Cham's album Ghetto Story arrives in stores August 15th. Alicia Keys is featured on the first single "Ghetto Story."

As an artist how important was it for you to break in America?
Cham- It's important because at the same time you have goals and you have dreams. You want to move units and America is one of the biggest markets industry's in the whole world except the UK. You want to move units and that's just important to get a fan base over here.

How did Alicia Keys come to be chosen as the artist for your first single from your new album "Ghetto Story?"
Cham-We were looking for someone exclusive and you can't get more exclusive than Alicia Keys. We reached out to her and her people and she was already feeling the song so it made it a little bit easier for us. So we were keeping our fingers crossed that she was going to do it. We did the video a couple of days ago and I'm so happy. I'm just so happy to have her on the album she's so humble. She's probably the biggest female artist in the whole world and to have her on your first single you can't ask for more than that.

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Are you surprised that radio has taken to you so quickly?
Cham-To tell you the truth it hasn't even soaked in on me yet. I'm just riding whatever is going on. I'm not even thinking about it but I know the song has potential to do big things. It's moving fast and I'm moving with it. I'm not even surprised probably; like three days from now I will be surprised.

How was the video shoot?
Cham-Yeah the video shoot was crazy. It was in the deep, deep ghetto of Jamaica. And she was there partying with the whole fans and wait till you see the video. It's the first time someone has captured the real essence of dancehall life. Usually, when they do videos they recreate that vibe from Jamaica, they have never done it in Jamaica to get the hardcore attentive vibe and this one is in Jamaica with the hardcore attentive vibe.

Was it important for you to shoot the video in Jamaica?
Cham-Yeah I wanted to do it there because that is where the "Ghetto Story" came from.

Is Jamaica some place that you still call home?
Cham- I have two homes. One in Miami and one in Jamaica. We use the Miami home for mostly studio work. Jamaica is where we really, really reside and chill. Miami is mostly for doing work.

I know you've toured all over the world. What are some of your favorite places to perform?
Cham-Hawaii. The UK. I would say Europe. I love Europe. Italy, Germany, Europe and all. I love the Caribbean.

What can you tell me about the new album?
Cham-The album is titled Ghetto Story. It drops on the 15th of August. I got the most talented Alicia Keys on the album. I got Rihanna on the album, sexy Rihanna, I got Akon on the album, I got Trinity who is a young artist, Tia G, she's from the U.K. I got Jimmy Cheeks and a new artist by the name of Magic. He's from Chicago.

Who were some of your musical influences coming up?
Cham-Growing up Bob Marley was like the biggest one. Other than that Whitney Houston. I used to love Whitney Houston as a kid. Michael Jackson, Super Cat, Shabba Ranks.

Speaking of those artists, you have worked with so many people in the past and you worked with so many artists on this new album are there any artists that you can think of that you would want to work with?
Cham-Whitney Houston.

Now you have been in the game for a minute and your career has been pretty successful. Was there ever a time when you felt like you wanted to do something different or just give up?
Cham-No. Music is what we love. I've been doing it like for 10 years since the age 15 going into 16. I know what it takes to take it to the next level. I've been making music since day one and dancehall has been showing us so much love. You have some people now who do a write up and think you are a new artist, but our hardcore fan base knows we have been doing this for a decade. So I knew it was a strain, but to keep on pursuing your dream and making good music and doors would open.

Outside of music what do you like to do in your free time?
Cham-I like to read. I like to watch futbol, you all call it soccer over here. I love to watch futbol. I love sports. Just chill.

Are you looking forward to touring to promote this new album?
Cham-Oh, I can't wait. I've been doing spot dates for like 6 months now. Four shows per week, so that's been spot dates, not pay dates. We are going to go on a one month promotional tour, I can't wait.

Cham's Ghetto Story arrives in store August 15th