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Laden - Working Hard

Info: ladenofficial@gmail.com

He was christened Okeefe Aarons but his peers call him LADEN. Yes, the same JIM LADEN from Rising Stars fame. Before Rising Stars Okeefe was just an ordinary kid who had no inkling that he would one day grace the stage. As he recollects, he developed the natural gift of ‘riding a rhythm” by just listening to beats and singing along.

He was born in Kingston and spent the first few years of his life in the volatile Payne Avenue area. However, circumstances dicted that his family migrate to the more peaceful community of Cheapside District in St. Elizabeth where he attended Littz All Age School. He later attended the Haile Selassie High School in Kingston.

As fate would have it his best friend Mark Richie (Gussie) succumbed to injuries sustained in a fatal car accident. This catastrophe heralded the “coming out” of the artistic side of Okeefe as it inspired him to pen his first song “Tribute”. This song was recorded and distributed to friends and sound systems. Nothing came of the song but it was the feedback, mostly encouragement which pushed him to start thinking seriously about a career as a DJ.

It was the year 2006 and the TVJ Rising Star Auditions was coming “to your town”. Of course, Laden trecked all the way to Negril to audition. Laden made history by becoming the first Top Ten DJ finalist in the competition. He was able to withstand seven grueling weeks of competition and critique from the judges. He admits that he was not bruised by Anthony Millers sometimes “brutally honest” criticisms.He stayed the course and remained focused. He has only benefitted from the Rising Stars experience.

Laden was bent on not fitting the talent competitor stereotype. He was now a household name. Armed with this new experience and popularity Laden launched his musical career. He recorded songs for the Shocking Vibes Label. He collaborated with Devonte on the song “The Theme Song” which was used to promote Cricket World Cup.

It was the summer of 2007 when Laden introduced himself to Stephen McGregor of Big Ship. This was to become the ulitimate experience of his young career. Laden was now hanging out with the movers and shakers in the business. From “Don’t you Like It” on the Chiney K rhythm, “Gal Coward” on the Day Breaks rhythm to his exclusive song “I’m Sorry” Laden has begun to cement his name in the big league.

It is 2013 and Laden has come of age… it’s his time to shine!

Laden - Working Hard

Laden Music