The year 2009 was a breakout one for deejay Laden. He scored a monster hit with Time to Shine, which was produced by Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor.

It’s been almost two months since his release from prison and the deejay is ready to once again make his mark in music.

“I went to Kingston and I decided to circle Romeich. I’ve known him for a long time. He sent me a rhythm and I recorded a song called Super Clean. He didn’t like it. Him say mi need to go harder and mi haffi give di people supp’n weh dem ago like. And that’s how the song Immortal came about. I was a likkle bit smooth and aggressive on that song. Him love it, and I’m getting a good feedback on it so far,” Laden disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer at his hangout spot in Junction, St Elizabeth, recently.

Aside from Romeich, Laden has been busy in the studios putting in the work with producers, including Lampshade and DJ Mac. He is also looking forward to working with producer Drop Top.

“I did a song with Lampshade called Saved By The Bell. It’s a very personal song and its definitely coming from the bottom of my heart. The song was inspired by the institution and the struggle,” said Laden.

The institution he speaks about refers to his incarceration for almost 30 months. He was ordered to serve time for charges stemming from illegal possession of a firearm.

Laden doesn’t speak much publicly about the incident but he said he was happy to be back on the road.

“The first thing that I did when I touched road was to visit my little spot here in Junction. I came to visit my mom and I also consumed some food. I wanted to see faces that I missed,” Laden disclosed.

Asked what was it that showed him how much his family and friends missed him, Laden said: “Just the people coming to link up wherever I was at the time. Just to see everybody’s faces. It was a joyful moment for everyone.”

Laden, whose real name is O’Keef Aarons, came to the public’s attention in 2006 when he participated as Jim Laden in the popular television talent series Digicel Rising Stars.

He made it to the top 10 television finals.

Laden believes talent shows serve an important purpose in the development of emerging acts.

“The island has so many talented youth and these platforms give the youths opportunities. We always endorse the young talent,” said he said.

Laden who played on the Manning Cup football team at his alma mater Haile Selassie High, said a career playing professional football would’ve been his alternative if music hadn’t worked out for him.

“Big up mi former coach, Mr Mekki, who used to discourage mi [from football], but I can [still] play football at the professional level,” said Laden.

The deejay said he used his time during his incarceration to catch up on the latest happenings in music.

He shared that listens to a lot of the young turks.

“I listen to Valiant, Skillibeng, Chronic Law, 450, Kraff, Skeng, and Malie Donn. Di yute dem a do dem ting. Dem is like a breath of fresh air to the music,” said Laden.