“Impossible is nothing with you Jah!”
Like many Caribbean children born in the 80’s, reggae, neo-reggae and dancehall recording and performing artist, “SHINE-I” (Darius Semper), grew up listening to legends like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. When he began to regard Rastafari in his life’s journey, newfound passion directed his love for music to the recording studio. His Debut Album, The Foundation, was released in 2012 and was well received in his homeland of The Virgin Islands (VI).
Desiring to mend some links in The Virgin Islands’ music industry, SHINE-I became an advocate for the development of Virgin Islands’ music. In 2015 he founded a unique production called “Bridging The Gap” (BTG) for the promotion and exhibition of Virgin Islands’ Artists! The production generated a following over four years and has been used as a platform to raise awareness and monies for cerebral palsy and autism – in honour of his youngest child.
Throughout his musical journey SHINE-I has remained focused on his mission to create positive, entertaining and inspirational music. Songs like I Got It Bad helped to create a memorable first-dance on his wedding day, prior to its release. Later, it was number one on VI charts and featured alongside Anthony B and Junior Gong in French magazine, Reggae Vibes. Only Jah, produced by Brazilian studio Akanni-I Records remains a fan favourite in Brazil and Mommy and Daddy, which features vocal and musical contributions from three of his six children, all support his mission and spread a positive message.
SHINE-I has acquired much experience performing and touring. He delivered noteworthy performances on Chronixx’s Dread and Terrible Tour and De Apostle’s Brazilian Razor Blade Tour, both in 2016; and Buju Banton’s Long Walk to Freedom Tour in 2019. Via his affiliation with the BOONDOX (Black Organisation of Noble Diplomats Optimising eXpression) REGIME, he maintains connections that are at the core of the Virgin Islands’ music scene and is able to share a network and camaraderie with like-minded artists.
In 2019, he moved from the Virgin Islands to the United Kingdom (UK) to improve the quality of life for his family. It was a bitter-sweet decision as it hampered the delivery of what would have been the 5th production of BTG. After taking some time to get settled; SHINE-I returned to the studio in 2020 and realised his first UK release in October of that year with Music Is Life. No More, a pandemic-themed song soon followed; and on the Birthday of H.I.M Haile Selassie, 23rd July, 2021, he released his first EP, entitled "Difference". Shine-I closed out 2021 with several live performances and continued into 2022; cumulating with the release of Revolutionaries - an energetic track which fuses his VI Vibe with British Boom (featuring two British rappers) to create a unique sound.
2023 saw a fresh, fiery force with the audio and video release of “See Your Fire”, with team mates Lions Flow Production. Nearing the end of Spring of 2023, he began the promotion of the track “Bad Mind” and its video, which would go on to amass over 350,000 YouTube views.
SHINE-I shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to write, record and record new more visuals. A versatile and experienced artist and entertainer; SHINE-I is poised to continue making significant contributions to the reggae, neo-reggae and dancehall musical genres.
SHINE-I VIBES with FARI APPAREL
