Dancehall artiste Koachxlla knows the true meaning of sacrifice.

When he was a child, his mother sacrificed her own life to save him from marauding gunmen after a home invasion in his community turned bloody.

“My mother is a bad gyal, a superwoman inna real life,” he said.

She challenged the killers and died protecting her children.

Since age 10 Koachxlla has had to deal with that trauma — old wounds which are laid bare in May whenever Mother’s Day is celebrated.

“It is the pain of having all that to deal with, and knowing she gave her life for mine basically. Is a chip that I carry on my shoulders, so whether I want to cry or talk about it, it is always there,” he said.

“As a matter of fact, I knew and understood stuff about my trauma that not even my dad could relate to.”

These experiences push him towards being the best he can be. He wants to be the best in the game and that is why he is pushing his latest single, Suppose, which was released on May 17.

“[It’s] humbling because the record is being compared to 450’s  What If’, and we all know that’s a massive record. The song itself is inspired by real events in my life. I always have time for the ladies and this track speaks to them directly, kinda asking all the right questions,” he said.

The song is co-produced by Fire Royal Records and DJ Seedy Productions.

Born in Montego Bay, his family relocated to Old Harbour, St Catherine, where he attended Old Harbour High School.

He played defensive midfield for his high school team, representing the school at the daCosta Cup level. He earned the nickname Cochi in high school and then when he began to experiment with music he re-christened himself Koachxlla.

He released his first single, Steam, in 2018 with Dan Sky Records.

He is currently working with Creg Henclewood, chief executive officer of Fire Royal Records, and Anthony Martin, CEO of DJ Seed Production, an overseas-based label.

Koachxlla is already preparing to drop his second single, City Lock, a summer banger that is expected to do well on the club circuit.

“I cannot be alive and not make the most of each day, and become someone she can be remembered for. My main focus now is to improve myself and become a force in dancehall and understand how it moves barriers,” he said.