One Beat at a Time: D Howell Talks Independence, Identity and Global Ambitions

Creative Jamaican Producer D Howell D Howell built a global sound from nothing - no label, no machine - just roots, rhythm, and a relentless belief that Caribbean music belongs on the world’s biggest stages. With “Oh Na Na (Remix)” featuring Charly Black & Yosi Fuentes, he’s proving it

Artiste and proudcer Damien "D Howell" Howell

There’s a certain feeling D Howell captures - locking eyes with someone across a crowded room, only for them to disappear before a word is exchanged. No name, no number, just a moment that lingers for years. That emotion sits at the heart of “Oh Na Na,” a story pulled straight from real life and translated through dancehall.

Born in Jamaica and now based in Toronto, D Howell moves in his own lane: fully independent, writing, producing, and owning his entire catalog. Without a major label machine behind him, he’s built his sound on instinct, identity, and a deep connection to his Jamaican roots. That energy now comes alive on “Oh Na Na (Remix),” featuring dancehall artiste Charly Black alongside Latin artiste Yosi Fuentes.

Howell, speaking about the inspiration behind the song and how much of the story reflects real life, said, “There’s been a lot of moments like that in my life - seeing girls in the club that got away - so I kind of just wanted to choose one feeling and build around it. To say there was one specific girl wouldn’t be completely true. It’s probably half real emotion and half creativity. I took experiences and emotions that happen in everyday life and turned them into a cinematic story people could connect with.”

“Situations like that happen all the time in real life. Sometimes you meet somebody by chance and then they disappear - maybe they move away, go back to school, or live in another city or country. But when there’s a real physical or emotional connection, it stays with you and kind of messes you up inside,” the producer explained while detailing how he translated that emotional spiral into a dancehall sound. “Since dancehall is part of my culture, it felt natural to blend those emotions with the vocals and production,” he added.

“Oh Na Na” was inspired by Puerto Rican singer Farruko, with Howell revealing how the idea for the song came together organically. “I was vibing to one of his songs one day and started thinking about women I’d met in clubs over the years. Then the beat started playing in my head. I called up a friend, told him the idea, and we started experimenting with different instruments and sounds. We worked tirelessly that night trying to perfect the production. By the end of the session, we honestly felt like we had created one of the best beats we’d ever made.

“The next day, after listening back, I knew we needed the perfect artists to fully bring the vision to life - because I truly believed the song had number-one potential.”

“Caribbean culture has influenced the world for generations. This song is proof our sound can evolve while staying true to its roots.”

Bringing international dancehall artiste Charly Black onto the remix came together naturally, Howell explained, revealing that the connection was made through a mutual friend. “I told him I had a hot Latin-influenced track that I thought would be perfect for Charly Black. They asked me to send it over, and his camp got really excited about the beat and Yosi’s vocals. Charly connected with the energy right away and wanted to put his touch on it. The whole vibe felt natural from the beginning.”

Howell also shared that blending Caribbean and Latin influences was always part of the vision behind “Oh Na Na.” According to the producer, the chemistry between the cultures felt effortless from the start. “It was intentional from the jump. Once Yosi Fuentes laid down his vocals, I knew immediately that I wanted to get Charly involved because of his influence in both the Caribbean and Latin spaces. The blend felt organic because those cultures already connect through rhythm, energy, and emotion.”

However, with multiple artistes featured on the track, Howell said maintaining his vision came down to strong communication and setting the tone early in the creative process. “The first thing is making sure the artist understands your vision before they even record. With the first artist, I communicate the full direction and emotion so they can build their vocals around that vision. Once that foundation is strong, the second artist naturally follows the energy that’s already there. It’s almost like a trail of ants - once the path is created, everybody follows the same direction.”

“I make music for the world”

As an independent creative who writes, produces, performs, and owns his masters, Howell admitted the biggest challenge is balancing every responsibility without the support of a major label system behind him. “The hardest part is carrying every responsibility at once. When you’re independent, there’s no big machine behind you - every creative decision, every business move, every investment, every late night in the studio falls on you. People see the freedom, but they don’t always see the sacrifices, pressure, and discipline it takes to stay consistent while building everything yourself from the ground up.”

Despite living in Toronto, Howell said he has never felt pressured to chase validation as a dancehall artiste in Canada, crediting his Jamaican roots for shaping both his sound and direction. “I make music for the world. Jamaica will always be home and the foundation of my sound. I don’t really have to chase recognition because my roots already gave me identity and direction. I’m simply bringing my Jamaican culture and experiences to a global audience while living in Canada.”

With Caribbean music continuing to expand its global influence while evolving into new spaces and audiences, Howell believes the culture remains as powerful as ever. “Caribbean culture has influenced the world for generations. This song is proof our sound can evolve while staying true to its roots.”

“Sometimes people come into your life for a short moment, but they leave a lasting impact. Those are feelings that are difficult to explain in regular conversation - but music gives me a space to express them honestly.”

The producer is also preparing for the release of “In The Air,” an upcoming FIFA World Cup-themed track, which he says reflects the same emotional energy and message of unity.

“That transition came naturally because the keyword is love. Love can mean many things — brotherly love, sisterly love, romantic love, or simply love for humanity. As long as you have love in your heart, it becomes easy to spread that energy to people around the world. And what better way to unite people through love and energy than through the biggest sport on the planet?”

With bigger opportunities potentially on the horizon, Howell said his ultimate mission remains centered around unity, culture, and global connection through music. “To unite the world through my music - one beat, one word, and one song at a time. I want to continue building music that connects cultures, brings people together, and shows how powerful Caribbean music can be on a global stage.”