For years, Kibaki Halloway saw football as a possible career path. But that all changed when the conscious-minded singjay found that his true love was music.

Being one of the star players on the Dunoon Technical team which won the Manning and Walker Cup competition in 1998, many had thought he would continue in football and even make it to the national team.

When he decided to swap his boots for the microphone, most of his friends and family found it a difficult pill to swallow. But that did not stop him from toying with the idea of becoming a music star. He was even more inspired by the sudden rise of dancehall artiste Mavado.

"It (music) must be strong. Look, I have traded the boots for the microphone. Both music and football have a lot in common. They both have rhythms, timing and obstacles. Plus you have to keep shifting around," he said.

never serious

As with most artistes, Kibaki started singing in the Church, but was never serious about it because of his love for football. His path changed, however, when he met veteran dancehall act Bounty Killer in 1998. It is through Bounty that he has learnt valuable lessons about the music business.

"I linked up with Bounty Killer and it was him who really made it possible. The greatest knowledge he taught me was writing," he said of the deejay who is also credited with 'bussing' Mavado.

Kibaki's first studio effort came in the form of Dem Will, which was recorded on Sly and Robbie's Raw Food (formerly Bam Bam) rhythm in 2007. However his decision to align himself to Mavado's Gully Squad has given him increased exposure.

The 20-something singay, who grew up in Grant's Pen, St Andrew, with both parents Clover Walters and Albert Halloway,said he is unfazed by the pressure to be the next big thing from the Bounty-Mavado camp.

biggest intimidation

He believes his new singles, Money Mi A Pree and She Seh If Yuh Wah Love, recorded on Chimney Records' World Premiere rhythm, will do enough to cement his place in the minds of fans.

"I've never been intimidated. I don't think I will (be). Remember, I was a soccer player, and in that you can get one of the biggest intimidation. The future is very big and my desire is very big. I want to be a mega star and raise the banner of music through my songs," said the singjay, who now resides in Shortwood.

Currently, he's working with Rockstone Productions, which is based in Manhattan, New York, and is owned by fellow singjay Serani. He also has recorded Buss My Own on DASECA's 16 rhythm, which featured Mavado's Sixteen.

The father of two is confident he can be among dancehall's elite cadre in years to come and points to his wide knowledge and experiences as being the avenues he will use to ensure his success.

"I'm observant. Nobody is perfect. But, if I should sit here and tell you what I'm going to do in music, it would be an understatement," he said.