‘Buy the album’ - Ding Dong rallies support for debut project

Following the release of his debut album, dancer-turned-artiste Ding Dong is intent on changing the narrative and encouraged fans to put their money where their support is.

"Buy the album," was the theme of his exhortation to those who turned up at the media launch of From Ding Dong to World Ding, last Thursday at Romeich HQ on Campbell's Boulevard, St Andrew.

"Dem seh dancehall people nuh buy album, but we a go change that narrative," Ding Dong said.

He pointed out that on every table was a card with a bar code for guests to scan and buy the album, emphasising that it was important to support the culture.

"The album a drop midnight ... mi debut album. Listen to mi. Doan mek mi cry tears. Mi waan go visit Bob Marley because a him alone stay uppa number one [on the chart]. Mi waan go rub shoulder wid him cause Jr Gong and Ziggy dem gi mi a message fi gi him. Dem seh 'A Ding Dong a go fawud fi di number one spot fi about one two month'. Nuh watch nuh face Bob Marley. So people, go buy di album ... support di album," Ding Dong pleaded.

The message reached home and, in a commendable show of support, First in Line Ja made a pledge to buy 50 copies of the album to give away to its staff members.

Released last Friday, by Sunday, From Ding to World Ding, secured the number four position on the iTunes Top 100 Reggae Albums chart. At number three was I-Octane's God and I, which was released the previous week. Bob Marley still retains the number one spot.

Ding Dong said that the 13-track album, which starts with the gospel song, Glory, featuring Vanessa Bling, is "full of one different energy ... a different vibe".

Friday night's launch was high voltage excitement from the JPS energy ambassador. Ding Dong was in his element, even as he marvelled at the support from his family, his Ravers crew and sponsors. Artistes, Popeye Caution, Stalk Ashley, and Kemar Highcon, were also present.

"Mommy mi reach! Culture minister deh right here suh!" he shouted out to his mother, who was sitting upstairs inside the venue, as Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, stood beside him on stage. The entertainer was equally overwhelmed when a smiling Lisa Hanna showed up for him.

From Ding Dong to World Ding features a collab with Stalk Ashley and Govana, who was unavoidably absent, as well as collabs with Kaka Highflames, Popeye Caution, Busta Rhymes, Skeng and Afro Band. His monster hit, Badman Forward, Badman Pull Up, has been given an exciting remix treatment, with an added treat in the form of Skillibeng.