Stage Name: Cham

Real Name: Damian Beckett

Birth Month: February

How did you get started in the business?

Cham: I got started through my uncle who owned a sound system called Studio Mix in Waterhouse, and artistes like John Wayne, Super Cat, to name a few, would pass by and perform and rehearse in the days. I had a lot of access to the system in the days, so that's how I got started.

What has been your greatest challenge in the business yet?

Cham: I think I have two greatest challenges which go neck and neck. The first being just to be consistent, when you hear a Cham record they don't fluctuate, one isn't in the sky and the other on the ground, they are all in the sky, they get better and better than the one before. The second is trying to separate Cham from Damian Beckett. This life can be so fast, everything goes fast, and people get caught up, so it's to balance that and be Cham on stage and Damian in the house.

What have you been up to lately?

Cham: Been up to turning up the music. We have Stronger out, which is doing well and turning up the place. it's #1 in the charts in Jamaica. 'Turn It Up' rhythm just dropped from Dave Kelly, Madhouse, with myself, Rodney Pryce, Pinchers, Timberlee, and I have a song on it called Tump Mi, Bling Dawg is on it. I'm just focused on music right now, we just did the 'Turn It Up' mix CDs, which is gonna be giving away for free.

Do you look up to any specific artiste and why?

Cham: Lots of them. from day one I've looked up to someone like Michael Jackson and the way he commanded a stage, he always looked like he was having fun. Then there's Buju who had some big songs with Dave Kelly, and from there I said I wanted to work wid Dave and it worked out for the best. Bounty Killer from day one, when I first started out, would show me how things go. Shabba Ranks because of his prestige, he never flooded the market, and lots of others.

Are you happy with the way things are going for your musical career right now?

Cham: Always. I've never considered music as working, it doesn't feel like a job, a chore, so I give thanks for that.

Do you have any advice for young artistes coming up?

Cham: Yeah, a lot, but I'll stick with this, nowadays artistes are too hype, dem don't even have two classics good that 10 years from now people will still be playing. They need to take music seriously and do the work that needs to be done. it' s not about the hype and the egos.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Cham: I see myself making more good music, collecting a lot of awards, enjoying myself with my family, musical family.