Merchant (born Ricardo Renford Nicholson on March 18th 1981 to parents Charmaine Bowen and Renford Nicholson in Manchester, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay. Biography Early life and career Nicholson spent his earlier days growing up in Manchester, where he attended the Kayda primary school then he moved to Kingston in the garrison of water house where he attended the Drew’s Avenue All Age School; there he started singing at school concerts. At the age of 15, he moved to Portmore and attended the Waterford Comprehensive High School. While attending school, he and his pairs kept their own concerts during the lunch break beating rhythms on the desk and contesting each other lyrically. Music was always in his blood being the nephew of well-known singer Derrick Parker and living in the community of Braeton Phase two, popular known as Brixton. 2000s While growing up in Portmore, Merchant had lots of musical influence such as Mad-Cobra, Frisco-kid, Singer J and Indica. In 2005, he was encouraged by Indica to enter the B-mobile Portmore talent search and was placed second to Gyptian, the winner of the competition. In that same year, he performed at his first major stage show -The West Kingston Jamboree, this was a major success and after which he began recording songs. Merchant currently boast hit singles such as Badness nuh pay and Dance the time away. Merchant-the Musically Abusicaly Wise a.k.a Dj Vybz is a bright prospect, and a star in the reggae and dancehall music industry. With his wide range of lyrics, flamboyant and versatile styles, he is definitely an artist to watch for the near future. This hard working and determined dancehall artist is quickly becoming a household name on the Jamaican and Caribbean Dancehall scene. SINGLES 1. "Dance The Time Away” (2011) 2. “Badness Nuh Pay” (2011) 3. “Rise Up Mi People” (2011) 4. “Broke Out” (2011) 5. “Move Out Mi Tings” (2012) 6. “Nah Trust Friends” (2012) 7. “Jah Is By My Side” (2012) 8. “Hard Way” (2012) 9. “I don’t Want To Live This Way” (2012) 10. "Joe Grind" (2013) 11. " Summer Time featuring Spugy B" (2013) 12. “Bubble Up featuring Kirk Davis” (2013) 13. “ Dem Nuh Wah Wi Rise featuring Spugy B” (2013) 14. “Better Must Come One Day” (2013) 15. “ Never Walk Away” (2013) 16. “ Gud Gud Gud “ (2013) 17. “Pum Pum Gud” (2013)