Biography
Emerging from dancehall origins, vocalist Dalton Harris seized victory in the 2018 U.K. X-Factor final by delivering striking renditions of material from Elton John, Prince, Radiohead, and Beyoncé.
Born and raised in Jamaica, he endured a tough early life as one of 22 siblings in a low-income home. At fifteen he departed and continued his studies in Kingston, where he posted respectable academic marks. There he encountered Donovan Germain, proprietor of Penthouse Records, who recognized his ability and became his manager. With this support, Harris entered the 2010 Digicel Rising Stars competition, took first place, and quickly put out several singles in the following years, one of which was the 2014 dancehall chart-topper “Pauper.” Further tracks appeared, and in 2018 he partnered with guitarist Mike Needler on the album Unintentional Astronaut.
Harris joined the U.K. X-Factor lineup the same year. Judges responded strongly to his take on Elton John’s “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” carrying him through to the finale, where he performed alongside Emeli Sandé and James Arthur and ultimately won. The resulting duet with Arthur—a fresh arrangement of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “The Power of Love”—was released as a single that opened at number four on the U.K. charts.
Born and raised in Jamaica, he endured a tough early life as one of 22 siblings in a low-income home. At fifteen he departed and continued his studies in Kingston, where he posted respectable academic marks. There he encountered Donovan Germain, proprietor of Penthouse Records, who recognized his ability and became his manager. With this support, Harris entered the 2010 Digicel Rising Stars competition, took first place, and quickly put out several singles in the following years, one of which was the 2014 dancehall chart-topper “Pauper.” Further tracks appeared, and in 2018 he partnered with guitarist Mike Needler on the album Unintentional Astronaut.
Harris joined the U.K. X-Factor lineup the same year. Judges responded strongly to his take on Elton John’s “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” carrying him through to the finale, where he performed alongside Emeli Sandé and James Arthur and ultimately won. The resulting duet with Arthur—a fresh arrangement of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “The Power of Love”—was released as a single that opened at number four on the U.K. charts.
Singles
