Bipolaaa believes he was born to do music

'I didn't choose music, music chose me' is a popular response persons give when asked why they decided to pursue careers as recording artistes.

Still, for up-and-coming artiste Bipolaaa, given name Fidel Rochester, no other phrase adequately summarised his calling. Describing music as part of his genetic make-up, he said he just could not resist the urge to entertain, and has been doing so since he was a child in Salt Spring, Montego Bay. For as long as he can remember, Bipolaaa, who is now based in the UK, has wanted to be a top dancehall artiste. That desire grew to unimaginable levels some three years ago when the entertainer decided to start making moves towards establishing himself professionally.

'Music Chose Me'

"It's the cookie-cutter answer, but music chose me, and I can only strengthen where I am strong. Music is in my DNA, I really believe that. That's the only way I can express the feeling I get when I am doing music. It can only be coming from a natural place for me to feel the way I do. I started off by playing a sound system from about age nine, and my talent came through the gift of freestyling," he told STAR on the Rise. "Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Vybz Kartel and the great Bob Marley are some of my inspirations; and so over the years I have been watching how they did this, studying how to make my own moves. I was waiting on the right time to really put what I learnt into action, and three years ago I felt like it was time."

The 35-year-old artiste, who has a single on YouTube that has amassed more than 100,000 views since making his professional debut, says he has been using that time to make the right musical connections, and believes he has found just that in popular manager Heavy D.

"I have been putting in the work because as an overseas-based artiste trying to make it in the dancehall industry, there can be a lot of challenges. The most challenging part of this journey so far was learning to market my music globally. International is where I am aiming and I believe with Heavy D's help, I can get there," he said. "I've already started to do well on streaming and globally. I am growing. This is the music industry. I know it's not going to be easy breaking out of the gate, but battles are here to fight and I am born to fight; and I fight to win."

Describing his sound as one that is smooth, full of clarity and melody, Bipolaaa revealed that having done some of the groundwork, his short-term goal is to return to Jamaica for a few years to get the promotional wheels on his career turning. If he happens to land a few collaborations with a few dancehall acts while doing so, the entertainer said that would be the proverbial icing on the cake. His long-term goal includes getting people from the top 100 countries who consume music to be singing his songs.

Fact Box:

1. If he wasn't doing music, he would be a professional football coach. He loves the game.

2. Favourite thing to do in his spare time is helping the homeless or spending quality family time.

3. Songs promoting right now: Porn Star Whine, Only One and Top Boy. His dream collaboration would be with Vybz Kartel or Sizzla.