Aidonia

Aidonia is a Jamaican dancehall and reggae deejay, born Sheldon Lawrence in 1981. He is the second of four children, and his family background includes a mother who is a teacher and a father who is an ex-soldier. He grows up with strong family values and picks up street knowledge from friends.

Early life and first performances

He attends Mona Heights Primary School and later Meadowbrook High School, where he first develops a serious interest in music. A turning point comes after he watches the 1993 Sting clash between Beenie Man and Bounty Killer on video. Inspired by Bounty Killer, he decides to become a deejay and begins mimicking the clash for classmates after the Christmas break. His talent is soon recognised, and he starts writing his own lyrics.

While still at school, he forms the J.A.G 1 crew, also known as Jah A Guide, with friends. The group is also referred to as J.O.P., or Jag One Productions, and performs at school concerts and fetes.

Recording career

After leaving high school, he meets Mr. G, then known as Goofy, and records his first single, Many a Dem, in October 2003. He then begins working with Rod Pinnock of Orizen Entertainment. In early 2004, he becomes a regular performer at the weekly Battle Thursdays event, where he gains recognition and improves his stage skills. Mr. Pinnock also introduces him to the business side of music by giving him The Business of Music to read.

Later in 2004, Cordell “Skatta” Burrell invites him to record at his studio. He becomes associated with Gangbang Entertainment and works with Skatta and other producers. During this period he records songs including Prayer, Inna Di Ghetto, Eagle, and the charting hit Lolly. Other singles mentioned from this period include Chickenhead on the Galore riddim, Bookam on the Billbak riddim, Reload on the Redbull & Guinness riddim, and Kingfish and Unknown Assailant on the Stick-Up riddim.

Collaborations and live performances

He fulfils one of his goals by recording Sen Fi Dem with Bounty Killer, and he then appears with Bounty Killer on several occasions. He also performs across Jamaica at events including UWI and UTech shows, Chancellor Hall’s Spectrum, Eclipse Pool Party, Lady Saw’s Birthday Bash, Champions In Action, Spring Break in Negril, Fully Loaded, ATI 2006, Sting 2K5, Reggae Sunsplash and Sumfest.

Style and aims

Aidonia is known for a hard-edged, inventive style and for his fast lyrical delivery. He is also known by the nickname “lyrical king”. He says he wants to continue developing as an artiste, work with producers such as Dave Kelly, Steelie & Clevie, and Sly & Robbie, and record internationally recognised work. He also names artists including Shabba Ranks, Sizzla, Baby Cham, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton as people he would like to work with.

One of his singles, Ooku, is pulled from the airwaves pending investigation by the Broadcasting Commission.