TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Eton Gordon has been touted around dancehall as the next big thing out of the Boutnty Killer-led Alliance next Generation. Under his street name Kalado, he has recorded hits such as Sad Streets, Make Me Feel and Feels The Need.

Describing his musical style as a unique “feel good, lyrical melody” wrapped in one, rising dancehall artiste Kalado is aiming for nothing less than an international career.

Speaking on the topic of influences, he refers to Bounty Killer and Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley as locally bred acts he respects, while Lil’ Wayne and Drake are those he selected from the international scene. In direct reference to Lil’ Wayne, Kalado says he is particularly impressed by the rapper’s ability to connect seemingly random incidents to paint a musical work of art.

The reference to art has a much deeper significance than a mere metaphor as TEENage would come to find out during the ‘sit down’. Interestingly, Kalado who aspires to be a lyrical powerhouse, was an artistic powerhouse during his TEEN years.

In fact, he pointed out that while attending Edwin Allen High, he was one of top CXC students in the Caribbean for Visual Arts and he even received a scholarship from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to continue development of his craft. While he was unable to take up the scholarship, he was not to be defeated as the music sheets replaced the canvas as his medium of expression.

His immediate desire is to establish hits within the music industry, but for Kalado, all his roads lead to international recognition.

Be sure to watch the video for the rest of the interview, including Kalado’s reflections his early days in business and what it takes for one to become successful within the music industry on the Jamaica Observer website or on YouTube.com/TEENageObserver.