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Hauler truck driver hopes for road to success as musician
By Enid Joaquin
Driving seven hundred miles in one day, for a lot of people, might seem like a daunting task, but for trucker, singer and recording artiste Roylin Isaacs it is all in a day’s work.
Isaacs, who goes by the stage name Dead-li, which he jocularly said that he gave himself to intimidate his competitors, stressed that he is presently on a journey- driving his musical career to ‘destination Success!’
Isaacs in a more serious mode however, related that it was his ability to ‘destroy’ the competition, while at school in Brooklyn, that earned him the moniker.
He noted that students who came to his class to engage in lyrical clashes and lost, were considered “lyrically dead”, hence the name Dead-Li. The name stuck he admits.
Presently based in New York, Isaacs hails from the remote Region Ten community of Ituni, where he grew up with his grandparents.
In a recent interview, he spoke of his love for his trucking job and his career as a recording artiste.
Our Ituni homeboy said that he left Guyana for New York in 1996.
He subsequently landed a job driving hauler trucks. Isaacs said that he later accumulated enough money to purchase his own truck.
His present job entails trucking cargo across several states lines in the United States and sees him driving up to seven hundred and fifty miles per day. 
Roylin Isaacs
While some might view such an occupation with trepidation, Isaacs is completely enthused.
“I love the fact that I get to see so many places and meet different people. It gives me a whole lot of material for my songs, which I write myself.
“A lot of times I’m driving and I’m formulating lyrics for my songs, so there is never a dull moment, and the surprising thing is, I’m always energized after one of these trips.
He also draws on his experiences here in Guyana to write his songs.
One entitled “ Bare Situation”, highlights a lot of the ‘situations’ that Guyanese are faced with on a daily Basis.
Isaacs said that music has always been a part of his life.
He confessed that he would often imitate artistes such as Bob Marley, Bounty Killa, Buju Bantan and Beenie Man to name a few.
This he however kept on the ‘down low’, he said, as he was afraid of being ridiculed.
But then he migrated to New York, where his talent in writing lyrics was brought to the fore at Evander High School. He simultaneously befriended a few Jamaican migrants who were also involved in similar pursuits. The friends did lyrical ‘face-offs’ for fun, Isaacs recalled.
His journey along his career path, has seen him churning out quite a few music videos and compact discs.
But before all that, Isaacs was focused on networking with people who were already into music. That saw him getting involved with the people at Don One studios.
The competition he says was tough, but he stood firm and gained the respect of many for his tenacity.
Isaacs began recording In 2008 with Brooklyn’s Mad Scientist. Interestingly, his first mixed compact disc was named “FINALLY”!
In reminiscing on the project, he said that it was done to build a fan base and familiarize people with his music.
He would also return to Guyana where he took up engagements to promote his music through live appearances.
Isaacs said that he was very enthused with the response, especially from the youths.
He pointed out that many of them, would relate their experiences to him, and ask him to write about them. He said that he was only too pleased to oblige.
It was out of these interactions that the song “Bare Situation” would emerge.
Meanwhile, he is focused on keeping his eyes on the road ahead, hoping that it leads to success.
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