Name: “Cranston Phillips aka ‘Blakk Ice'. It was ‘Bebo Deala' back in the 90's.”
Catch Phrase?: “Mi have a style weh me s.eh “Ching!” and another one weh me s.eh “Hear wah me a s.eh nuh man!”. That one is one the one I use sometime for my intros.”
Date of Birth: March 4, 1978.
Growing up: “My parents are originally from Portland so I grew up in a little district called Hope Bay with my mother, step-father and three sisters. I attended Hope Bay All-Age School and Port Antonio Comprehensive High School.”
What made you decide to choose music as a career and who encouraged you to go into music? “Well, from I was young, music has always been apart of me. I used to listen artistes like Buju Banton and Ninja Man. But what really influenced me to do music was the violence that was going on in my community. I was apart of a police youth club and some friends and I decided to keep concerts - I was the DJ. I moved to Kingston and lived in Portmore for a while, where I hung out with artistes like Vybez Kartel. This is where I got to see how the music business really was.”
What gives you inspiration for your music? “I like to write about current affairs. I like to use a story line for songs that are about relationships, girls and of course ‘gangsta' songs; not to incite violence but just to talk bout everyday life and what will happen if someone ‘violate'.”
Hobbies: “Well, I like to just kick back and meditate and read. I also play a little football just to keep fit, and my daughter and I play computer games together.”
Are you currently signed to a label? “Not signed to a label as yet. However, I am looking forward to be signed to Heavy Artillery Records.”
Performances:“I've performed in Switzerland, Amsterdam, Germany and places in Italy. My most recent performance was on the 9th of June in Germany at a place called Oldenburg. I work with a team called Yalla Yalla Movements that play for me whenever I am in Germany.”
Most embarrassing moment: “I remember one time I was in the studio and me a sing me heart out and Buju Banton was there. Now the producer I was with at the time used to say a lot of things about my musical abilities that weren't true. Because of what he said, everyone anticipated hearing me sing something on the rhythm, but I didn't have the first line or the flow to make the song sound good. When they heard me, they said to him, “Jah know star! How you s.eh the yout' good?” That made me very down-hearted and for about two months I was just discouraged and I even said I wouldn't bother with the music ting. However, my friends encouraged me to continue."
Happiest moment: “My happiest moments are when I go overseas and I see white people who don't even speak my language dancing and enjoying my music. You can even take a girl on the stage and she dance to the music and everybody enjoys themselves. I've done shows that brought 3,000 to 4,000 people. I'm just thankful that it works out for me as an artiste that doesn't really have a big name in Jamaica.”
Songs: “I've done singles, such as ‘Love For Mama' with Luciano, ‘Heartbreaker' with Sasha which is about a love game gone bad, and I've also done a single with Nitty Kutchie."
Currently: “I'm working to compile an album. I have six tracks so far that I'm going to put on the album but I'm working on two new singles with Heavy Artillery Records called ‘Hard To Get My Goal'. I have another that was voiced for Jeffery Hype called ‘Flawless'. ‘Another Day In The Slum' is also another single.”
What are your plans for the rest of the year? “Start working on my album and do a video for one of my singles. I plan to do some shows in Europe also where I'll promote my album which would be done by the time I go on tour around November/December."
What is your advice to upcoming artistes such as yourself? “Just keep the ting real. Sell Jamaica under a good light both locally and internationally. Just keep it positive.”
For contact: www.myspace.com/blakkicejamaica
Tel: 784-7224
