A Shining Star,
The talented and versatile dark skin princess, Kaydean Byronesha Mantock, was born on December 29th in the lush green hills of Rosé Hill in the Community of Summerfield, Clarendon, Jamaica. Having been born on a cold December morning, her mission is to bring warmth, laughter, joy, and comfort to people the world over through music.
The Summerfield Basic and the Chappleton All Age Schools were the Bed Rock of her early education. While at the Chappleton All Age School,her talent for music was unearthed. There, she was privileged to sing at devotions, special events and on the school’s choir. In addition to singing, she was made a prefect as the administration discovered that she was endowed with strong leadership qualities.
As with many singers, the church had a great influence on her interest in music. During her childhood, she attended The Faith Temple Church of God where she had the opportunity to sing at Sunday schools, church services, concerts, and to represent the church at special events. Her family, having discovered that there were many Gospel Artists in the Chappleton Seventh Day Adventist Church, such as George Gordon, Jodian Pantry and others, she was also taken to that church on Saturdays by her aunt.
As an aspiring young singer, she would attend The George Gordon Album Launch on a regular basis, where she was able to observe professional artists performing. Upon returning home from each album launch, she drew pictures of herself singing and performing on stage. She would then place these drawings under the stars and made wishes of becoming a performing artist.
After spending thirteen (13) years in the parish of Clarendon with her mother, she went to live with her father in the parish of St. Thomas. While residing in St Thomas, she attended Seaforth High School, where her interest in a music career took on a more serious tone. She became a member of the school’s choir, sang for the school on various occasions at local and national events. Additionally, she was deputized on many occasions to represent the music teacher in her absence.
After high school, she continued to be active in music. She participated in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Festival of Arts (JCDC) in 2008 for which she was the recipient of three Silver medals. She participated again in 2009 and was awarded two gold medals, a first time accomplishment for anyone from the parish of St. Thomas.
She entered the Digicel “Rising Stars” competition on five different occasions. On the last occasion, she made it into the top three positions and into the Studio Finals. Even though, she did not win, the experience gave me confidence and the determination to pursue a career in music. The exposure gain on Rising Stars gave me the opportunities to perform harmonies from several well known artists. During a harmony session with Chicken Chest, he was so impressed with her work that he introduced me to his producer and co-founder of Jafrika Records, Trevor Clarke who was so impressed with her work he decided to work with me.
