Intence

Tashawn “Intence” Gabbidon boasts not only one of the most unique voices in modern Dancehall, but the drive to push it to its limits. The Jamaican artist releases music at a steady clip, stretching, twisting, and warping his vocals to match the experiments of his producers. His creativity and work rate have set him apart in a music scene foaming with new talent, and have made him one of the most in-demand acts in the Dancehall space today. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Intence grew up in Tavern, a gritty district on the capital’s eastern edge. Music filled his childhood; his father, Stephen Gabbidon, worked as both sound system owner and artist, performing under the moniker “Daddy Axe.” It was against this backdrop that Intence learned firsthand the allure and grind of being an artist, and exactly what it takes to light up a venue. Praised as one of Jamaica’s most exciting young artists, he’s clung to with hits like “Yahoo Boyz,” “Yeng,” “Heaven Passport,” “Clutcha,” and “NEW GEAR,” among others. The flair of Intence’s sound and the rawness of his lyrics have struck a receptive chord with audiences in Jamaica and across the world: NYTimes writer Jody Rosen called Intence’s “Yahoo Boyz” “the biggest dancehall smash of 2021”; superstars like Nicki Minaj and Burna Boy count themselves among his fanbase; and his listeners have driven his streaming numbers into the tens of millions. In 2024, he will release his highly anticipated debut album, VOYAGE, via VP Records 🇯🇲