Kemar ‘Flim’ Martin |
In an era where it is so easy to create and release songs, only those with exceptional writing skills will stand the test of time. It is widely believed songwriting is about exhibiting anything or the first thing that comes to mind, complimented with rhymes, slurs and slangs that are usually trendy or catchy. But young singer/songwriter Kemar “Flim” Martin’s aim is to be different and recognized as one of his generation’s most outstanding artiste in reggae and dancehall. Although Flim believes he can accomplish his wishes singing and writing songs for any genre of his choice his focus is dancehall and reggae.
Born September 9, 1992 to a musically inclined family, Kemar Martin’s father played keyboard and was a member of a local church choir while other family members engaged in their respective church choirs or played various instruments. One cousin of his, Courtney Martin plays keyboard and work with reggae artistes Sizzla Kalonji and Capleton. Flim on the other hand, discovered he was a naturally talented singer/songwriter when he became a teen. He recalled his first encounter with any form of music activity was at a time when he participated and subsequently became a member of his local Sunday school choir, he also played drums.
Flim realized while in high school that he was passionate about writing music. He attended the prominent school of Kingston College and grew interested in writing short stories and poems. He would eventually learn how to incorporate his knowledge from writing stories and poem to writing songs. As Flim honed his skills he who often engaged in lyrical battles with his fellow schoolmates and subsequently called himself ‘Intalek.’
In the months preceding his tenure at school, Flim met members of a local recording company, Truckback Records who made him a part of their team and helped him shaped his career. He met several artistes, producers, selectors and other members of the Jamaican music industry. Flim worked alongside internationally recognized Producer Teetimus, known for his creative production of hit songs ‘affairs of the heart’ by Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley and ‘Bruk it Dung’ by Mr. Vegas. He personally assisted with the creation of the track, “Quint an Kotch” by local artiste New Kids and Baby Chris.
Kemar ‘Flim’ Martin |
Flim recorded a few songs that he uploaded to YouTube and got some positive feedback but his career altered September 2011 when he enrolled in the University of The West Indies to study Biochemistry. Well at least that’s what he taught, Flim became a member of the university’s UWI Steel Pan Orchestra and played drums. The band band performed at several events and he became fond of performing in front of a large audience. The experience and exposure was great and helped him to further develop his craft for him. Subsequently, Flim recorded a track called “Mass Murderer,” an impressive but controversial dancehall track aimed at evoking reaction from other dancehall artistes in the local industry. The track caught the attention of French dancehall producer Zaoundé of the Dirty Zone Production label whom Flim eventually recorded the track, ‘Maintain Culture‘ currently playing across various radio stations.
Kemar ‘Flim’ Martin currently resides in the United State of America. It was after he migrated to the U.S. that he decided to call himself FLIM. Engrossed in his music career, the 22 year old looks forward to releasing a few reggae/dancehall and acoustic freestyles. But his greatest conquest is to write a song in popular genres to include gospel, pop, country, rap, rnb , electro , soul, jazz and rock. Now that you have met him, he wants you to follow his career path. Flim music is fun, suggestive and taught provoking. He’s spontaneous and playful so fans should expect the unexpected.
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