11-year-old rapper makes early start in Guyana’s music industry

With a zeal like no other, 11-year-old rapping sensation Damani Hardy is Guyana’s newest voice in the music arena.
Set to release his first single on March 1, this young man is a force to be reckoned with, due to his relatable lyrics and sensational voice.
Damani, a pupil of the St.Gabriel’s Primary School, told this week’s Buzz that his dream is to be a performer and rapper and with the help of his father Simeon Hardy, the inspiring artiste wrote and recorded his first single.

Sharing details about his song ‘pain’ which tells the story of the struggle of providing for one’s family, he said, “Well it’s about struggle and what other kids are going through and some kids’ parents can’t afford new school shoes for them and new school clothes and those kinds of things.”
The eager young man stated he is excited to be sharing his talents and to possibly be releasing even more music after he drops his first single.
“I want to keep making more music because I think it’s fun and I know people would like it so I just want to keep making more,” he explained.

Damani noted that he is also looking forward to performing his new song since it’s a habit for him to perform for his neighbours and friends within his neighbourhood, however, he noted that performing on a big stage like the artistes he looks up to is his ultimate goal.
“I would be kind of nervous, but I wouldn’t too nervous because it will feel great to go and perform at a concert. It will be fun and I like to watch other [performers] on stage,” he said.
Proud as a peacock, Damani’s father, Simeon told the Buzz that he exposed his son to music at an early age and would often take him to studio sessions while he, too, was pursuing a music career.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, his music career was not able to take off the way he had hoped. Nevertheless, he followed sports and academics.
After discovering his son’s interest in the art form, Simeon provided all the necessary means to ensure that his son is given a chance to pursue his dreams.
“I used to take him to the studio with me back then, and I always thought, if I couldn’t do it then maybe he could in ten years’ time. He is the one that I will be pushing, and now is that time, so this is something that I envisioned and I have all the resources to assist him,” the young musician’s father said.

Simeon stated that he has been working closely with his son, helping him to write and find his voice in the music world.
“It’s been fun speaking with him and brainstorming with him and I’m not cutting him out. I’m not telling him what he should do. I am giving him the options. It’s all about him and it’s all up to him,” he said. “I feel so proud and happy that he took the venture and the step to do it, because I didn’t force it on him. I told him to just do it for the experience and he liked it.”