11 September 2026
With the release of his long-awaited debut album ‘Live Life and Prosper’, D’Yani is stepping into a new chapter of his career. The Jamaican artist has spent years developing a sound rooted in reggae and dancehall while becoming known for his distinctive voice and his honest approach to love, relationships and life.
For D’Yani, music has been a lifelong journey. From releasing his first song as a teenager to spending years writing and recording the music that would eventually become ‘Live Life and Prosper’, he has continued to evolve without losing sight of the sounds and culture that shaped him.
Now, with the album finally out and D’Yani travelling internationally to promote it, we caught up with him to talk about the project, his journey and what comes next.
Congratulations for the album! I know you’re travelling around the world to promote ‘Live Life and Prosper’ right now, so I’m just curious – where are you having this conversation from?
Thank you so much. I just landed in Jamaica early last night. We’re preparing for the album launch in Jamaica. We did the launch in New York on Monday. We had some PR, promo and radio runs (in New York), so yeah, we just reached Jamaica now.
What made you want to go down the reggae path for this album?
I’ve always been a fan of reggae music and dancehall music. Most people try to categorise you or lead you in some way, some shape or form or aspect. However, I’m just a child of the culture, you know? We’ve been influenced by Shabba Ranks, Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton. I’m just the byproduct of listening to this music. So it wasn’t even a decision, I just love making music and reggae music is one of the musics I love making. Dancehall is also.
‘Live Life and Prosper’ is a project that wraps up 8 years of work. How did you manage to find the bridge between the sound that you had 8 years ago and your current sound?
First of all, massive respect to Remus because as you said, I’ve recorded and written some music that is like almost a decade old and Remus was the one that changed the instrumentals, changed the sound and the soundscape of these poems or these songs that were done years ago. I also need to give a massive respect to the players of instruments and backing singers who helped craft the project.
What is the oldest song on the album and what is the newest one?
Let’s start with the newest one, “Jah Has Been too Good”. I think the oldest one is between “Dutchpot” and “Blooming”, which is about eight years old.
You released your first ever song called “Lovers Go” in 2010 in Jamaica. Now, 16 years later, you’re releasing your debut album on the international stage. What’s some of your favourite parts of this long journey?
Wow, that’s crazy. Yeah, I was about 14 that time. My favourite experience is actually just starting music, to be honest. Just being brave enough to do music. I’ve enjoyed every up, every down, every side, every lateral movement. It has been really good to me and I can’t complain. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve matured a lot as well, vocally as well as mentally. So it has been a really great experience in every aspect of the journey.
Let’s talk about your tour…
So we’re preparing a tour for the project to touch the cities that have been supporting me. So you know, London, the Birminghams, the Manchesters, to the New York Cities, the West Coast, a couple Caribbean islands as well and then obviously Jamaica. Europe as well for 2027.
When are we gonna see you in London again?
I should be in London in a few months, probably December. I have an extra room for the project as well, so I should be back here soon.
As you mentioned, you started your journey in high school and I know that your journey started because one of your friends encouraged you to go studio and record a song because they thought you had a unique voice. And I was just wondering if this friend is still part of your journey now?
Yeah! Definitely, definitely, definitely. We have still been doing music. Actually, I called him recently, congratulating him about the projects and the success in his career. We still work closely, we’re still doing music together. The people who have been on the journey from that point are still on the journey, nonetheless.
So your friend actually went to pursue music as well, just from a business point of view.
Well yeah, actually. He didn’t pursue it as an artist. He pursued it as an A&R and also as a soundscape designer.
That means you were his first artist basically, if you put it that way.
Yes, I literally was his first artist. Literally.
What would you say was a turning point for you on this journey?
Literally after college, you know. I fully dived into music 100%, no option B, no option C. It was literally just music. I was literally dedicating my 24 hours to music and that was a turning point when I was absolutely serious about music. There was no other distraction. There was no other motivation other than music and this is where I am now because of that.
Tell me, why is love at the centre of your universe?
Because I’m a product of love. My grandmother showed me an enormous amount of love and my mother as well. So yeah, I was always inspired by love. Jamaican artists also influenced me musically, from Dennis Brown to Jah Cure to Gyptian, you know. Obviously, you have cultural music and conscious music, which I’m also doing. However, this was always my focal point in terms of singing and writing.
When you talk about love, you talk a lot about women, relationships and past experiences that eventually ended. How come you never gave up on love?
Because the world didn’t give up on love. Obviously, we are still being born, you know. People are still being produced and all that being said (laughs). But yeah, I think love is infinite for me and regardless, I’m a lover of love. So I was never a person that would be deterred. I’m always a person that is not only strong-willed but very strong-minded, you know? So that was always a part of my nature. And with love, it takes time, it takes effort and it takes understanding so I wasn’t forgetting or forsaking love. Never.
How do you deal with heartbreak?
Time is the master for every heartbreak. Everything you know has to go through the passage of time and that was one of my living lessons: patience and time.
If you ever had to do something else for a living, what would it be?
D’Yani: There’ll definitely be something in music. Either make instrumentals or be a producer, yeah, whatever it may be. I always love music. I always love talents. Always love a good voice. Always love a good song and a good melody. So definitely something with music.
And outside of music?
Probably something with my degree! (laughs)
What are your hobbies?
D’Yani: River. I like going to the river to decompress, especially after a performance or especially after a hard day of work, a hard week of work. Also, I’m a big fan of football. I like playing football. I play football every chance I get, as long as the opportunity’s there, you know. I love doing that. Those are my two main hobbies. I like reading as well, depending on the book. But yeah, those are my favourite hobbies.
Speaking of books, what book would you recommend?
“Let Be”. It’s a new book that I recently started reading. It’s a book about letting people be themselves, letting life be itself and not trying to force or create a narrative, because at the end of the day, you can’t control every aspect of life and every happening is not necessarily going to be in your favour, you understand? So that’s a book I’m really currently reading now. Really good book.
What’s your favourite thing in the world right now?
Life.
What’s your favourite food?
Brown stew fish and festival.
What message do you have for your future self in 10 years’ time?
Just keep living and living life and being prosperous in every aspect of it. You know, emotionally, physically, mentally, just always aim for prosperity.
Do you have any message for your fans in London?
Yeah man, live life and prosper. L L A P!
Words by Andra Cee