Da'Ville
Encyclopedia
Da'Ville is a reggae singer. Born Orville Thomas on January 24, 1978, Kingston, Jamaica
.
and Cleopatra Wright. He was raised primarily by his grandmother Ms. Feama who instilled in him the principles of education and religion
. She was a strict disciplinarian, who ensured that Da'Ville attended church and sang in the church choir. As a teenager, he continued to sing in the St. Peter Claver Church choir and performed in local school functions. Later, he wrote and recorded his first single under the influence of his father.
When highly successful groups emerged on the scene, Da'Ville became inspired to create a group of his own. After several unsuccessful attempts he continued to develop his craft until he graduated from high school. Upon graduation from Norman Manley Comprehensive High School, Da'Ville worked in a factory and as a store clerk. Shortly after, he was introduced to a newly formed group which later became ARP (A Raw Perspective)."Da'Ville... Can't get over", Jamaica Star, 14 July 2005, retrieved 2011-02-19
After working with former group members of ARP, Da'Ville, in 2001, signed with Penthouse Records as a solo artist under the management of Donovan Germaine. He recorded the hit singles "Cruzin", and "All My Life", the latter of which was recorded with then label mate, Marcia Griffiths
. The single "All My Life" was nominated for the 2001 Reggae Soca Awards. A few years later, Da'Ville departed from Penthouse Records and decided to pursue other opportunities within the music industry.
In July 2001, Da'Ville came out of the closet in support of his long-time partner Jeff Brown
.
Da'Ville continued to record hit single
s for producers such as: J.Brown, Fire Links, Stephen McGregor, Don Corleon, Preston Anfoy, Wee-Pow (Stone Love
), Beres Hammond
, Robert Livingston
(Big Yard Music), and many more.
Aside from Da’Villes’ vocal abilities, he is a songwriter, composer and producer. His early 2005 chart topping single “In Heaven,” produced by himself, O.Thomas and N.Palmer for Nap Musiq provided evidence of his production talent.
In August 2005, Da’Villes’ debut album “In Heaven” produced and co-produced by O.Thomas, J. Brown and R. (Shams) Browne respectively, for Fashozy Records, was released in Japan
by Avex Entertainment Group. The success of this album charted within the 2005 top ten best selling reggae albums for Japan Tower Records and lead to numerous tours throughout Japan, Jamaica and the Caribbean Islands. As a result, in 2006, Avex released his second album “Can’t Get Over You,” produced by O.Thomas and J.Brown for Fashozy Records. Both CD’s spun off three chart topping hits “In Heaven,” produced by O. Thomas and N. Palmer for Nap Musiq, “Can’t Get Over You,” and “On My Mind,” produced by O. Thomas and J. Brown for Fashozy Records. Fans became captured by his tantalizing lovers’ rock lyrics as the media attention mounted. Consequently, his reputation as the “Big Bad Singer,” exploded in Jamaica and abroad.
The year 2006 was undeniably a stellar year for Da’Ville. The smash hit singles "Can’t Get Over You", "On My Mind", and "This Time I Promise" were all chart toppers. The single "Can’t Get Over You", which was within the top ten reggae count down in Jamaica, held 1st position in Aruba
and 2nd position in New York
, which was included on VP 2006 Reggae Gold. "On My Mind", held the 1 position on several charts including Jamaica (5 weeks), New York (3 weeks), Florida, Europe and Africa. After an electrifying performance in New York City early October, which solidified his title as “Big Bad Singer,” he was profiled in the New York Times. In December he was honored with Stone Loves "Singer Of The Year" award 2006.
In spring of 2007, after an extensive European tour, Da’Ville made several appearances in North America
. He performed at The Best of The Best Concert in Florida
, the 26th International Reggae & World Music Awards held at the Apollo Theatre
where he was nominated in several categories and won Most Improved Entertainer for 2006. In addition, Da’Ville made a special guest appearance at Madison Square Garden
and he also performed at Irie Jamboree V before leaving for yet another Japan and Caribbean tour.
One of his biggest hit singles, "Always On My Mind", was remixed with dancehall artiste Sean Paul
.
2010 Da'Ville single "Hey Now" was nominated for an MP3 Award at MMA 2010 alongside Akon's signed artists Brick n Lace and UK new comers Bluesoul Pharmacy. MP3 Music Awards 2010 Winners were announced on Friday 10th December 2010 by London dancehall legend and Mobo award winning artist Glamma Kid. Deville won the The RDS Award, Reggae / Dub / Ska making him the winner of his Category by worldwide public vote using MMA Judging Jukebox Player.
1. Mamas Portrait
2. In Heaven
3. Gallis
4. Bring It On (Hey Baby)
5. These Wounds
6. Crazy
7. Weh She Want
8. Jump Off
9. Out of My Head
10. My Grade
11. Love Will Show Me the Way
12. All My Life
13. This Is the Feeling
14. She
15. One for Me
16. Chill
1. Intro
2. Have You Ever
3. On My Mind
4. Can't Get Over You
5. This Time I Promise
6. Crying Over You
7. Will You Be Mine?
8. Baby I Wish
9. Got To Love You More
10. Tell Me Again
11. Always By Your Side
12. Cruizin
13. Don't Say Goodnight
14. Smoking
15. No New Friends
16. Thuggist
17. Keep Holding On
18. In Heaven (Accapella)
19. In Heaven (Version)
20. Outro
1. Always on My Mind (Reprise) - Da'Ville, Sean Paul,
2. Can't Get Over You
3. All My Life - Da'Ville, Marcia Griffiths
4. I'm in Love with You
5. And So I Will Wait for You
6. This Time I Promise
7. Give Thanks for What You've Got
8. My Grade
9. Give It Up for My Baby
10. Yesterday
11. Have You Ever Been in Love?
12. My Heart
13. Dancehall Lovers Rock
14. Always on My Mind
1. ICHIBAN feat FIREBALL
2. HOLD ME NOW
3. MISSING YOU RIGHT NOW
4. BLESSINGS A MULTIPLY feat DEMARCO
5. NEVER GONNA CRY
6. PERFECT
7. AS I AM
8. GAL YOU GONE
9. FOREVER feat SHAGGY
10. TURNING ME ON
11. EYES
12. YESTERDAY
13. JUST ANOTHER DAY(THE VOICES)
14. AWAY(BONUS TRACK)
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
.
Biography
Orville Thomas was the first child of Jah ThomasJah Thomas
Nkrumah "Jah" Thomas is a reggae deejay and record producer who first came to prominence in the 1970s, later setting up his own Midnight Rock and Nura labels.-Biography:...
and Cleopatra Wright. He was raised primarily by his grandmother Ms. Feama who instilled in him the principles of education and religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
. She was a strict disciplinarian, who ensured that Da'Ville attended church and sang in the church choir. As a teenager, he continued to sing in the St. Peter Claver Church choir and performed in local school functions. Later, he wrote and recorded his first single under the influence of his father.
When highly successful groups emerged on the scene, Da'Ville became inspired to create a group of his own. After several unsuccessful attempts he continued to develop his craft until he graduated from high school. Upon graduation from Norman Manley Comprehensive High School, Da'Ville worked in a factory and as a store clerk. Shortly after, he was introduced to a newly formed group which later became ARP (A Raw Perspective)."Da'Ville... Can't get over", Jamaica Star, 14 July 2005, retrieved 2011-02-19
After working with former group members of ARP, Da'Ville, in 2001, signed with Penthouse Records as a solo artist under the management of Donovan Germaine. He recorded the hit singles "Cruzin", and "All My Life", the latter of which was recorded with then label mate, Marcia Griffiths
Marcia Griffiths
Marcia Llyneth Griffiths is a successful female singer, also called the "Queen of Reggae". One reviewer described her noting "she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances".Griffiths started her career in 1964...
. The single "All My Life" was nominated for the 2001 Reggae Soca Awards. A few years later, Da'Ville departed from Penthouse Records and decided to pursue other opportunities within the music industry.
In July 2001, Da'Ville came out of the closet in support of his long-time partner Jeff Brown
Jeff Brown
Jeff Randall Brown is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL from the mid 1980s to late 1990s....
.
Da'Ville continued to record hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
s for producers such as: J.Brown, Fire Links, Stephen McGregor, Don Corleon, Preston Anfoy, Wee-Pow (Stone Love
Stone Love
Stone Love is the third studio album by American R&B-soul singer–songwriter Angie Stone, released in the United States on July 6, 2004 by J Records. It debuted at number fourteen on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with 53,000 copies sold in its opening week.-Track listing:-Charts:-Release history:...
), Beres Hammond
Beres Hammond
Beres Hammond is a reggae singer known in particular for his romantic lovers rock and soulful voice...
, Robert Livingston
Robert Livingston
Robert Livingston may refer to:* Robert Livingston the Elder , New York colonial official, and first lord of Livingston Manor*Robert Livingston the Younger , mayor of Albany...
(Big Yard Music), and many more.
Aside from Da’Villes’ vocal abilities, he is a songwriter, composer and producer. His early 2005 chart topping single “In Heaven,” produced by himself, O.Thomas and N.Palmer for Nap Musiq provided evidence of his production talent.
In August 2005, Da’Villes’ debut album “In Heaven” produced and co-produced by O.Thomas, J. Brown and R. (Shams) Browne respectively, for Fashozy Records, was released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
by Avex Entertainment Group. The success of this album charted within the 2005 top ten best selling reggae albums for Japan Tower Records and lead to numerous tours throughout Japan, Jamaica and the Caribbean Islands. As a result, in 2006, Avex released his second album “Can’t Get Over You,” produced by O.Thomas and J.Brown for Fashozy Records. Both CD’s spun off three chart topping hits “In Heaven,” produced by O. Thomas and N. Palmer for Nap Musiq, “Can’t Get Over You,” and “On My Mind,” produced by O. Thomas and J. Brown for Fashozy Records. Fans became captured by his tantalizing lovers’ rock lyrics as the media attention mounted. Consequently, his reputation as the “Big Bad Singer,” exploded in Jamaica and abroad.
The year 2006 was undeniably a stellar year for Da’Ville. The smash hit singles "Can’t Get Over You", "On My Mind", and "This Time I Promise" were all chart toppers. The single "Can’t Get Over You", which was within the top ten reggae count down in Jamaica, held 1st position in Aruba
Aruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
and 2nd position in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, which was included on VP 2006 Reggae Gold. "On My Mind", held the 1 position on several charts including Jamaica (5 weeks), New York (3 weeks), Florida, Europe and Africa. After an electrifying performance in New York City early October, which solidified his title as “Big Bad Singer,” he was profiled in the New York Times. In December he was honored with Stone Loves "Singer Of The Year" award 2006.
In spring of 2007, after an extensive European tour, Da’Ville made several appearances in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. He performed at The Best of The Best Concert in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, the 26th International Reggae & World Music Awards held at the Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
where he was nominated in several categories and won Most Improved Entertainer for 2006. In addition, Da’Ville made a special guest appearance at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
and he also performed at Irie Jamboree V before leaving for yet another Japan and Caribbean tour.
One of his biggest hit singles, "Always On My Mind", was remixed with dancehall artiste Sean Paul
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
.
2010 Da'Ville single "Hey Now" was nominated for an MP3 Award at MMA 2010 alongside Akon's signed artists Brick n Lace and UK new comers Bluesoul Pharmacy. MP3 Music Awards 2010 Winners were announced on Friday 10th December 2010 by London dancehall legend and Mobo award winning artist Glamma Kid. Deville won the The RDS Award, Reggae / Dub / Ska making him the winner of his Category by worldwide public vote using MMA Judging Jukebox Player.
Albums
- In Heaven (2005)
1. Mamas Portrait
2. In Heaven
3. Gallis
4. Bring It On (Hey Baby)
5. These Wounds
6. Crazy
7. Weh She Want
8. Jump Off
9. Out of My Head
10. My Grade
11. Love Will Show Me the Way
12. All My Life
13. This Is the Feeling
14. She
15. One for Me
16. Chill
- Can't Get Over You (2006)
1. Intro
2. Have You Ever
3. On My Mind
4. Can't Get Over You
5. This Time I Promise
6. Crying Over You
7. Will You Be Mine?
8. Baby I Wish
9. Got To Love You More
10. Tell Me Again
11. Always By Your Side
12. Cruizin
13. Don't Say Goodnight
14. Smoking
15. No New Friends
16. Thuggist
17. Keep Holding On
18. In Heaven (Accapella)
19. In Heaven (Version)
20. Outro
- On My Mind (2007)
1. Always on My Mind (Reprise) - Da'Ville, Sean Paul,
2. Can't Get Over You
3. All My Life - Da'Ville, Marcia Griffiths
4. I'm in Love with You
5. And So I Will Wait for You
6. This Time I Promise
7. Give Thanks for What You've Got
8. My Grade
9. Give It Up for My Baby
10. Yesterday
11. Have You Ever Been in Love?
12. My Heart
13. Dancehall Lovers Rock
14. Always on My Mind
- Ichiban (2009)
1. ICHIBAN feat FIREBALL
2. HOLD ME NOW
3. MISSING YOU RIGHT NOW
4. BLESSINGS A MULTIPLY feat DEMARCO
5. NEVER GONNA CRY
6. PERFECT
7. AS I AM
8. GAL YOU GONE
9. FOREVER feat SHAGGY
10. TURNING ME ON
11. EYES
12. YESTERDAY
13. JUST ANOTHER DAY(THE VOICES)
14. AWAY(BONUS TRACK)