DJ Don Flash named it ‘Fahrenheit’ and sure enough, it always seems to be at the right temperature, tempo and all. Terrence Harold, from Jamaican soil also known as “Farenizzi”, uses his many talents to expose Jamaica, its people, culture and skills to the world.
An artist in general, he is an international ambassador for Jamaican arts and culture, for whatever form he chooses – painting, graphic design, silky-smooth voices, music, acting, production – he never fails to express all things Jamaican. . The prolific artist is equally skilled as a musician, singer, actor and graphic designer unknown to many.
Born in Kingston, Harold has always loved the arts, and his humility and temperate personality reflect the result of someone who is intimately connected in many ways. “As a child, I loved Caribbean music,” recalls Harold. He always appreciated the work of the master painter Barrington Watson.
Terrence ‘Fahrenheit’ Harold Born in the 1970s to a mother from Portland and a father from St. Vincent, Harold grew up in Kingston. This resulting mix of culture provided so much influence on his career that he was already forming during his youth.
Growing up, he listened to music like Jesus Christ, superstar, Toots, Dennis Brown. At the same time, her visual palette was being influenced by Barrington Watson influences. Additionally, she had an interest in music and dance while in a breakdancing group with the Savage team at Wolmers High. Back then, Savage’s team belonged to the music school that was next door to the art school.
She later studied graphic design at Edna Manley College, then the Jamaica School of Art. In addition to exploring sculpture and painting, she received vocal training from Cuban teacher Gorgia Guerra. Guerra has lived in Jamaica for over 20 years and has trained artists such as Baby Cham, Alaine, Swade, Christopher Martin, Brian and Tony Gold.
However, the main contributors to his development have been his parents, who exposed him to a wide range of music to listen to, including Latin music, rock, and reggae. Although he possesses good social skills and ‘connections’, his life as the multifaceted artist that he is began with a struggle, after Edna Manley College, simply due to his fusion of hard dancehall with other musical forms.
Now successful in the combined visual and performing arts, exemplary to many others, he says passion is what primarily explains his success. Balancing visual, literary, and scenic involvement is not difficult for the artist who uses both the left and right sides of their brain. Not to mention those voices that play seductive melodies in your inner being like a piano. It encourages artists to stay engaged, considering their own challenges they face on their way to the top. Remember, for example, the many applications he submitted to the theater. Harold’s first stage work was David Herron’s ‘Redemption’ and ‘Against his Will’. He has also done Dirty Diana at Centrestage.
Later, he moved on to television, landing a role in Royal Palm Estate (Produced by Mediamixx 2003-2004). His international roles extended to Almost Heaven (German film-ed howzing). Interestingly, Terrence was a Kymani trick. He doubled in One Love and co-starred in Goat Head (produced by Paul Bucknor). He has a role in the upcoming Better Mus Come, a Storm Saulter film production due out soon.
Fahrenheit CD Cover His graphics background is balanced with his music as he designs all of his CD covers and for a few other artists. His works include logos, e.g. Brand New Machine (his latest project), Lottery Company 2003, Markham Betting 2000.
Some CDs designed by him are Fringe to Fore 1999, Port Antonio Virgin 2007 and the next Red Cup College release scheduled for 2010. Music is perhaps where he is most successful, or he is popularly known as a rock/reggae musician and singer.
His first song was recorded by the Ruff Cut team Dr. Paul of the band Shabba Ranks. Of the songs he has produced for himself are Looga Man, Kid Kurup, Jovi Rockwell. He has also appeared on some of internationally acclaimed singer Sean Paul’s songs, such as Bubble, a ringtone created for mobile phones.
Harold sees the combined arts as crucial to the development of society. He believes that “as a nation we need to support the art form in schools.” The passionate artist blames the lack of music classes or sessions in high schools as a big problem.
Harold’s latest project is Brand New Machine, which he started in December of last year. Brand New Machine, co-hosted with Steve Wilson every Wednesday, features a different theme for bosses in Fiction Lounge. Fashionista exposes local designers; Papparatzi’s birthday celebration for celebrities; Red cups+lollypops is for the spirrrpy party frenzy. Then there are exhibitions to showcase local visual artists, including painters, photographers, and literary writers.
To the young man, Harold’s advice is: “Stay focused; stay true to your art form and stay passionate: don’t get discouraged when you’re broke…some things will pay if you’re real about them.”