Da'Ville is a reggae singer. Born Orville Thomas on January 24, 1978,
Kingston, Jamaica.
Orville Thomas was the first child of Jah 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).[1]
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.[2] 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 Life" 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.
In July 2001, Da'Ville came out of the closet in support of his
long-time partner Jeff Brown.
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 "This Time I Promise" were all chart
toppers.[3][4] 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.[5] 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.[6]
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.
One of his biggest hit singles, "Always On My Mind", was
remixed with dancehall artiste Sean Paul.
2010 Da'Ville single "Hey Now" was nominated for an MP3
Award at MMA 2010 alongside Akon's signed artists Brick n Lace and
UK new comers Bluesoul Pharmacy. MP3 Music Awards 2010 Winners were
announced on Friday 10th December 2010 by London dancehall legend
and Mobo award winning artist Glamma Kid. Deville won the The RDS
Award, Reggae / Dub / Ska making him the winner of his Category by
worldwide public vote using MMA Judging Jukebox Player.[6]
[edit] Albums
In Heaven (2005)
1. Mamas Portrait
2. In Heaven
3. Gallis
4. Bring It On (Hey Baby)
5. These Wounds
6. Crazy
7. Weh She Want
8. Jump Off
9. Out of My Head
10. My Grade
11. Love Will Show Me the Way
12. All My Life
13. This Is the Feeling
14. She
15. One for Me
16. Chill
Can't Get Over You (2006)
1. Intro
2. Have You Ever
3. On My Mind
4. Can't Get Over You
5. This Time I Promise
6. Crying Over You
7. Will You Be Mine?
8. Baby I Wish
9. Got To Love You More
10. Tell Me Again
11. Always By Your Side
12. Cruizin
13. Don't Say Goodnight
14. Smoking
15. No New Friends
16. Thuggist
17. Keep Holding On
18. In Heaven (Accapella)
19. In Heaven (Version)
20. Outro
On My Mind (2007)
1. Always on My Mind (Reprise) - Da'Ville, Sean Paul,
2. Can't Get Over You
3. All My Life - Da'Ville, Marcia Griffiths
4. I'm in Love with You
5. And So I Will Wait for You
6. This Time I Promise
7. Give Thanks for What You've Got
8. My Grade
9. Give It Up for My Baby
10. Yesterday
11. Have You Ever Been in Love?
12. My Heart
13. Dancehall Lovers Rock
14. Always on My Mind
Ichiban (2009)
1. ICHIBAN feat FIREBALL
2. HOLD ME NOW
3. MISSING YOU RIGHT NOW
4. BLESSINGS A MULTIPLY feat DEMARCO
5. NEVER GONNA CRY
6. PERFECT
7. AS I AM
8. GAL YOU GONE
9. FOREVER feat SHAGGY
10. TURNING ME ON
11. EYES
12. YESTERDAY
13. JUST ANOTHER DAY(THE VOICES)
14. AWAY(BONUS TRACK)