By Germaine Smith, Staff ReporterPREDATOR HAS helped put madness in style.
The husky-voiced deejay may seem fixated on madness in his songs, but the massive attention and 'hype' he now commands seems to be worth it.
The 28-year-old deejay told The Gleaner that he has always been involved in music at one level or another. He grew up in Pink Lane in West Kingston, but moved to Grants Pen 11 years ago.
He credits long-time friend 'Chisel' for giving him the confidence to grab a microphone for the first time to deejay on a sound system and praises the Grants Pen community for giving him encouragement to continue. He told The Gleaner that before his hits like Mad and Mad Again, he used to deejay on several sound systems across Kingston.
Now that he has been recognised by the public, Predator tells The Gleaner that he remains true to his long-time friends and community. He still rides his motorcycle across Kingston and says he still visits everyone he used to 'par' with.
Of course, he has time to talk to The Gleaner.
How did you get the name Predator?
Predator: Mad Cobra gave me that name in 1991. I was just hanging around him and he said to me 'Yu know seh yu fi name Predator' and I started using the name. Inside Grants Pen too, some of the youths dem used to say 'Predator yu mad eeeh!', so I continued with the name.
What is your real name?
Mark Henry.
What is your favourite food?
Mackerel and rice, the real ghetto thing.
What were you doing before you became a deejay?
The music fraternity grew me. I was always into music. From I was under the influence of Chisel I used to deejay on Super Rock in King Street, Playmate in Whitehall, Magic Touch in Cassia Park and some more sound systems.
How did you get the break?
Last August I link up with Bounty Killer and he gave me the run. He gave me the first chance to voice a song on a big rhythm and everything just tek off from there.
How does the popularity you now have affect you?
I feel good, but I can handle it because I have been in the business a long time now. Life is different, because more people start call to me now. I am not rich, but I am more comfortable and living better. I pray to God more now and I encourage all youths to do the same. If they pray more they can be a King in all that they do.
Where do you get ideas for your songs?
I don't find it hard to get songs, cause I do reality. What I see happening is what I deejay, so there is no need to counteract my song. You can't counteract reality. The cleaner and purer your heart is, the easier it is to get a hit song. The more powerful your song is the more ideas you get. Every day I get new ideas.
Are you doing songs only about madness?
No man. I deejay about everything I see and come later this year or early next year, some more tunes coming about weed, girls and more reality. I am working with Don Corleone now to bring those tunes.
Who are your favourite local and/or foreign artistes?
Locally I listen to Bounty Killer, Mad Cobra and Ninja Ford. Internationally it is Snoop Dog.
What are your career plans?
I am going all out with my career, it does not really stop here. I plan to carry it as far as the people want me to carry it. My aim also is to make Grants Pen a better community, because it is a nice place.
People want to know what is it between you and Ninja Man?
I have nothing to say about Ninja Man. I am just focusing on my career and the people in my circle right now.
