“Delroy! Delroy! Delroy!”-the song seems to be blasting across the airwaves these days. Whether it’s on the radio or from the sound system, the reactions are the same – they love it! DYCR has somehow managed to delve into the psyche of those who are experiencing the very thing he is chanting about.

But it’s not accidental; Delroy ‘DYCR’ Chandler will be the first to tell you that he is writing from experience. According to him, he has had his struggles and his materials are derived from them, and the rest from his observance of the system or through the experience of others.

Believe it or not, this dub poet started out wanting to sing! He says while his voice was “not so bad,” his friends would tell him that, “I was either running away from the riddim or the riddim was running away from me!” Realizing he wasn’t going to make it in the singing world, DYCR turned his attention to poetry writing and recital. While attending the Temple Hall New Testament Church of God, he had a chance to show what he could do at the youth group’s FTH – a forum where he could display his talent. DYCR recalled doing a poem called “She Fi Come” and according to him, “it wreck the place.” He said even the pastor was laughing his head off. His brethren encouraged him to think seriously about dub poetry, telling him about Mutabaruka, and that he could do the same. It was then that DYCR resolved that he would make a career of it. He soon linked up with Milton Moore of the Sound Proof label where he recorded “Flame Fire,” a hit in the dancehall. Without proper promotion though, the momentum he had gained soon fizzled. Things started turning around for DYCR when Singing Melody introduced him to Reggae balladeer, Richie Stephens. Stephens, after spotting DYCR’s talent, didn’t hesitate in bringing it to the fore. DYCR recorded, “Dem Man Deh,” “Sucker” and “Smikle,” a track which had most hard working people in Jamaican nodding their heads in agreement. Maybe that’s why the dub poet is so accepted in every sector – his poems have a way of putting into words what many want to say. We couldn’t resist asking DYCR what his inspiration was in writing the very popular “Delroy.” “A natural experience, my mother sent me to live with a family and I could never sit in peace,” he explained. Since his emergence on the scene, DYCR has performed to rave response at Unity Splash, Reggae Sumfest, Sting Miami and Western Consciousness. Presently, the poet is working on some new singles in the studio. He is also putting together some tracks for his album which he hopes will be released early next year on the Pot of Gold label.

DYCR hopes he will make a difference through his poems and that he will still be remembered years from now. As he says, “They will remember DYCR. I consider myself a chanting dub poet who did come to make a difference. No matter who come, no matter how good they are, people will remember.”