By: Kerry-Ann Bercher

For one to identify with a name meaning persistent, solid and strong, one must certainly bear some resemblance to the namesake.

Shaniel Watson, aka 'Teflon' which means 'Teach E Forever Love all Over the Nation', and 'Unstoppable', knows all about being steadfast and persistent. He believes in having a strong and a positive meditation and surrounding one's self with positivity. A musical aspirant since age eleven, 21 year-old Watson has come a far way from hanging outside studio doors to having his very own music heavily rotated on the radio.

The multi-talented conga drum, keyboard and flute playing St. Mary native spent most of his days harboured outside the Double Lions Studios, St. Mary watching and idolizing engineers like Fire Trees and Hopeton until he got a ' big buss' of his own.

Stints with Big Don; Sonic Sounds and multiple unreleased tunes done with Double Lion Studios and Tallus International in Ocho Rios eventually paved the way for the premier single "Bless me Jah". Courtney McIntosh, a producer at In Touch Records took an interest in the conscious crooner and partnered up with Teflon to birth the tune "Love Your Life". With the ball set in motion to launch Teflon's career, the artiste switched to Purple Skunk Label and the music kept coming.

Highly influenced by the likes of Sizzla Kalongi, Bob Marley, Capleton, Buju Banton, Cocoa Tea, and Berris Hammond, Teflon only produced conscious, uplifting music, "I have to do conscious music because man have to elevate the youth".

Teflon grew up in christian home where both parents were Baptist. However, he later discovered that the Rastafarian faith was his true calling. "A nuh really the music, but a the music still. Music is a force and a it really make I stronger." said Teflon, now a devout Rastafarian.

Teflon, guided by Wayne Morris aka DJ Wayne from IRIE FM, cites that inspiration for his positive music/message comes from his 'reverence, daily livity and meditation'. Tunes like "Feel the Vibes", "Jah Jah Love" and "Yard of Love" all promoted peace, harmony and 'good livity'.

In July 2003, Teflon got the break that all upcoming artistes crave - an opportunity to perform on a major stage show. Teflon's 'Jah Send' was 'Fully Loaded' and from that performance came bookings for Pepsi Teen Splash, Fuel, West Kingston Jamboree and International Reggae Day Celebrations. "What I love about the music is that it reaches the people who I cannot reach personally. Music is a universal force, it is felt deep in the heart." said Teflon when asked what he loves about the music that he does.

With several projects underway and growing fan base, Teflon kept putting out more tunes: 'Get Up'; 'Humbleness'; 'Live It Up Right' and soon opportunities with other labels like Arrows and eventually the popular Tads International Records arose.

Well known producer Tads Dawkins took an interest in the young rasta's message and signed up with him to produce 'Victim', a track that received crazy airplay. With popular singles under his belt, Teflon received invitations to collaborate with other artistes like Ras Myrdah titled 'Flesh Eaters'; Gyptian, Ancient Monarchy, Mr. Perfect and Anthony B.

Three consecutive 'Fully Loaded' shows later, it's the year 2006 and Teflon performs on 'St Bess Splash', 'A St. Mary Mi Come From', 'B-Mobile Promotional Tour', 'Champions In Action' and his own annual community benefit show in St. Mary 'Up A Yard Of Love'.

"I feel a natural vibe. I keep the people moving with the positive energy. They feel the vibes and humbleness that I'm showing to them and they show it back. " says Teflon when asked about audience reaction to his performances, "Even the youths dem when they hear the songs, they sing it word for word. So the fans stretch from the youths, the older folks and even the people uptown. Is the humbleness. Blessed."

Good promotions/management by Solid Agency, which he has been with for 4 months, and Teflon's lyrical creativity have made him a star to watch. To date, Teflon has produced 8 albums, but his debut album titled 'Livity 1', is set to be released by Tads International Records label early next year.

"I and I represent the people, boboshanti, nyabingi and myself and all the people weh a hold the order. When you see Teflon you see positivity..." was Teflon's response when asked about the difference he would make in the music industry and what he represents as an artiste.

With successful singles such as "Rise Up" and 'Strive for Youths'; unmatched performances, collaborations and a pending album on the way, Teflon is ready to take the world by storm.