Charly Black - Contributed

For dancehall artiste Desmond Mendez, life was never a bed of roses growing up.

He says thanks to his aunt, who sent him to school with the limited resources at their disposal.

This, he says, she did by selling kerosene oil. Sometimes, he went to school, other times, he didn't not because he did not want to, but because he just couldn't afford it.

"Growing up, life did rough," Mendez told The STAR. He emphasises this point in his new song Rich This Year, done on the Coppershot Productions label.

Humble

In the song he says:

"One shoe mi have pon mi feet, guh to church, guh to school, if a Christmas a it mi a beat."

The artiste says that based on the response from the public, he knows his music is connecting with the people.

"I am very humbled because growing up was rough, and now I am able to afford things that were not available to me then. I am loving the response from the supporters," Mendez told The Star.

The artiste also has several projects working on, including a video shoot for the song Campaign Against Badmind.

Badmind

Mendez teamed up with long-time friend and fellow deejay Michael Grant on the song.

Grant, who sings under the alias Mikeylous, says the song is directed at persons who are jealous of their achievements and those who don't wish to see them succeed.

"Well, people badmind yuh fi di things dem wha yuh achieve, not to mention seh badmind a contribute to the level a crime not just inna Jamaica, but globally," he said.

"Wi a push it fi get a number 1. Right now, it's getting a lot of airplay," he added.

The video, will be shot between St Mary, Ocho Rios and Trelawny on Saturday. Real Flex Productions from Linstead will be conducting the shoot.