5 Questions With Delomar

The solo journey of Delomar, formerly of the duo RDX, has led to the upcoming release of his first solo album, and while he is super excited to unveil it in November, there’s a bit of semantics involved that require some sort of explanation.

First of all the album is a ‘gyalbum’ because all 16 songs are an ode to women and “there’s no Al (male name presumably) involved”. The title of the album is Gyaliday: The Gyalbum. The word ‘gyaliday’ is a spin on the word ‘holiday’ and Delomar, during his 5 Questions With … feature this week, explained why. The first single from the ‘gyalbum’ is Bare Gyal Want We, a collaboration with Harry Toddler. Bay-C TOK, Bounty Killer, I-Octane, and Macka Diamond also guest on some of the tracks.

Delomar, whose real name is Andre Bedward, also pointed out that some people are questioning the use of the word ‘gyal’ – which can be seen as derogatory depending on the context – rather than girl. He explained that there is absolutely no disrespect intended.

1. Your new 16-track album has an interesting name. Take us through the thought process behind ‘Gyaliday: The Gyalbum’.

The ‘gyaliday’ concept comes from a longtime train of thought that I have over the years that holiday is for females … males only turn up because females are out. So I seh galiday from dem time deh. When I started this album I wanted a name that is unique. Just the fact that I am doing an all-female gyalbum is interesting. Only Shaggy alone has done an all-female album. [But], I have done it now. The name ‘gyalbum’ is self-explanatory. We tek off the ‘Al’ from album because no man no deh pon it … a bare gyal. Gyal is a dancehall expression of girl. It is no disrespect to females. It is just a Jamaican patois terminology for girl and there’s nothing derogatory on that part.

2. This is your first solo album release. How significant an accomplishment is this for you and what impact do you want to make on dancehall?

Well, the gyalbum is a great accomplishment for me. I produce 80 per cent of the tracks and I write all of my songs. In RDX, I was the producer and promoter of the group. What I want dancehall and dancehall lovers to get from this album is the diversity. I can do a 16-track, all-female gyalbum and I don’t repeat anything because there are so many things that we can talk about the females. That diversity is a really good feeling. Every single woman across the world can relate to this gyalbum. Above, all, I want it to be a household name. I try to keep it as clean as possible, so that even the baby can enjoy it.

3. Is there any particular reason why you chose Toddler for a collab?

Harry Toddler has been a friend of mine for many, many years. I lived at 5 South Road, Kingston 10, and he and his family used to live in the same big yard. Our families were all friends. I moved to Portmore and that’s where the communication break, but Toddler was doing his thing and I was doing my thing. He has a song called Bare Gyal and that was one of my favourite songs and when I got the opportunity to get to do a collab with Toddler I wanted to reinvent that song. I link up back with Toddler and he was really excited to do it as well. The first thing him seh was ‘Wha man! Yuh nuh see seh a 5 South Road link up.’

4. What would you say are some of the advantages/disadvantages of being a solo artiste?

I don’t feel like there is a disadvantage of being a solo artiste. Being in a group is like yuh have to basically conform to other people’s opinions. As a solo artiste you can do whatever you want. If there are three people in a group, its’s three different mindset, none of us can think for ourselves we have to all combine the brains together to make one. As a solo artiste the brand that you are putting out there is of you.

5. How has 2024 been for you career wise?

The year 2024 has been great for me ... it has been fun, challenging and money-making. Yeah, mi mek a decent food in 2024. Music wise, I got a huge song with me and Bounty Killer ... Round and Round ... and the fact that a legend like Bounty Killer could approach me to do a song that’s a great accomplishment for me. And other singles are doing really well. The year has been magical and it nuh finish yet ... we are just in September.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com