Aidonia

Pic: dancehallusa.com

                         
BIOGRAPHY

 "Lyrically inclined" in Dancehall Reggae parlance is a phrase reserved for only those Deejays with the kind of lyrical dexterity that most artists can only ever dream of. Aidonia is one of that select few. His trademark delivery is a break-neck speed staccato that sounds like so many lyrical bullets designed to directly penetrate your cranium.

Born Sheldon Aitana Lawrence on April 6, 1981, Aidonia is the second of four children to his mother a teacher, and his father an ex-soldier. Originally from the Red Hills Road area of Kingston, he took his stage name from the first two letters in his middle name 'Aitana', and 'Donia', was earned while playing football.

After watching a tape of 'Sting' 1993 featuring the infamous clash between arch rivals Beenie Man, and his own personal inspiration, Bounty Killer, Aidonia knew exactly where his destiny lay. As you would as a prepubescent Dancehall fan in Kingston's inner cities, Aidonia soon began re-enacting the clash for classmates and friends, many of whom recognised his musical talent even at this early age.

Falling into the wrong company he was expelled from school and relocated to the United States with his father, where he worked for FedEx for three years. Still visiting Jamaica regularly, he recorded a few underground hits on the dancehall circuit in New York.

 On one of these sojourns to Jamaica in October 2003 he met Mr. G (then known as Goofy) and recorded his first single 'Many a Dem' on Goofy's Young Blood label. Soon after, he began working with Rod Pinnock of Orizen Entertainment. A year later, Aidonia was approached by Cordell ‘Skatta' Burrell to record at his studio. The result was "Lolly" on the Irish Dance riddim – Aidonia’s first bona fide dancehall hit! Subsequently licenced to VP Records for inclusion on Strictly The Best 33 it signalled the beginning of a run of Dancehall smashes that would include ‘Chicken Head’, ‘Prayer’, ‘Inna Di Ghetto’, ‘Ukku Bit’, and ‘Kingfish Ah Come’. He would also fulfil a lifetime ambition by recording the duet ‘Sen Fi Dem’ with Bounty Killer.

 By now Di- di- di- di- di- di-Donia had met Vybz Kartel one of those “lyrically inclined” individuals feted earlier who in turn introduced him to his mentor, Bounty Killer. Aidonia was now a member of Bounty’s Alliance. However differences between Aidonia and fellow Alliance member, Busy Signal, caused a rift in the crew which some have opined had a hand in planting the seeds of the infamous Gully & Gaza feud between Vybz Kartel & Mavado.

When Vybz Kartel split from The Alliance Aidonia was linked with the new entity, Portmore Empire when he recorded ‘Addi A Mi Daddy’, a thinly veiled swipe at his inspiration, Bounty Killer.

Fast forward a couple of years and Aidonia has started his own Jag One Productions (J.O.P.) featuring the likes of Deablo & Navino. Had a brush with the law (‘Buss Gun Charge’) and is a mainstay at Stephen McGregor’s Big Ship hit factory.

The hits like ‘Hundred Stab’, ‘We A Tek It Off’ and ‘Bubble N Tun’ show no sign of abating. Touring the world and notching up collaborations and Remixes with the likes of Dipset, Tarrus Riley, Lord Kossity, Ciara, Kano, Crazy Cousins & Wiley, Aidonia’s star is still in the ascendance. It’s now only a matter of time before the world at large gets a proper taste of what happens when ‘Bad People’ deh bout – You gots to MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!!!  

Aidonia European Tour Schedule February 2012

1^st –  Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – Cassiopeia Club, Berlin, Germany

2^nd – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – Waagenbau, Hamburg, Germany

3^rd – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 –  Amazon club – Orleans, France

4^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – Dancefloor Club, Toulouse, France

8^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – GK, Stockholm, Sweden

9^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – , Baba Club, Pescara, Italy

10^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – Club Obama, Lyon, France

11^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – Acropole, Paris, France

12^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – Jamrock, Barcelona, Spain

14^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – Reigen Club, Wien, Austria

16^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – , Brancaleone, Rome, Italy

17^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – King Palace, Bordeaux, France

18^th – Aidonia @ European Tour 2012 – Zoom Club, Montpelier, France