Laden looks to rewrite script - Deejay refuses to be defined by time behind bars

Dancehall entertainer Laden is once again ready to take centre stage following his release from prison on April 21.

A new chapter in the career and personal life of the performer, known for his contagious lyrics and unmistakable stage presence, has begun. The Time to Shine artiste told THE STAR that his desire is to be recognised solely for his talent and dedication to his music.

"I just want to let the world know that they should not have Laden as a criminal or a crime producer. Laden has love for humanity and is a super good human being. I don't want anyone to think of me as a 'gun bag' or 'prison bud' or dem something deh. It is nothing like that. Just look at Laden as a talented artiste from Jamaica," he said passionately.

Laden, whose given name is Okeefe Aarons, was convicted in December 2020 and sentenced to four years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and 18-months for illegal possession of ammunition. After serving just over two years, he was released on good behaviour. Based on his "rough experience" behind bars, he is encouraging others to not take their freedom for granted.

"Freedom is everything. Just try and appreciate every single day that you are alive and everything else will come. Everything is possible. Once you have life and you are free, you are able to do whatever it is that you want to do, like go to the shop and go to the river and go to the bar, a party or a football game. Don't take that for granted," Laden said.

Happily returning to the studio where he says he spends most nights, Laden revealed that one of his first moves after his release was to visit producer and artiste manager Romeich Major of Romeich Entertainment. From that came the song Immortal which is his second single, and first music video since being released.

"He suggested that I need to come up with an idea for a video. I sent him a video and he was like 'Nope, go harder Laden. Give me something that people will gravitate to right away', and I said 'Alright give me the riddim wah yuh have a run the place'. So said, so done, him send it on and him push mi to the limit again. He didn't like the first song I recorded on it and I go again and I come up with the song Immortal and he liked it and said 'Video right away, you have the talent and we a send you a road'," Laden disclosed.

He described getting back to work as "unexplainable" as he believes music is one of his true callings. He is working on new material, and assures his fans that his return to the stage is imminent.

"I will be having my concert in St Elizabeth, that is where I want to perform first. I want to perform in my home town and invite all of my artiste friends to come into my home town and people will see me there first. St Elizabeth is where my career started from Digicel Rising Stars and it was round my friends and some yutes from St Elizabeth that I developed a passion for music so it is only right that I start there," he said.

He is currently planning an event and is looking at the end of July for a possible date.