‘Mi a di hottest selector right now’ - Hotta Rice aiming to cement his place in dancehall history

In the sport of football, the number 10 has garnered a reputation for being the best. Some of the world's greatest players have donned the famous digits.

As an avid supporter of the sport, selector Hotta Rice has adopted the number in his own profession. Dubbing himself 'Number 10 for the streets', the Greenwich Town native describes himself as one of the best in his field. And like the other greats who bore the number before him, he's hoping to build a legacy in dancehall that will cement his place in history.'

"Me a di Number 10 fi di streets because me know inna football, the Number 10 a di biggest baller and me come fi ball the game and it just work, cuz everybody like it," he said pointing out that the number also fits well with his moniker. "Me woulda say me a di hottest selector right now inna Jamaica. Hotta Rice is in demand all over the Caribbean and international. Sometimes me can't cope, is like me need a next Hotta Rice. Every year me career just get better and better. Me out every night and me try to be creative as much as possible, and being different is my craft,"he told THE STAR .

Speaking of being different, Hotta Rice says he manages to build a vibes every time he plays because he takes notes. "Me go parties weh me a play very early before my booking time and me watch how things a gwaan. When me do dat, me can be a patron and so me know wah di people dem want when my time come fi play. Me nuh rehearse," he said. "Wah me always do, and it never fail, is play 90 per cent gyal tune and 10 per cent man song. When yuh play for the ladies yuh never go wrong."

Well aware that some may look down at his profession, the selector pointed out that music has allowed him some opportunities he perhaps wouldn't have had working a nine-to-five. "Me used to do marketing for a company called Jamaica Beverages on and off, until me decide me nah go back and me a go take music for my full career. Me never look back and I have no regrets, because I'm making a comfortable living. Me tour the world through music, a it make me go about 15-20 countries, and is not like it free. Me work some of the biggest events in the island, so music make me a live good. Nobody can't make me feel bad about this."

With that said, Hotta Rice told Life of the Party that he would encourage anyone with a passion for selecting to pursue their dreams, as the profession can be very fulfilling. Aside from affording him a means to comfortably provide for his family, the selector said the job is particularly special because of the joy it brings to people. "Yuh get fi interact wid people, take dem outta dem stress and make dem happy, and that is happiness for me. It nuh get no better than that. Me woulda encourage any yute weh wah do this to do it, all if a me son. People a go have dem opinions bout everything, but don't make negativity stop yuh."