For more than a decade, Dexta Daps has been carving out his own space in Jamaica’s dancehall landscape, evolving from a young artiste from Seaview Gardens into one of the genre’s highly recognisable voices. Since making his musical debut in 2012, Dexta has built a career defined by his distinctive sound, storytelling and ability to connect with fans through music that often draws from his own experiences.

Now, the artiste is celebrating the journey,  and he’s doing it with Champagne. The artiste recently performed at the historic Montego Bay staging of Dream Weekend, where he absolutely decimated the stage. He also just wrapped up the London leg of his Champagne Tour, drawing a huge crowd despite only 30 days’ notice. The festivities also coincide with a major musical milestone, as he prepares to release ‘Toast to 10’, an album dedicated to the fans and supporters who have stood by him throughout his more than 10 years in dancehall.

From his early beginnings and Seaview Gardens roots to the challenges that shaped his artistry, Dexta Daps’ story has more than hits and performances. Here are Five Things to Know about the dancehall artiste as he raises a toast to his journey so far and looks ahead to what’s next.

1. He’s raising a ‘Toast to 10’ years with a new album

Dexta Daps is set to release Toast to 10, an album inspired by the unwavering support he has received from dancehall fans throughout his career. After more than 10 years in the business, the project is his way of saying, “Yo, I appreciate you guys.” The album is expected to be a celebration of the relationship he has built with his supporters over the years.

2. His musical journey officially began in 2012

Dexta Daps launched his music career in 2012, releasing his first two singles, “Save Me Jah” and “May You Be.” Those early releases marked the beginning of a journey that would see him develop his signature sound and establish himself as one of dancehall’s most staple talents. More than a decade later, he continues to build on the foundation laid by those first releases.

3. He’s a Seaview Gardens native

Dexta Daps hails from Seaview Gardens, a community with a rich history of producing Jamaican musical talent. His roots in the inner-city community are an important part of his story and have helped shape his experiences and outlook as an artiste. That background is also reflected in the authenticity and relatability that have become part of his musical identity. Seaview Gardens has birthed many talented artistes including Bounty Killer, Shabba Ranks, Elephant Man, and Ishawna, among others.

4. Poverty helped fuel his musical prowess

Dexta has spoken time and again about how growing up in poverty influenced his development and helped fuel his musical creativity. The challenges he experienced while growing up became part of the motivation behind his determination to succeed and create a better life for himself. His story is therefore not simply one of musical ambition, but also one of turning difficult circumstances into creative drive.

5. The celebration isn’t stopping anytime soon

For Dexta Daps, this milestone is less about looking back and more about celebrating the journey while continuing to build. With ‘Toast to 10’ on the horizon and his champagne-themed celebrations continuing throughout the year, fans can expect the celebrations to remain in full swing. And if the champagne tour is any indication, Dexta intends to make his 10-year milestone a celebration that his fans can enjoy right alongside him.