Long before his name started circulating among dancehall fans, Mark Da Urban says his biggest break arrived without warning.
The singer recalled that he had simply been passing time in the studio when fellow artist Nutty Neithan suggested they record a freestyle.
Speaking to MC Casmir, Mark said neither of them expected the session to become the turning point of his career.
The first freestyle that I did with Nutty Neithan changed everything about my career. I was just boring myself at the studio, then Nutty was like, ‘Man, tukoleyo ka freestyle.’
The clip travelled quickly online and introduced many listeners to a skill Mark had spent years sharpening: building lyrics in the moment while keeping every line connected.
It went viral because I showcased my ability to sing about something that I see, to create from space, seeing rhyme and giving them the lyrics. That was the life-changing moment I have ever had.
For Mark Da Urban, the freestyle became more than a viral video. It gave people a reason to pay attention and gave him the opportunity he had been waiting for.