Abblo channels pain into music

From a near-fatal shooting to losing two of the people closest to him, Abblo's world was shattered. Yet, rather than giving up, the dancehall deejay says the heartbreak has only strengthened his resolve to make music that hits hard and speaks truth.

"Mi have the ability to do it long time, but those incidents just bring it out more," he told THE STAR.

He explained that the events pushed him to create more grounded, relatable music that resonates with listeners.

"It's like therapy. I have the talent naturally, so if sup'm happen, mi can just sing 'bout it; and it naah guh tek mi long fi just create a song 'bout it," he shared.

Abblo recorded a heartfelt tribute to his late friend Omari 'Memphis' Butler, titled Memphis Depay, the week after Butler's death. At the time, his head was still wrapped in bandages from the bullet wound that tore through his forehead.

The shooting, which occurred in Portmore, St Catherine, last June, left four of the five occupants of his vehicle wounded, including Abblo, while Butler succumbed to his injuries.

It is alleged that upon reaching the entrance of the scheme, two men approached the vehicle in which they were travelling and opened shots before escaping.

Abblo said the attack has changed his outlook on life, making him more "careful" and somewhat "paranoid".

Reflecting on the emotional toll of these experiences, Abblo explained that he channels his trauma and flashbacks into music.

"It just feel normal to me, honestly, because the words just come to me so naturally," he said.

"Probably to the people dem it sound or feel different, but to me, it feel normal. When mi a create the song fi mi fadda, mi jus feel normal. Probably some part inna di song mi a go feel some type a way, yes, but mi feel alright fi di most part because, as mi seh, it's like therapy." He also credited his fans for giving him the drive to push further.

Music has always been Abblo's dream, and he says both his father and Butler were among his biggest supporters.

"Dem two person deh motivate mi a lot inna di music because dem believe, from mi young, seh mi can duh music. Suh it come een like mi deh pon di journey a dweet fi dem now, even though mi been a dweet fi dem from ever since. Suh now mi affi dweet fi dem more," he said, noting that he has been honing his craft for over five years.

Dubbing himself a self-proclaimed 'Ghetto Superstar', Abblo said the title reflects how his Maxfield community sees him.

"It's always been that way, because it look like a we alone have a light fi come outta dat community inna dah way deh, like fi be a celebrity; and we are treated as such," he laughed.