If you’ve not yet heard about the Skeleton Fresh Tour, here’s the skinny… It’s is a live musical showcase of fresh, local talents, and up-and-coming artistes who are Rock-born and raised and who wish to fulfil their dream of someday spreading reggae music across the world. The tour seeks to revive the live music scene and to promote wholesome, authentic music both locally and internationally.

SO had the absolute privilege of basking in the company Sunday last of four new faces as they entertained guests at 100 MoBay, the launch venue of the Jamaica Observer Takes Style Out 2018. We reckon that, like us, you’d want to know a tad more…

The tour continues today at Buccaneer Jerk Centre in St Mary.

Stylez/Iamstylezmusic — Sheldon Ellington

On being in entertainment… I know it’s clichéd to say I didn’t choose music; it chose me. But what can I say? That’s just the absolute truth. I have always been an explorer of things and activities throughout my entire childhood, being dyslectic and all, but never found anything I truly loved until I got involved in music during the last two years of high school.

On my musical style… Well, as you know, my name speaks for itself and my music speaks a whole other language of how diverse I am with fusing sonics and different genres to create my own unique stylez. I call it the fine wine of dancehall!

My personal style… My style is based on my mood and energy at the moment, so it’s not like I go in the closet and say: Yow, I’m going to wear this today and lay it on the bed. I would say my style is bipolar which is what makes it so unique.

I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, at the Jubilee Hospital to be exact, and raised in various garrisons because of the unstable circumstances of my mother. From Grants Pen to Dunkirk to Franklin Town, you name it I’ve lived there at some point in my life.

My journey in the music industry has been a really interesting one, as well. I can remember vividly being in my mother’s house using her old Windows ’98 to make riddims and recording myself using a karaoke that I got from my friend who was in the business. I took what resources I had then and made what I could with it. From writing, to producing, to managing other artistes, to booking agent, to club promoter then back to artist, being my own entertainment lawyer. I just did it all because I couldn’t afford to hire anyone to do anything. Plus, I had to find a way to make money to invest in my true love. Working for people was never an option for me, but I understood that I needed money to invest in my dreams because if I did not no one else would. My first job was working as a sales representative at a stationary company on King’s House Road for a year — that was the longest I worked for someone. Every job after that, from being a cook, car sales rep, health inspector, pest control manager, cable guy, yes, cable guy, all these jobs never lasted more than three months because of my love for and belief in my musical dreams.

Interesting fact about me is that I am self-taught in everything I do, including reading I am one of the few school drop-outs that have made it thus far on my own.

Khalia Million/ Khalia

Jamaican-born, London-bred, she found her way back home through the love of music, becoming the first signed act of K-Licious Music, owned by Grammy award-winning producer Tony “CD” Kelly.

Khalia grew up in Westmoreland, Jamaica until the age of six, when she migrated to London with her mother. She would, however, visit Jamaica annually.

In 2016 Khalia met Shaggy and sent him some of the music she had recorded. After listening, he was impressed with her talent and told her he knew the perfect producer to develop her sound.

When Kelly and Khalia met at his studio in Kingston, they recorded a demo the same day and have been working together ever since.

Fun fact:

Khalia is an Arabic name that means ‘immortal and everlasting’.

It’s a legacy Khalia is determined on building.

The Skeleton Fresh tour is... an opportunity to be a part of something great in Jamaica, showcasing beautiful live music amongst other amazing performers and musicians from the island.

Entertainment chose me... I’ve always wanted to be onstage since a young age and enjoy music and all things creative.

My music is... fresh, positive and something everyone can get into.

My personal style is… colourful, fun and sexy.

Kimberley ‘Kim’ Nain

As a student nothing felt fulfilling to me. Studying was a drag because I never truly had a passion for it. Nothing but music did… I found that after a while music became a coping mechanism, and for me to successfully get through school I had to incorporate music. So there were many late nights spent in studio after classes. I would then make the long journey back to Spanish Town by bus to finish up assignments and do my readings. It was a hectic schedule, on reflection. But at the time it felt fluid; I just couldn’t give up music. On graduation in 2015, I decided that life was far too short not to follow my passion. I was academically sound but my heart just wasn’t there… it was on a stage, on tour, somewhere in Europe.

My celebrity crush is… Trevor Noah because he’s not only hilarious, but he’s also very well-read and an activist and, not to mention, really dreamy. On the list, too, is Joseph Jason Momoa. I mean, have you seen the man? Too bad he’s married.

My musical style is influenced by… my top favourite vocalists. Think of meshing Diana King, Sia, Toni Braxton and Rihanna. I grew up in a Jamaican home, but I am inspired by both local and world music and I’ve found a way to fuse them to make it uniquely my own. My aim is to provide music for the world because music has no limits and shouldn’t be limited by genre or geographical location.

My wardrobe reflects my down-to-earth style… For me, it’s about comfort and I may just throw on a T-shirt, short jeans and a pair of Converses. Add winged liner and slightly tinted lip paint. However, I’m also every woman embodied in one person and because of this my style varies depending on my mood. Today you might get Rihanna, tomorrow maybe Cardi B, and on Saturday I may wake up feeling very Aaliyah.

Tamo J- Dwight-Christopher Allen

Entertaining people comes naturally... because of my personality, but I have chosen to use this channel to deliver messages and share my gifts and talents with the world!

My celeb crush is... a British female actress called Antonia Thomas.

My music influences, I would say, consist of… dancehall vibes over RnB melodies, with a little reggae seasoning and pop flavour!

My personal style is… comfortable and classy, simple and elegant. Cleanliness is next to godliness! #SkeletonFresh