Profiles
Profile: Da'Ville
By vprecords.com
Mar 14, 2008, 7:42

“Music connects the world, but reggae dancehall connects people. It makes them listen and move at the same time. Music is my medium of expression that I use for people to vibe with me”- Da’Ville

Da’Ville and his music are definitely on the minds of many listeners, which is why his new album ‘On My Mind,’ is quite befitting for the title. Set to be released internationally on May 15th, 2007, this impressive album showcases the multitude of this new lover’s rock sensation’s talents. Aside from his vocal abilities, Da’Ville is a great songwriter, composer and producer. He adds to his credits, several music videos and TV commercial appearances, as well. In 2005, Da’Ville’s chart topping single “In Heaven” (produced by O.Thomas and N. Palmer for Nap Musiq) provided evidence of an expanding fan base.

In August 2005, his debut album ‘In Heaven’ produced and co-produced by O. Thomas, J.Brown and R. (Shams) Browne respectively, for Fashozy Records, was released in Japan by Avex Entertainment Group. The success of this debut album charted within the 2005 top ten best selling albums for Japan Tower Records and lead to numerous tours throughout Japan, Jamaica and other Caribbean Islands. As a result, in 2006, Avex released his second album ‘Can’t Get Over You’ produced by O.Thomas and J.Brown for Fashozy Records. Both cd’s spun off three chart topping hits “In Heaven,” produced by O.Thomas & N. Palmer for Nap Musiq, “Can’t Get Over You” and “On My Mind” produced by O. Thomas and J. Brown for Fashozy Records. Fans became captured by his tantalizing lovers’ rock lyrics as the media attention mounted. Consequently, his reputation as the “Big Bad Singer,” exploded in Jamaica and abroad.

The year 2006 was undeniably a stellar year for Da’Ville. The smash hit singles “Can’t Get Over You.”, “On My Mind”, and newly released “This Time I Promise” were all chart toppers. The single “Can’t Get Over You” which was within the top ten reggae countdown in Jamaica, held #1 position in Aruba & #2 position in New York, which was included on VP’s 2006 Reggae Gold. “On My Mind” which held the #1 position on several charts including Jamaica (5 weeks), New York (3 weeks), and Florida, and is still charting in Europe and Africa. After an electrifying performance in New York City around early October, the “Big Bad Singer” was profiled in the New York Times and in December he was honored with Stone Loves “Singer Of The Year” award in 2006.

In spring 2007, his upcoming album ‘On My Mind,’ a collection of his current and upcoming love ballads, adds range and a diverse sound to the new generation of lover’s rock. Chart-toppers, “On My Mind” and “Cant Get Over You” cleverly capture the emotions of that all-familiar lovesick feeling. On the current hit, “This Time I Promise” he confesses and pleas-“I know I made some mistakes…Baby, it’s not too late… Believe in what we had and everything will be great. I made a change for you… and this time I promise… I’m never gonna hurt you again.” The vivacious love anthem, “Dancehall Lovers Rock,” expresses how the vibrations of the music and the spellbound beauty of a woman go hand in hand- with words like-“Sweet reggae music is playing in my head.” “Got to get myself a girl to do the dancehall lovers rock…cause I don’t want to be lonely tonight…I got to have a lady by my side.” This solid album also has a collaboration with the legendary Marcia Griffiths on love song, “All My Life,” and an outstanding production team between himself, O.Thomas and J. Brown.

Before all these triumphs, Da’Ville began building his craft at a young age. Born Orville Thomas on January 24, 1978, in Kingston Jamaica, he was raised primarily by his grandmother, Ms. Feama, who instilled in him the principles of education and religion. She was a strict disciplinarian, who ensured that Da’Ville attended church and sang in the church choir. “I was always singing, even from a little boy.” As a teenager, he continued to sing in the St. Peter Claver Church choir and performed at local school functions. Later, he wrote and recorded his first single under the influence of his father.

With the emergence of groups like Boys II Men, Silk, Shai and Jodeci on the seen, Da’Ville became inspired to form a group of his own. After several unsuccessful attempts he continued to develop his craft until he graduated from high school. Upon graduation from Norman Manley Comprehensive High School, Da’Ville worked in a factory and as a store clerk. Shortly after, he was introduced to a newly formed group which later became ARP (A Raw Perspective). “Even though I once thought about being an accountant or a manager of a large corporation, music was always my greatest passion.”

After working with former group members of ARP, Da’Ville, in 2001, signed with Penthouse Records as a solo artiste under the management of Donovan Germaine. He recorded the hit singles: “Cruzin”, and “All My Life” the latter of which was recorded with then label mate, Marcia Griffiths. “All My Life,” was nominated for the 2001 Reggae Soca Awards. A few years later Da’Ville departed from Penthouse Records and decided to pursue other opportunities within the music industry.

Da’Ville continued to record hit singles for producers such as: J.Brown, Fire links, Stephen McGregor, Don Corleon, Preston Anfoy, Wee-Pow (Stone Love), Beres Hammond, Robert Livingston (Big Yard Music), and many more. His unstoppable energy and determination kept him in the studios creating irresistible melodic lyrics that everyone would soon come to love. Da’Ville also continued to perform and develop his stage performance while laying the groundwork for his most recent accomplishments.