Ding Dong celebrating major firsts ahead of birthday bash

Despite jokingly being only 25 years old, dancehall entertainer and dancer extraordinaire Kemar ‘Ding Dong’ Ottey has a lot of experience under his belt. Not only has he built a reputation as a hitmaker, but Ottey has also been a mainstay in the dancing segment of dancehall culture for quite some time, rubbing shoulders with icons like the famed Gerald ‘Bogle’ Levy and Andrew Smith, also known as ‘Ice’. However, even with all the accolades to his name, the Bounce deejay says there are still a few major firsts he is happy to be celebrating – especially the welcoming of the first child with his wife, and his first-ever album.

“I’m becoming a father again; I am expecting a baby boy. So that is another experience altogether. When I got my first [two] kids, I was always up and down, and I never got to experience certain things a father should have because of time constraints with touring and all of that,” Ding Dong explained.

“So, with this being the first child with my wife, and being older and more mature, I get to experience those things I missed for the first time. I’ve learned how to prioritise a whole lot more and understanding the value of what’s really important,” he continued.

Additionally, the entertainer is working on his first-ever “body of work”, and is most excited to share it with his fans.

“We’re just finalising everything before I announce the date. I’m almost there, just waiting on the final few songs to be mastered and mixed – but everything else is in place,” he explained.

It’s hard to believe that someone with as many hit songs as Ding Dong has never done an album before, but he explained that now feels like the right time.

“I waited this time to do it because I wanted to give myself enough time to generate a fanbase as an artiste rather than a dancer. You know, sometimes you have to convince people you are what you are, so I gave myself that time by creating a lot of songs that have different reaches,” he said.

The singer-songwriter is celebrating these major milestones ahead of his annual birthday bash which is set to take place on September 21 at Mas Camp. While he is currently keeping the slew of artistes expected to attend and perform a mystery, Ding Dong is encouraging patrons to expect the unexpected.

“You know every year is a fun-filled birthday celebration for me. You know it is always a sold-out event, and for that we haffi big up the sponsors. Big up Romeich Entertainment and big up Magnum Tonic Wine – it’s gonna be a crazy one,” he said, adding,“You never know who might pop up. So, to all my fans, fawud out early…it’s gonna be a live one.”

kenrick.morgan@gleanerjm.com