Born Sheldon Aitana Lawrence on April 6, 1981, Aidonia is the second of four children for his mother who was a teacher, and his father an ex-soldier. Originally from the Red Hills Road area, he took his stage name from the first two letters in his middle name ‘Aitana’, and ‘Donia’, a name which he earned while playing football.
Aidonia attended Mona Heights Primary, then Meadowbrook High School where he had the misfortune of being expelled (for keeping ‘bad company’) while in 6th Form. It was from as far back as 1994, while still attending Meadowbrook, that Aidonia’s special love for music began. After watching a tape of Sting 1993 with the infamous clash between Beenie Man, and his icon Bounty Killer, Aidonia immediately got his mind set on becoming a deejay.
Soon after watching the Sting 1993 tape, he began re-enacting the clash for classmates and friends, many of whom recognised his talent from as far back as then. He started writing his own lyrics and formed the JAG1 (Jah A Guide) crew with friends. JAG1 or JOP (Jag One Productions) were often referred to when they were performing at school concerts and fetes.
After being expelled, he relocated to the United States with his father, and started working at FedEx. For the next three years, he would visit Jamaica regularly, and did a few ‘minor’ things on the dancehall scene in New York. While in New York, he was encouraged by some to return to Jamaica in order to get his career going; he did just that.
He met Mr. G (then known as Goofy) and recorded his first single ‘Many a Dem’ in October 2003 on Goofy’s Young Blood label. Soon after, he began working with Rod Pinnock of Orizen Entertainment, and in early 2004, he became a popular performer at a weekly event called “Battle Thursdays”, where he got some recognition and also had an opportunity to work on his performance skills.
In the latter part of 2004, Aidonia was approached by Cordell “Skatta”‘ Burrell who invited him to record at his studio. Two months later, Aidonia had his first bonafide hit, the song “Lolly” which was done on Skatta’s Irish Dance riddim. In October 2005, news broke that “Lolly” was included on VP Records’ annual Strictly The Best (Volume 33) compilation.
More hits followed from 2005 into 2006, including “Chicken Head”, “Prayer”, “Inna Di Ghetto”, “Eagle”, “Ooku”, “Unknown Assailant” and “Kingfish Ah Come”. He also fulfilled one of his goals of working with Bounty Killer, when he recorded “Sen Fi Dem”.
More recently, he has had “Reload” on the Redbull & Guiness riddim, “Bukam” on the Billback riddim and “Wine” on the Tremor riddim.
Look for more big tings from Aidonia in the near future.
keep it real man
aidonia u a the best, keep up your good work.