Diavallan Fearon The Producer

The music fraternity in Jamaica has always been turning out artistes year after year but only few have been able to stand the test of what the music industry demands of them, and too, very few have been able to actually deliver what they said they would. This, however, cannot be said of Music Addict, who is a devoted musician and always promises to deliver and does just that. Music Addict has emerged within a time when the older generation of musicians have become disappointed with the caliber of music that is being produced by young artistes and is about to lift the level of consciousness within the music. Fresh, new and creative ideas combined with positive light bearing messages of Rastafari-peace, love and unity, are just what the doctor ordered and Music Addict is filling that prescription.
Describing himself as a “Musical Warrior”, Music Addict works assiduously, carefully putting his attention in creating new songs, sounds and vibration for the upliftment and entertainment of the ears and eyes of the many fans he has and wishes to capture. What makes Music Addict so striking is his undaunting expression of his love for music and the way he gives of himself musically. His voice for one, gives him an unmatched advantage, that is, unlike many artist who find it ever so difficult to sing and deejay at the same time, Music Addict is the kind of artist who has honed his own talent and is therefore quite able to manipulate his voice. This unmistakable sound of his voice allows him to do just about anything, creating his own unique style of music that is accompanied by his new burst of energy within the music fraternity.
Music Addict, born Diavallan E. Fearon (Dia) on October 19, 1975, to Rastafarian parents, have been actively involved in music since inception and has realized his full potential upon arrival into this world. For many artistes, music is second nature but for him it is first and last, hence the name Music Addict. Being the first of six children to one of Jamaica’s finest piano players and tuner, Dennis ‘Jah D’ Fearon, and one of the humblest and hard working women, Paulette Fearon, Music Addict knew nothing more than the love of music and Jah. Growing up in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica is never easy for anyone, especially children; it either makes or breaks you; but being exposed to both the negative elements of the ghetto and the positive vibrations of Rastafari has proven to be a balance in this talented musicians/artistes life. Music Addict is a Reggae artist as well as a Dancehall fanatic that has him turning up the heat ‘pon Babylon’ without pity to elevating the beauty of the ‘Ghetto Girls’; not your typical 21st century Jamaican artist, either they are Dancehall or Reggae, hardly both.
This past student of Kingston Technical, who grew up between Kingston and St. Ann, has already created a name for himself when he produced “Where is the Love” by Damian Marley featuring Eve on the Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Grammy winning album- Half Way Tree (released 9/11/2001). That very year he released his debut album, appropriately entitled “Dia- The Warrior”, a double disc album, featuring Louis Culture. Making a name for himself started at a tender age, where at age seventeen (17) he was keyboard player for groups like Chakula, Earth Ruler, Fire House and even The Abyssinians. In 2003 Music Addict raced his way to the top of the charts with his enigmatic rhythm, Gallop. The rhythm featured artistes such as Bounti Killa, Elephant Man, Spragga Benz, Wyclef Jean, Mad Cobra, Predator and Kip Rich. With its unique combination of helicopter and horses galloping through out, the rhythm climbed fast to the top of the charts in Jamaica, New York and Miami. He also produced “Fan dem off” on Elephant Man’s “Good 2 Go” album. Music Addict has also added his golden touch to myriads of chart topping albums, including Anthony B’s “That’s Life”, Sizzla Kolunji, Perfect, Norris Man, Determine, Cobra, Spragga Benz, Cocoa Tea, and Zena(UK based). This list of work does not stop as he is currently working on his own album, soon to hit the streets.
Enthralled with a passion for music, Music Addict does not know a day without humility and empathy, many say those traits are what distinguish him from the rest of producers, since he has worked with many big named artistes and this has not gotten to his head. “I see myself as one of the patriots, to bring more love, joy and songs, promoting peace and unity within the music”. Zealous, passionate, sympathetic and blessed are words that are conjured up in the mind when one encounters with the rare and precious talent, which is embodied in the essence of this artist. Owning his own studio and production house- Builders Music Company (independent entity) is not a dream for Music Addict, since that dream has long been realized and has given him immense flexibility in producing countless number of tracks for young and up coming artistes as well as established ones. This musical engineer is also blessed with the gift of song writing and has written and co-written songs for Spragga Benz, Ghost, Sugar Slick, Bounti Killa and Mad Cobra just to name a few. Remember “Kaushan Band”, backing band for artistes like Bounti Killa, Shabba Ranks, Cutty Ranks, Lady Saw, Spragga Benz, Vegas and Frisco Kid. Remember the clashes at Sting, Ninja Man, Cobra, Merciless, Bounti-Beenie Sagas, yup, the keyboard player was Diavallan “Music Addict” Fearon.
Picking up on the spiritual energies of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh (sharing same earth day-October 19 as Peter) and loving what he hears from producers such as Lil’ Jon, Dr. Dre, R. Kelly and Neptunes, admiring their fresh and creative flow, Music Addict is one to create his kind of music, what he terms as “visionary music”. This he says is his “fusion of the different genres to create a music that I’m addicted to”, allowing it to become interactive and even rhapsodizing the listener by taking them on visual and spiritual treks to different lands facilitated by the different cultural sounds within his music. With this kind of music, he hopes to establish a new force of change within the minds of listeners of any age group ultimately enhancing a new creative space for others to develop. When he started out singing “people told me that I sounded like one of the Marleys” and he could not deny that fact since he admired Bob Marley so much. Though Bob Marley has influenced him, he never wanted to be another sound alike, so this experience pushed him to learn more about his “sound and develop on it,” and growing up in his father’s studio made this redefinition of self and sound quite quick and easy.
Looking up to heroes in his life like his father- Jah D, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie the First, Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley, Music Addict has learnt how to balance his mind, this has given him the capacity to stay focus and see clearly that which he wishes to accomplish. “If you can’t control your mind, your meditation will run and you won’t be steady. You just have to know yourself.” And in knowing himself, his image has changed, changed to more fittingly represent a “Musical Warrior”. Music Addict can always be seen donned in gloves, symbolizing the mysticism of Rastafari and preventing Babylon from “getting a trace of Jah warrior, cause wi move mystic.” If not for music what would he be doing? Music. What can the world expect from Music Addict? ”Bare1s. I’m addicted to music!”A Builders Production.