Toronto-based Dancehall artist Fokus has just released his latest single, “Natural Beauty”. For those not initiated, Fokus’ keenly clever lyrics and innate talent for spitting rhymes have gained him the attention and respect deserved for his well-crafted musical offerings. Having spent 6 years injecting himself into the culture of Latin dance, mastering Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue dance, Fokus has become determined more than ever to highlight and showcase the music of the West Indies and Latin America.

We had a chance to catch up with Fokus as part of our Refrain Muisc Interview Series.

RMB: You have a new single out. Tell us about it?

FOKUS: My new single is called “Natural Beauty.” I’ve professionally filmed a Music Video for this specific single, as well as several dance and cinematic visuals.

RMB: What’s the single about?

FOKUS: It sends the message to my listeners, specifically females, that there is no richer beauty than that of what they were born with. No artificial cover-up, surgery, or extension can beat the appearance of a woman who is comfortable in her own natural skin, complexion and unique God given features.

RMB: What’s the story on how it was recorded?

FOKUS: The concept of writing my song, “Natural Beauty” was based on my long-standing preference of just that, the natural beauty of a woman. I felt the urge to write the song about this preference, due to the uprising trend of women who’ve been giving into the artificial beauty addiction. I wanted to remind women that a real man will be attracted to the body they have been uniquely given from birth. I’d rather fall in love with the naked truth.

The single was the work of myself as the singer and songwriter, along with the beat production by Yeong Le Chino. It was mixed and mastered by Milan D’Agostini (founder of Music By Milano). I had actually recorded it in Yeong’s brand new studio that he had renovated for recording services, called Studio Avenue. Yeong is a long standing family friend of mine. I came to him to record this track just before Christmas of 2021, because I knew that I had a lot more work to prepare around it such as the music video and the marketing plan.

I am currently a sole proprietor for my brand, so everything creative and business wise falls on me, which I had been ready for. The recording session was lengthy this time. I am very keen on making sure I send the right emotion through certain melodies, whether my vocals should be more “airy” or “bold” at certain times. I want my viewers to feel what I feel when I sing my messages, opinions and stories. I always love the process of recording the harmonizing vocals.

My brother (from another mother) and promo photographer on hand, Ramiro Caceres had attended the recording session. He is also a family friend of Yeong Le Chino. We all grew up together in Toronto. So ideas were thrown around within the session of how I should deliver my vocals, especially in the harmonizing adlibs. It took some time to figure out how to end off the song, however as soon as I sang (randomly), “yuh dun know, mi nah need fi tell yuh so,” I saw both of them on the other side of the booth glass literally jumping off the walls shouting, “that’s IT! The song is DONE!” They were so animated, it was hilarious.

RMB: Is it part of a larger album? If so, tell us about that.

FOKUS: Yes, this single is part of a larger album that may be releasing end of this year 2022. However the schedule may change due to projects with other producers coming up this year. I have 4 more singles lined up to release this year. All I can tell you is two of them will be Soca based, and two of them will be Reggaeton/Dancehall fusion based.

RMB: How does this single differ from your previous work?

FOKUS: This single differs from my previous work in a way that I organized the marketing plan a bit better in order to outreach to a broader audience. I am always making improvements creatively and business wise for every new music project. This single had exposed more of my vocal range than any of my other songs. This is why I wanted to make this release bigger than I ever made a release; to show listeners my
versatility not only with my vocals and melodies, however also with my flow and rhythm creativity.

RMB: Tell us a little bit about yourself. When did you start pursuing music?

FOKUS: I grew up in a very musical household filled with genres of Caribbean music, Pop as well as Soul. My parents are big fans of these genres. Being the first born sibling, I had grasped a lot of my parent’s native cultures that they brought with them to Canada. My mother is from Jamaica and my father is from Trinidad. My family’s ancestry ranges widely of European, afro and native blood due to Caribbean
history evolving from a broad variety of cultures, hence my complexion being uncommon.

I started pursuing music in my junior year of high school. I started with rapping and then eventually singing in my grade 10 year. I was part of an urban music group in high school, promoting our music to the student body. In my mid 20s in 2015, I began experimenting with recording my music and adding a Caribbean flavour with my knowledge of patois. I had always wanted to incorporate this part of me in
my music from young, due to my family life and preference of Caribbean genres I enjoyed listening and dancing to. I unfortunately didn’t see the value that this part of me would bring to my musical creativity until later in my life. I’m placing all my cards on the table now.

RMB: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

FOKUS: Definitely the artists that I identify myself with, such as Dancehall artists; Sean Paul, Notch, Rupee, Kevin Lyttle, Red Rat, Shaggy, Wayne Wonder and Mr. Vegas.

I am also influenced highly by Reggae artists; Collie Buddz, Chronixx, Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, Damian Marley and Skip Marley.

Local artists from Toronto most definitely are Snow, Kardinal Offishall, Drake, The Weeknd and Tory Lanez. Pop and R&B artists that I continuously analyze are Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Mario and Trey Songz.

RMB: What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

FOKUS: So far, I am most proud of all of my music projects I have successfully executed and distributed throughout this pandemic. That being “Missed Call,” “Sweet Tooth” and “Natural Beauty.” It keeps getting better. I am making sure of it.

RMB: If you had to pitch your music to a potential fan in less than 10 seconds, what would you say?

FOKUS: Dance, Love, unity, the standard of monogamy, and intense riddim. Come check me if you are ready for addictive “feel-good” Dancehall music.

RMB: What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that you think everyone needs to hear or that has meant the most to you?

FOKUS: “We are only half awake. We are making use of only a small part of our physical and mental resources. Stating the thing broadly, human individuals thus live far within their limits. They possess powers of various sorts which they habitually fail to use.” – William James (read in Dale Carnegie’s “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.”)

RMB: If you could go back in time, what’s a piece of advice you would give to a younger you?

FOKUS: Listen to yourself over all advice or opinions given. Take no advice, but rather seek advice only. Your gut knows what’s best for you over everybody, including loved ones. Listen to your gut over everyone and everything. Know yourself.

RMB: What’s coming up next for your musical project?

FOKUS: I will be releasing 4 more singles this year; two Soca tracks and two Reggaeton/Dancehall fusion tracks. I am planning to also arrange to organize at least one more music video with marketing plan, this year.

RMB: What does your music represent to you?

FOKUS: Most definitely Dance, True Love, unity and most importantly monogamous standards. I’ve listened to Caribbean music long enough to realize that more so now than ever, especially in Dancehall, the normalization of talking freely about violence, disrespect for women and adultery is becoming more common. I understand that many artists especially in Dancehall come from backgrounds that are saturated with these life circumstances, which cause them to create music about it and to an extent,
influence newer generations to see it as a normal way of life and a trending way of life. I see this as wrong and destructive to the youth and their mental development.

Coming from Caribbean parents that have remained loyal to each other, I cannot help but notice that for such a loved culture and genre around the world, the continuation of this trend in Dancehall will eventually cause more pain and
distortion for generations to come. This doesn’t mean I will become a Christian Dancehall artist, however we can still sing about intimacy and sexual desires for each other in a monogamous nature. Children of the Caribbean community and all communities that admire Caribbean culture deserve to grow up in households that demonstrate loyalty, true love and integrity between one another, so that they can have a foundation to properly carry on tradition. And it all starts from major industries that influence human nature, such as music, especially dance music. I intend on making monogamy in Caribbean music trend once again.

RMB: Anything we haven’t thought of that you want to talk about? Now is the time!

FOKUS: I believe I’ve summed up everything. Big respect for featuring me on your blog. Stay Fokused.

Connect With Fokus:

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SOUNDCLOUD   /   TIKTOK   /   BANDCAMP