10Tik is a Jamaican dancehall artist whose music leans into
reflection, street realism, and hard-won resilience. Born Carlton
Nembhard, he first built his name in Kingston’s dancehall circles
after a life shaped by movement between Kingston, Rockfort, and
Mandeville, where he attended deCarteret College. Before music took
over, he worked for the Jamaica Fire Brigade for five years, an
experience that became part of the story behind his grounded,
unsentimental style.
His breakthrough came in 2021 with “Roll Deep,” a
betrayal-and-loyalty anthem that carried his voice far beyond the
underground space where he had been working for years. The single,
co-produced by Khaos Music and Collins Close Records, pushed him
into broader recognition and opened the door to a run of follow-up
releases that kept the same raw edge, including songs like “We Nuh
Like War,” “Gangsta,” and “The Real Way.” Across those records,
10Tik sounds like an artist drawing directly from lived experience
rather than chasing trends, which is a big part of what separates
him from more disposable dancehall acts.
That balance of toughness and introspection sits at the center of
his appeal. 10Tik has described himself as an “old soul,” and that
fits the way he writes: his lyrics often circle struggle, survival,
loyalty, and the pressures of life in the city. The result is music
that feels personal but still speaks to a wider audience,
especially listeners who recognize the same tensions in their own
lives. His audience has continued to grow through singles, videos,
and collaborations, while his name stays closely linked to the
“Gwallaz” identity he uses to frame his worldview and creative
lane.
Even after his mainstream moment, 10Tik has kept his sound rooted
in the same everyday realities that shaped him. Whether he is
riding a hard-edged anthem or leaning into a more reflective cut,
he brings a lived-in authority that gives his music weight. In that
sense, he stands as one of the newer Jamaican voices turning local
experience into dancehall with real emotional pull, and he
continues to expand that lane with each release.
