespear D-Dondada Introduction

Shakespear D-Dondada was born Andre Dyer of Spanish Town on the 8th January 1991. He was forced to relocate to reside with his father in Priory, St. Ann. He attended St. Ann’s Bay Primary School. There it was discovered he possesses all the attributes and attitudes of a good leader. He was always been fluent and outspoken.

He later attended Ferncourt High School. There his passion for music was slowly recognized. He joined the school’s music club and performed in several school concerts. His friends affectionately called him Shakespear as he was always writing and singing to himself. As a result, everyone knew he was destined for greatness.

Family Life & Development

Shakespear had an unstable family life. He found himself consistently moving from one parent to another. One thing remained certain, his desire to make his Mom proud. Therefore, he kept on writing. His desire for a stable home made him more lenient towards a more stable career path, to become either an Architect or a Lawyer.

In 2005 however, his life changed. He wrote his first song “Guh A China,” which was a little controversial. “Nuh Trust Dem” was another song he wrote later that year. This song grabbed attention and as a result, doors to recognition began to open for him.

With Opportunities Come Recognition

His combination of vocals, lyrics and his passion for his music paved the way for him to perform at local events. These events include “The Annual Miss Seville Heights Competition” and “The St. Ann Kite Festival.”

As opportunities increased, he fully embraced the name Shakespear and therefore continued writing.

He wrote and few more songs and later compiled his first CD entitled “Touch D Road.” Despite his newfound success, his family was still not convinced that he would succeed in the music industry. He recorded a variety of music in different genres, labeling himself as “D-Dondadda.” The response was overwhelming. As a result, he began to build quite an extensive fan-base across St. Ann, Jamaica. So much so that he was given a spot in the Ocho Rios Jerk Festival in 2012. The name D-Dondadda was slowly being stuck in people’s mind. The massive craved his creativity, unique style and passion. They wanted Shakespear D-Dondadda!

Discography and What’s to Come

In January of 2013, he released his first album “Born A Wailer”.

“Mi Nuh Trust Dem” was his first song to get airplay on IRIE FM. He continued to write for himself and for various producers and expanded his personal musical catalog as well as the possibility of performing at several local shows/concerts. He has recorded music videos for “Mi Nuh Tro Word” and “Raapa Man” which premiered on RE TV but missed the top of the charts.

In 2014, he began to reap the reward of his continuous perseverance and was called for a special interview for “The Buzz.” This, of course, was a huge success and led him to perform at the Marcus Garvey Celebration, hosted by IRIE FM, which was held in St.Ann of the same year.

Outdeer!

As the name of his recent and most noteworthy single says, “Put Me Outdeer.” He was placed out there, for the world to finally see, on local and international airwaves, Shakespear D-Dondadda. Rodney Pryce A.K.A Bounty Killa endorsed him by commenting during a show in 2016 that “Shakespear needs to be outdeer.” In addition, Shakespear has since filmed a music video for “Put Me Outdeer,” which you can view below.

Andre continues to forge ahead with upcoming shows and plans to conquer the music world with his poetic sound, his unique genre of music and his unrelenting desire to give back to his community.

He recently released “Still Alive,” produced by Trigga Happy and is featured on the upcoming Love Vibration Riddim (Upsetta Records x Loud City) and more.