Da'Ville

Da'Ville was born Orville Thomas on January 24, 1978, in Kingston, Jamaica, the first child of Nkrumah Thomas 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).

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 Way" 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.

Da'Ville continued to record hit singles 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 newly released “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.

His biggest hit single to date is "Always On My Mind", which is a duet with Sean Paul.

Albums

In Heaven
On My Mind