Jadae 'CJ' Guest - Richard Bryan Photo

The name Jadae Guest wouldn't even stir an interest in Pineapple where he was born, or Marcus Garvey Technical where he is enrolled in second form. But, just utter 'CJ' anywhere in the town of Ocho Rios and you are likely to hear a litany of praise on, perhaps, the hottest in the entertainment circles in that region of the island.

It is not unusual for many youngsters to gravitate towards entertainment - particularly the Jamaican mode of dancehall music - when it seemingly offers the potential for a lucrative career. However, in the case of 15-year-old CJ, it would be the natural fulfilment of a talent that, according to many in the know, is as prodigious as say the early potential demonstrated by established exponents such as Beenie Man and Mavado.

talent and mastery

The third child of Trevor and Roxanne Guest, CJ was drawn to the music by the influence of two uncles. One is a selector with the well-known Ocho Rios-based sound system, King Mellow Sounds, while the other is a producer based in Texas. CJ's incredible talent and mastery of the stage, even at this tender age, was recently demonstrated at the Amnesia Nightclub in Ocho Rios. The January 28 show featured the rocksteady balladeer Ken Boothe, alongside DJs Teflon and Little Hero, but it was the youngster's wit, microphone adeptness, as well as lyrical prowess that remained the talking point.

He is presently the target of a few serious interests in the industry, not the least of which is Yard British Entertainment, a budding outlet developed by Liverpool-based promoter Stephen 'Father B' Browne. Much of CJ's early exposure to recording has been handled by Browne, who believes the youngster's potential knows no bounds.

"I've never seen a youngster learn so much about the craft in a short time," Browne told THE STAR.

young maestro

According to Browne, the maestro is able to cross cultural lines with his lyrics, an ability CJ surprised him with when the youngster followed up a conversation the two had by producing a song with lines of Browne's rags-to-riches story as a youngster growing up in Liverpool. That, however, was not the first impression.

It began in 2005 at a chance meeting when CJ was introduced to him at his Crange Ridge Resort studios in Ocho Rios by Amair Fyffe, who goes by the stage name 'Dada'. CJ was accompanied by a few of his peers and Browne recalls how he gave each a minute or two after a recording session. Almost immediately CJ sounded a cut above the rest. However, the lyrics he chanted were mostly touting gun violence in a ghetto perspective.

For Browne, it was the wrong footing to begin and CJ confessed the producer made it clear.

"He liked how mi handled the mic but told me don't come here with dem kind of lyrics. Go home and study and bring back something educational," said CJ.

The tone and directness of the message could have frightened away any youngster. Anxious to prove himself, CJ returned a week later.

"It was a remarkable difference. The style hadn't changed but the message was refreshing," said Browne.

"I'd like to be the most popular artiste one day," CJ added, as he spoke of his future goals.

However, even with music central to his dreams, CJ harbours visions of being a medical doctor one day. It's a dream he has had since his early years at Eporth Primary where he maintained an A average. That scholastic ability has barely waned as he finished second overall in first form and had a top-five average for the first term of second form.

His favourite artistes are Bob Marley and Buju Banton, with the latter holding pride of place as his inspiration. Two resounding acts to dream on really, but such is the measure of the youngster's bold outlook.