Rast Dias — A Unique Reggae Dancehall Talent, Set to Make Massive Impact in the Music Industry

Early Life & Roots

Rast Dias was born in Mt. Pleasant, Hanover, on August 10, 1986. Adrian Dalando Dias — who would later be known to Jamaica and the rest of the world as “Rast Dias” — was determined to make his imprint on the music industry one day.

Rast Dias was no stranger to the music world, showing great interest in music from as early as three years old. He recalled having fond memories of learning to change records on his father’s sound system known as the “Gangsta Force”. That was just the beginning of more incredible things to come — as later he would be changing more than records but also making records of his own.

Growing Up in Kingston

His early educational days began at Malcolm Heights Primary in Hanover before he migrated to Kingston at the age of seven to live with a lady he called grandma, Ms. Francis, as his mother had migrated to the UK. There he settled at Slipe Pen Road, Hannah Town where he attended Chetolah Park Primary School.

Being the budding musician that he was, he began displaying such traits in the classrooms — having countless musical clashes with his peers and coming out on top. After graduating, Rast Dias went on to St. Annie’s High School where he continued to display his dominant clashing characteristics. His selections would include pieces from famous Jamaican artists that influenced his career from youth, such as Capleton, Bob Marley, Garnet Silk, Sanchez, Vybz Kartel, and others.

But his education would soon come to an early halt. With the beginning of the war with West Kingston and Hannah Town which lasted for almost a year, Rast Dias was unable to continue his studies and was forced to stop attending school at the age of fifteen. During this time he began learning a “backyard” trade in mechanical engineering, helping out mechanics nearby in the community, and receiving small stipends which he would use to pay for studio sessions as well as personal savings.

Finding His Path

A year later after the tension in the community had died, he attended the Edith Dalton James Community College to complete a HEART certification in Mechanical Engineering. He believed in having options — if by any chance he was unable to fulfil his musical career, he would have had another option waiting on him.

Upon completing his certificate, he was granted work experience at KIG Motors. With this new change came a change for new surroundings. Still longing to be the great entertainer he knew he was destined to be, he went and resided in Trench Town — the “heartbeat” of Reggae music, the “Mecca” of Reggae music. After three years of working he was laid off from his job. Being a young 19-year-old with no job and his special skills in auto mechanics and music, he decided to take his music career head on and began visiting the studio more often.

Music Career Takes Off

He started visiting the party scenes with dancers such as Fancy Face, Passa Passa, and Hot Mondays, all of which helped to boost his music career. It was shortly after that he recorded his first single “Buil and tek a pill” (renamed Money Bag). With little knowledge about the business side of the industry, his slangs “Way Up deh and A swear to yuh” became a big hit — but it was a hit bigger than he was able to control, and he was not reaping the benefits.

He decided to take a break to fully understand what he was getting himself into and went back to his hometown for about four years. Even though he had a little regret at how things played out for his first single, he did not let that hinder him from achieving his musical goals.

The Return & Rise

He was booked for shows such as Mini-miss Kingsvale and IrieFm Roadshow — Lucea across the island. With his confidence back and mental strength regained, he decided it was time to return to Trench Town to start anew.

Upon his arrival one of his most famous slangs was born: “Banginz and Upps nuh fluckz”. Then the song “Upps” was voiced on the “Yah So Nice” riddim. Things took a turn for the better — Rast Dias was now getting booked for shows in and out of his community.

He made performances at Waves Beach, Jungle Jamboree, and schools including Trench Town High, STATHS, Kingston Technical, and Tivoli Gardens High. With his song “Is This Love” getting frequent rotation on HItz92 FM and Suncity Radio, the management team One Shot Entertainment released the “Everything’s just Upps” EP.

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