Though he has only been in the business for three years, Dancehall artiste Devalle Noble who goes by stage name ‘Dancehall Gad’ is looking to make a name for himself with his provocative lyrics.
One of his most recent songs, “Sixteen”, details the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
“My music is quite controversial,” Devalle admitted. But he added that his music is also inspirational and appeals to those who like listening to intellectual pieces.
An Alberttown, Georgetown resident, he told The Scene, “I was a good boy. I started singing R&B music and at the time I was going to Cummings Lodge Secondary. Nobody listened to R&B so I started singing Dancehall.”
While at school he found himself in an alliance with negative influences resulting in him being expelled. Determined to finish school, he enrolled at Morgan’s Learning Centre where he completed his secondary education.
Growing up, he said, he drew inspiration from Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Popcaan, and Tommy Lee Sparta.
Apart from music, Devalle said, his boyhood days were also filled with bush cooks and playing video games and marbles.
To stay trending with his music, the artiste ensures he is always watching the news and staying up-to-date on social media. All of this helps Devalle when he’s writing. The singer shared that he is particularly interested in word phrases and tries to learn a new word every day.
According to the artiste, over the last three years he has posted 61 of his songs on his YouTube channel. With most of his songs being posted on social media, Devalle is yet to make an income. Even so he sees it as an investment and added that he is “staying hopeful” for that day when he starts receiving the big bucks.
Through social media, he has garnered a following from around the Caribbean, the UK and Ghana.
Whatever money he makes from his music comes from performing at events which made him anxious with the coming of the pandemic. “When the pandemic came, I thought it was over for me cause I couldn’t perform at parties. But, it improved my creativity and my mask business that I had on the side,” shared Devalle.
He recently opened for the notorious Skeng Concert at the National Park and has performed at Aracari Resort, the National Stadium, at clubs and side gigs. He’s also performed alongside Tommy Lee Sparta and Governor.
In reference to the Skeng, who gifted him US$50 at the show, Devalle said he understood the Jamaican singer adding that while he sings about violence, he was certain he did not take part in such activities. Devalle also said that the artiste realises that songs like that attract fans and it’s what makes the money for him. He blamed fans for taking the singer’s songs too literally.
Though he has a job on the side along with his small business, Devalle spends every day in the studio freestyling and working on other areas of his music.
Interested in the narcotics world and in watching documentaries on such trades, Devalle operates a small business selling t-shirts and face masks under the brand ‘Narcos’.
Devalle pointed out that people often complain that Guyanese don’t make good music but said that there are many talented artistes like himself. He calls for local promoters to take the same interest in the local artistes like they do in the foreign artistes. He added that it was Guyanese promoters who made Skeng a bigger star by playing his songs again and again.
Asked about copyright, Devalle said that he knows many artistes want to see stricter measures in place but for him whether persons are stealing his songs by downloading them or burning CDs to sell in the streets, he’s not at all concerned, as the more his songs are played, the more recognised he becomes. He only calls for the promoters to show off Guyana more and for local radio stations to play more Guyanese music.
He added that he was thankful for the few who have stuck by him including producer Rawle Samuels who owns IQ Studios where he works on his music daily. Devalle shared that at the moment, he and Rawle are currently working on new projects slated to be out in a year’s time. “Shout out to all my supporters and fans. Know that 2023 big things will be happening,” he said. Devalle hopes to someday be considered an icon and remembered as a man who made the most of life.
When he’s not caught up with his music and watching documentaries, he enjoys playing video games and board games. He also shared that he loves to eat chicken chowmein, pholourie with extra sour and macaroni and cheese.
The singer can be followed on YouTube, AudioMack, and Facebook at Dancehall Gad.
For bookings, he can be contacted at 654-5710 while his producer can be reached at 662-8118.
