DeeWunn: Trendsetter from Time and Still Making Waves

Written by Prezzy | Edited by Lesley Hayles

JamWeekly Magazine caught up with a trendsetter who is not only multitalented at making energetic bangers but continuously reinventing himself and buzzing across the globe. Meet the one and only Damone Walker, also known as the infamous DeeWunn, one of Spanish Town's finest to ever do it. Most will remember himformerly of the Bada Bada Gang from the legendary Ward 21 camp.

It is interesting to find out that his love of Hip-Hop aside from Reggae put him in the position to be a part of one of the first Rap crews to formulate in Jamaica called 13th Tribe where he worked on his craft and mastered his heavy flow while getting a steady handle on collaborating with different artists.

"In my opinion, the biggest collaboration I've had so far is with Iggy Azalea on my ‘Mek it Bunx Up (Remix)’. I was signed to Ministry of Sound, a sub level of Sony UK in 2018. Unfortunately, due to her fall outs with labels it was never officially released, but it was leaked and she performs it on most of her shows," explained DeeWunn.

Letting us know what keeps him motivated presently, DeeWunnenthusiastically mentioned, "I'd say my motivation right now is making people dance. I've now, at this point, gotten to see the power of the authentic grassroots sound of Dancehall music, with ‘dance’ being the operative word. The people that listen to me just wanna move to positive vibrations."

This Jamaican emcee, songwriter and performer migrated to Montreal, Canada in 2015 and has been labeled as a Dancehall revival from the genre’s greater fraternity. Stating his thoughts on this new generation of artists right now, DeeWunn expressed, "Present day Reggae and Dancehall doesn’t give me the ‘it’ feel. Imean, some of the newer stuff sounds ‘ok’ but one can hear the difference when in a party and the selectors play the older music, it’s a way different vibe. I don’t get an inspired feel from the newer Dancehall music in particular, if I’m to be honest."

Success has followed DeeWunn from the start and one can only imagine how life would be if things were different music-wise, but contrary to what most artists would say, he responds without hesitation, "To be honest I can’t say I'd do anything differently. Everything I've done musically has pretty much led me on a very colourful path for my journey. I’m proud of it all considering I’m a Jamaican rapper turned Dancehall artist."

DeeWunn feels it is vital to have a PR/Publicist to assist with gettingartist’s music out to the world so that the artist can focus on recording and performing music. His buzz heightened in Europe and Germany primarily because he makes music for dancing andinclusive of the appreciation of grassroots Reggae which keeps them engaged.

"I'm presently promoting my new album called “Banggaz” where I have 12 tracks laced with all club and party bangers released under Los Angeles record label, Waxploitation. So far, it has an impressive 3.6 million streams and counting and is available on all digital streaming platforms".

“Back It Up, Drop It” has garnered DeeWunn placements with Samsung, Fanta, SKII and Need For Speed: Heat. “Bad Man Party” in 2023, was self-produced and recently featured on the Canadian prime-time TV show Robyn Hood, directed by Director X, to mention a few of his accomplishments.

DeeWunn admitted that he has love for clash culture. "That lyrical competition is needed in this thing of ours, a battle of wits if u may. Though I’m a very lyrical artist, I don’t get involved in diss records. I personally mind my business and prefer to be a spectator to that side of the music, unless provoked." He goes on to mention no one is brave enough to look in his direction. "I am also a big fan of battle Rap. It's my sport and that's how I actually got my street cred as a young Hip-Hop artist in Jamaica."

"My personal advice to any upcoming artist is to BE DIFFERENT. It’s better to be recognizable for your own style and flow as opposed to trying to fit in using trending flows. Why fit in when you can stand out, make and leave a mark."

DeeWunn left us with an interesting spin on private life versus industry life. "It's not difficult maintaining a private life as I'm not really on social media unless I'm promoting my music. I'm a private person by nature and always championed keeping my two lives separate, my private life is for me and my music is for the world and thats how I keep it."

Speaking to JamWeekly Magazine on personal moments, DeeWunn opened up with a reflective vibe, "My lowest moment was long ago before I even recorded “Bunx Up”, when I handed a street DJ a CD of my then older music and watched him toss it in a pile of other CDs without even listening to it. I remember feeling both hurt and motivated at the same time. My greatest thus far was my first time on tour across Europe with my wife/manager where that whole trip was literally a dream come to reality that I hold dear to my heart to this day.