Ali Smith couldn't have imagined two years ago that a song he wrote about the violence in Bermuda would have been his ticket to fame.

Now two years later, he has signed a deal with Swagger Wireless to have the song turned into a ringtone that could travel around the world.

Mr. Smith was recently named the winner of the CellularONE Mobile Movement Tour and has inked a $5,000 publishing deal in addition to the digital distribution agreement with CellularONE and Swagger Wireless.

He also won a trip to New York City to record the winning song and a one-on-one with DJ Clue.

The Royal Gazette sat down with the 37-year-old to discuss his feelings after realising he won, the inspiration behind the $5,000 song and much more.

The Dockyard resident has performed at Sumfest in Jamaica opening up for Alicia Keys. He was the first Bermudian to have that honour.

He also performed at the United Nations headquarters after 9/11 and said it was "kinda scary".

Mr. Smith explained he received most of his grooming by performing at the annual Culture Shock reggae concerts having performed at all but three in the 13-year history. In addition, he has performed at numerous weddings and funerals even penning a song for his own mother's funeral called 'Oh Mama' which is the track for the TB Cancer Association advertisements.

The inspiration for the winning song, 'Why' came from all the violence happening in Bermuda. Mr. Smith explained it prompted him to ask why it was happening.

"The song is about why do we do this and that. Let's have peace and tolerance".

The man who calls himself "an emotional singer" said he worked with producer Shawny Boy, a young man he calls a wonderful engineer, to lay the track over one of his hip-hop beats.

When asked why he entered the contest, the answer was simple: "Because I would like to get somewhere."

Mr. Smith admitted he didn't know anything about the contest and his wife was the one who told him.

"I had just come back from Sumfest and a two-week vacation. She let me go with my mates. She told me about the competition and said 'let's get this done'," he smiled.

During the performance at Snorkel Park on August 31, Mr. Smith walked on stage singing a capella with the track coming in after a couple seconds.

Joining him on the stage were two actors dressed as thugs acting out the words of the song. Towards the end, Mr. Smith held his arms out and drew them closer with the actors coming to the centre of the stage and hugging.

He said: "I had the right song. There's so much violence going on and it needs to stop. Who's a better person to give a message to the young men of Bermuda other than someone who's been there".

Mr. Smith said his biggest inspiration is his mother.

"Before I hit a stage, I think about people who passed away. It's something that dwells inside of me."

He said he never gets nervous because he killed that fear along time ago.

Even though Mr. Smith won the competition, Home Grown were the original winners but chose to step down to take their career in another direction.

The man who claims he steps in a booth without lyrics and just sings said: "I felt I should have won. Not being bold about it especially since it was judged on performance. I didn't hear anything that would make me get goose bumps on my arms."

He said he has a lot of love for Home Grown because they have backed him a few times during performances.

So what are his thoughts on winning?

"It's overwhelming. The feeling is like no other. It's a good feeling. I was finally excited. Really excited.

"I really wanted to win. I knew if I did, I wouldn't let anyone down," he said.

"It's a dream come true. I've been here in the box in Bermuda. One toe outside of the box and anything can happen. It's a new thing for me. Yes, I am excited.

"I'm not new to the business. I know to not lose my head. What I have is unique."

Mr. Smith will be travelling to New York next month to record 'Why' in the Roc The Mic Studios.

The song will be available through Swagger Wireless and CellularONE in the near future.