Dyum trying to balance army and music

Getting the 'buss' he desires is twice as difficult for up-and-coming artiste Dyum, 26, as he has to fight to make his mark on the music scene while being in the field artillery category of the US Army.

Based in Hawaii, Dyum, whose real name is Kimani West, says a lot of possible musical connections that could further his career have fallen through because of his location.

"Being so far away from Jamaica, it's hard to network because you know people reach out to mi and want to manage me, but due to my career, it sort of present an issue because they're saying, 'Yuh don't have the time and stuff like that'," he told THE STAR.

"In Hawaii, I really don't know anyone there, and I really know more persons along the East Coast."

A past student of Ocho Rios High School, West says he got into music while attending the institution.

"When I was in high school, I know this guy who owned a studio, and I let him know that I wanted to do music and I wrote a song, and then in 2008, he set the link," he said.

West, who joined the army five years ago for educational reasons, says he also attends school part-time and is pursing a course in Homeland Security and Emergency Management at Central Texas College.

However, he said that it can be strenuous to balance all the aspects of his life.

"I would say difficult is an understatement because the job is both physically and mentally demanding," he explained.

However, he has plans of putting all his energy into having a vibrant musical career by delivering a multi-genre style of uptempo dancehall mixed with R&B and Afrobeats. And since he will be leaving Hawaii next year, Dyum said it will be easier to travel to Jamaica on a regular basis.

In the meantime, he said that with a studio at his home, he tries to do music as much as possible during his downtime.

Already Dyum has songs like Weh Yah Guh, Don't Run and She Want Jamaica. Now, he is hoping that his next single, Wanting More, which features Serani, will help him get his big break.