Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer 
Mr. Lex, 26-year-old Jamaican deejay, is working hard and looking out for life's best. - Rudolph Brown
MR. LEX, the man who calls himself an entertainer not a mere deejay -- and who first made his name as a dancer, is today showing the results of a life of hard work.
Outlook snatched a conversation with this deejay in between tours and on his return to Kingston from several nights' performance at the Conduit, a club located in Trenton, New Jersey, in the United States.
Garbed for hot weather in sleeveless top and cool jeans, he is, today, as relaxed as his hair which flows an enviable length over his shoulders (many women use extensions to achieve the same look). The deejay, also known as Lexxus, accessorised his weekend look with lots of rose gold, jewellery which he says is the latest thing.
Lexxus arrives with a lot of bling, but at heart he is interested in much simpler things. The man for whom life has been quite rewarding since he made his dancehall debut in 1998, says he is not interested in owning homes with 14 bedrooms, or a fleet of cars with more than three vehicles.
Needs no castle
"I just want a nice house in a nice, quite place one that is secluded. I need no castle."
Born Christopher Palmer and raised in the Mountain View area of Kingston, Mr. Lex is the son of Texita Walker, a single mother who sent her three children to school with proceeds from her small bar.
Mr. Lex recalls times when his mother was broke, having "zip, nada" in terms of resources. There were also many nights spent without dinner, "holidays without gifts". Christmas was just like other day of the year.
Mr. Lex passed the Common Entrance Examination for Jamaica College, but it was to Trench Town Comprehensive and then to Boys' Town Training Centre which he went, as his mother could not afford the costs attached to the traditional high school. His father "was just never a part" of his life before he was 18, he recalls.
The entertainer recalls none of this with bitterness. He was a bright student whose only weaknesses were mathematics and Spanish. He enjoyed school, but from an age so young that he cannot remember it, he was focused on being an entertainer.
Mr. Lex was always a talented dancer and began his stage career at Rollington Town Primary School. He says he perhaps got his inclination from Mom ,'Ms. Taxi' who loved music and was quite a good dancer herself.
From these tender years, he was coming up with his own original routines as well as going with the general vibe.
At first, his mother disliked the idea of his making a career of entertainment, but, "after she noticed how much I loved it, she started encouraging me. I was just burning with passion for performing."
Mr. Lex hit the sound system circuit with earnest in 1994 and by 1999 his name had become an household word. Joining the popular dance troupe Squad One, he became known as a good dancer.
To hone his natural talent, he attended the Fox Drama School (now defunct) and appeared in several plays, earning a Best Actor award in 1992. In this year, he also began to deejay, displaying a rolling tongued dexterity at the popular Sunday night dances held in Kingston's Harbour View area, featuring the Super Dee sound system.
It was here that representatives from The New York based label Natural Bridge Records heard and stood at attention. They took him to Kingston's Mixing Lab recording studios where the 16-year-old recorded his first single, "Own A Home", as tribute to independent women.
In 1997, his efforts were rewarded with three hit singles, "Runaway Train" (X-Rated label), "Fade Away" (2-Hard Records) and "Boogie Woogie" for producers Steely and Clevie.
Mr. Lex also received several concert bookings including an invitation to perform in New York City where he decided to live for an entire year. He was later to build on this success in Reggae Sumfest's Dancehall Night.
Knowing how hard it is to get the attention of producers in local music studios, Outlook wanted to know how Mr. Lex managed the feat at so young an age.
"It's not impossible. If it were impossible I would not have done it. All it takes is hard work and talent," Mr. Lex.
This is an understatement. Mr. Lex later admitted that getting into the local studios involved first getting past the security at the studio gates, then impressing fellow DJs. Then impressing the soundmen, studio engineers and producers - in that order.
The DJ who describes himself as a people person says he did not find any of this daunting.
One of his lowest moments was coming back to perform at Sting in December 1998 (having lost momentum from time spent in new York).
But, it was to prove to be one of the best nights of his life.
Placed in a line up of artiste, many of whom had been booed and bottled before his appearance Mr. Lex was the man who wowed the crowd.
It is noted that the unknown songs Mr. Lex performed at Sting became Jamaican radio hits and his performance in August 1999.
The "Mr. Lex" buzz intensified with his first #1 single "Get Wid It", produced by King Jammys, and the Steely and Clevie's produced "Yu Nah", another #1 and "Cook" another winner which funnily tells women to get back to 'basics'.
Other Mr. Lex tunes included "Cellie", "Real Age" and "Divine Reasoning" (King Jammys), a conversation with The Creator. He is currently recording a new video, Taxi Fare with friend and fellow DJ Vegas. Fans can also look out for several new singles from producers Ouza and Furza.
Today he says, "I don't feel me reach yet. It will take much more work."
In 'Philly' (Philadelphia), he says, the response from his cross-over audience "was tremendous" . This, he says is his new target market. He will rest for a few days before leaving again for the next tour and hopefully, similarly appreciative crowds.
This summer he will continue that task with a five and a half week tour of Spain, England, Germany and France. This was expected to start on August 18.
In addition to getting a permanent place in the hearts of the crossover crowd, he is focused on making his sons 'set for life.'
The deejay, who says he is now has a good relationship with his father, is himself the father of four sons who according to him, "think I am the best father in the world."
They are Tris, aged nine, Chris aged 8 and Trey and Joe-Harry who are both aged five.
He is married to Tossan, the partner with whom he has lived, he says for the last seven years but from whom he is "Unfortunately", now separated.
"I love her, but that is not the driving factor in my life. I am focused on my career," he says calmly.
Mr. Lex says he loves different women for different reasons.
Women who want to get his attention need to be real "pretty, real smart, really intelligent and have a great personality," the DJ says. "I am not wild guy," he adds.
He loves football, clubbing and is also into technology in a big way. Much of his free time is spent playing the X-box, play stations, game boy and PSP. He also watches a lot of movies.
"I try to make my life as normal as possible when I can," he explains.
On stage and off, he tries to keep his feet on the ground..
"The hardest thing in my career," says the entertainer, "is to be everybody's role model. Everybody has his or her own idea of who you should be. You cant please everyone. I just have to be myself.
"I have got to be myself, and that is the best. I want the best. I want to eat the best food, wear the best clothes and talk to the best people.
" It's better to be the best and let it rest."
