Tamo J focusing on multiple music genres

Eccentric featured eight tracks recorded over rhythms that explored genres across the globe, a musical approach that, along with his image (also described as eccentric), created a buzz for the singer among the music fraternity.

Although Tamo J migrated to Jamaica at three years old with his mother, he said the cultural landscape of the United Kingdom is partially responsible for the tactic he uses with his music.

Added to that, his father, Wayne Allen, is popular within the music entertainment circle, being a disc jockey for one of London's leading live audio and video party stations, Flames Radio.

"Truth and in fact, that is how I got my name Tamo J," he said. "My father is DJ Tamo D, and persons soon began referring to me as 'Tamo Junior' and it was then abbreviated."

The 26-year-old singer-songwriter, whose given name is Dwight-Christopher Allen, told THE STAR that having observed the skills of his disc jockey father as he mixed tracks together, pushed him to learn the art of music production and piqued his interest in becoming the vocals behind the rhythms.

INSPIRED BY DAD 

"From that very first moment, I never stopped making music. My father's experience in the industry as well also inspired me to learn a great deal of what I know now," he said.

Music industry veterans from Mikey Bennett to Sean Paul and Beenie Man have worked with Tamo J on productions, employing his vocal and songwriting talents.

However, as an emerging entertainer, he is determined to press 'play' on his career and gain independence through the development of a strong catalogue of music.

"Even though I more than have the potential to succeed in the songwriting area, I am focused on improving the quality of my music and in doing so, share with the local audience who I want it to resonate with," he said. "Not excluding the influence of R&B music and the UK genres such as grime (a mixture of electronic dance music, dancehall and rap), I have taken a deliberate step to work on putting out more dancehall and reggae."

In the summer, the artiste pulled a musical hat-trick by releasing three singles consecutively - Oh Mama (Afrobeat), Caribbean Girl (reggae/dancehall) and the spiritual I Made It.

He is also working on a 30-track mixtape that "shows a balance, versatility and relevance of style" by incorporating the international sounds.