Under the guidance of Grammy Award-winning producer Frankie Music, Deneiko Thompson has no problem with taking the long road on his journey to stardom.

In a recent interview with The Gleaner, the singer-songwriter shared several goals he has set for himself.

“Every recording artiste wants to tour the world, sell and make millions, and achieve a Grammy. I am not short of those ambitions. I want to do all those things, but I also want when I leave the earth to have left a lasting impression on people,” Deneiko said.

Deneiko hails from Spanish Town and has been pursuing a career in entertainment from high school. In seeking ways to make music professionally, he says he started writing songs and visiting different studios to consult with established producers and entertainers.

“It was at that time I met Iceberg, who connected me to Frankie Music. It created a shift in making my career. They have made me who I am to the audience, and I can’t express enough gratitude for what has been done for me,” said Deneiko.

Frankie Music is behind Koffee’s hit Ragamuffin, one of the tracks on her Rapture EP, which earned the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2020. He’s produced for many of Jamaica’s hitmakers, through mentorship and production, such as Voicemail, D-Major, Alaine and Demarco, among others, and has been the official management of acts like Shawn Antoine and, recently, Laa Lee.

While aware of the magnitude of work the producer has contributed to the reggae and dancehall space and the spotlight he has helped shine on young talents, Deneiko was not blinded by it.

“At first, when I was told I would have an opportunity to work with Frankie Music, I can honestly say I was scared … I knew I had to step up to the level of those he worked with before. From the outside looking in is different from being on the inside looking out,” he said. “When you see the amount of work they put in and the encouragement they give, it is inspiring. I am not pressured to achieve; the push comes from seeing the handful of successful persons who have done it before, shining the light in [the] direction of where you should go.”

Début single

Deneiko shared that he has been working with Frankie Music in collaboration with Niche Entertainment Group for less than a year and is overjoyed to see his début single Tell Me When, featured on the label’s Epiphany Riddim, come to fruition. The rhythm project also has songs from the likes of Qraig (Voicemail) and Bugle slated for official release between October and December.

“I got the rhythm, hol’ a vibe to it, and we all agreed it haffi go a road. Frankie really is instrumental in my growth, and I am still growing; that can’t be left without saying. The inspiration for the song is life, and no matter how much or what type of struggle one faces, they can listen to the lyrics, to all my music, and connect,” said the recording artiste, who also balances a job as an electrician.

“If yuh want good, yuh nose haffi run; there are no easy routes to success. And this is what I am here to prove with my recording career,” Deneiko continued.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com