Mission da gr81 looking to establish himself

After years of roughing it in the New York trenches, Mission da gr81 got his recording career going in 2022 with a clutch of songs.

He is hoping to go one step further this year with the help of a top producer. The South Florida-based deejay has been in the studio with JonFX, who has produced hit songs by Gyptian, Sizzla and late platinum-selling rapper XXXTentacion.

"We were at an occasion and someone introduced me to JonFX and immediately we made the connection. I've already recorded two songs [with him] and many more to come ... the future awaits," said Mission da gr81.

The St Catherine-born artiste's first song, Champion, was produced by Lighthouse Records and released late last year. Off The Hook, his follow-up song, which was produced by The Legion out of California, was another 2022 release.

Mission da gr81 is originally from Linstead, but also spent some of his formal years in St Mary. He migrated to the US in 1989, and grew up in The Bronx, New York, where he was exposed to hip hop acts such as the Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes. Although he did not have a released song until last year, he recorded more than 50 songs prior to Champion.