Don't Rush Off



Dancehall & Reggae recording artiste Laden, whose real name is O’Keefe Aarons, catapulted into the limelight through a Jamaican music competition known as Digicel Rising Stars Before Rising Stars, O’Keefe was just an ordinary kid who had no inkling that he would one day grace the stage. As he recollects, he developed the natural gift of ‘riding a rhythm” by just listening to beats and singing along. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica and spent the first few years of his life in the volatile Payne Avenue area. However, circumstances dictated that his family migrate to the more peaceful community of Cheapside District in St. Elizabeth where he attended Littz All Age School.. He later attended the Haile Selassie High School in Kingston. As fate would have it his best friend Mark Richie (Gussie) succumbed to injuries sustained in a fatal car accident. This catastrophe heralded the “coming out” of the artistic side of O’Keefe as it inspired him to pen his first song “Tribute”. This song was recorded and distributed to friends and sound systems. Nothing came of the song but it was the feedback, mostly encouragement which pushed him to start thinking seriously about a career as a DJ. It was the year 2006 and the TVJ Rising Star Auditions was coming “to your town”... Of course, Laden tracked all the way to Negril to audition. Laden made history by becoming the first Top Ten DJ finalist in the competition. He was able to withstand seven grueling weeks of competition and critique from the judges. He admits that he was not bruised by Anthony Millers sometimes “brutally honest” criticisms. He stayed the course and remained focused. He has only benefitted from the Rising Stars experience. Laden was bent on not fitting the talent competitor stereotype. He was now a household name. Armed with this new experience and popularity Laden launched his musical career. He recorded songs for the Shocking Vibes Label. He collaborated with Devonte on the song “The Theme Song” which was used to promote Cricket World Cup. It was the summer of 2007 when Laden introduced himself to Stephen McGregor of Big Ship. This was to become the ultimate experience of his young career. Laden was now hanging out with the movers and shakers in the business. From “Don’t you Like It” on the Chiney K rhythm, “Gal Coward” on the Day Break rhythm to his exclusive song “I’m Sorry” that cemented his name in the dancehall industry. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.