Interview: Dancehall Newcomer 450 Keeps It 100 On Hit Song ‘Imperfection’
Dancehall singer 450 is introspective in the music video for his latest single Imperfection, which finds him ruminating on the bad life choices that send him to the mountains with a firearm, pills, and thoughts of ending his life.
In the song, 450 confesses his deceitful and adulterous ways to the track’s producer — Week Day, of Tru Ambassador Entertainment. After sleeping with his best friend’s girl and cheating on his own girl, the Lennon High School old boy describes himself as a “f-cked up individual” who wishes he could talk to God “but mi nuh spiritual.”
The “chorus gad” later consoles himself that he’s far from perfect. “I guess it coulda worse. At least me nuh friend killa, or badmind. //People judge mi fi weh dem ah see online. Everybody have dem demons, ah just mankind,” he singjays. “But I’m at least mi honest. I’m just human, I’m not from a distant planet.”
It seems that kind of honesty and a unique flow has propelled the newcomer and his DamaniacVisualz music video to YouTube Trending in Jamaica, where it peaked at No. 5 last week.
So, DancehallMag caught up with the Kingston-born, Clarendon-raised Dancehall artist, whose real name is Tristen Escoffery, to chat about his new chune Imperfection, the story behind his name, and working with Tru Ambassador.
First off, why 450?
This a very common question. I got it after really brainstorming a name and wanting something that stands out. And I came up with the idea of naming myself with numbers rather than the traditional letters, but with that I wanted it to have a meaning and after brainstorming I thought about how I could turn my D.O.B into something. So from there, I came up with. 4 for the 4th month in the year, 5 for 5th of april, and 0 representing 450.
What inspired Imperfection?
Sad to say that song purely based on true events. What I sang in that song was just how I was feeling so after driving to the studio with Week Day he played the beat and asked me what I thought about it.
Instantly I knew the riddim was great, and feeling how I felt I just started to freestyle what was happening and got the chorus in about 5 minutes. After reaching the studio I wrote the verses in about an hour and recorded it right after.
You and that best friend still good?
We’ve passed it. We’re still friends.
How did you first get into dancehall?
I first got into Dancehall after recording my two first songs Bines A Fly and Size Ten which opened doors for working with labels such as Talk of the Town and Tru Ambassador, which recognized my talent and helped me in the development of my career.
What’s it like working with producers like Jahvy?
It is a great feeling seeing that he has been, and still is someone I look up to as a producer since high school days so getting the chance to work with him has definitely been a great feeling and so far he has contributed a lot of growth to 450’s career as a creative person musically and even as a mentor.
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
I would say modern-day Dancehall with edgy lyrics.
Imperfection currently stands at almost 300,000 views on YouTube since its release on June 6, 2021. Watch the visuals above.
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If you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide, then we encourage you to contact a local Suicide Prevention hotline, counselor, or mental health professional.