What Happened to Darrin Kenneth O'Brien (Snow)?
Canadian reggae musician Snow, born Darrin Kenneth O'Brien, achieved global fame with his 1992 hit "Informer." After navigating personal challenges and a period of lower mainstream visibility, he experienced a significant career resurgence in 2019 through his collaboration with Daddy Yankee on the multi-award-winning track "Con Calma." He continues to be active in the music industry, operating his independent label, DKO Music Group.
Quick Answer
Snow, whose real name is Darrin Kenneth O'Brien, is a Canadian reggae and dancehall musician renowned for his 1992 chart-topping single "Informer." Following a period of sporadic releases and personal loss, he made a notable comeback in 2019 by featuring on Daddy Yankee's global hit "Con Calma," which earned numerous accolades. As of 2026, Snow remains involved in music, managing his independent label, DKO Music Group, and occasionally releasing new material, maintaining his unique blend of reggae and hip-hop.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born Darrin Kenneth O'Brien
Darrin Kenneth O'Brien, who would later become known as Snow, was born in North York, Ontario, Canada.
First Prison Sentence
Snow served an eight-month sentence after pleading guilty to assault with a crowbar during a bar brawl.
Met MC Shan and Signed Record Deal
On a trip to New York, Snow was introduced to rap star M.C. Shan, who helped him secure a recording contract with Motorjam/Elektra.
Recorded Debut Album While Imprisoned
Snow recorded his debut album, '12 Inches of Snow,' quickly before returning to prison, where he wrote his hit song 'Informer.'
"Informer" Becomes Global Hit
Upon his release, the single "Informer" was released and spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making him an international star.
Released "Murder Love" Album
His second album, 'Murder Love,' featured collaborations with reggae artists and was particularly popular in Asia, with the single 'Sexy Girl' reaching No. 1 in Japan.
Released "Justuss" and "Greatest Hits"
Snow released his third album, 'Justuss,' named after his daughter, and a 'Greatest Hits' compilation.
Signed with Virgin Music Canada and Released "Mind on the Moon"
Snow signed with Virgin Music Canada and released the album 'Mind on the Moon,' which included the Canadian Singles chart hit 'Everybody Wants to Be Like You.'
Wife Tamei Edberg Passed Away
Snow's common-law wife and mother of his daughter, Tamei Edberg, passed away at age 41 after a battle with cancer.
Released "Shame" Single
Snow released the single "Shame," featuring Mykal Rose, announcing that all proceeds would be donated to the fight against cancer in honor of his late wife.
Married Tara Elizabeth Singh
Snow married model and actress Tara Elizabeth Singh at St. Anselm Catholic Church in Toronto.
Featured on Daddy Yankee's "Con Calma"
Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee released "Con Calma," a reggaeton and dancehall song featuring Snow, which became a massive global hit.
"Con Calma" Wins Multiple Awards
Snow and Daddy Yankee's "Con Calma" won six Latin Billboard Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, four Premio Lo Nuestro Awards, and a SOCAN Pop Music Award.
Operates DKO Music Group/Productions
For approximately 16 years (as of a 2023 report), Snow has been operating DKO Music Group/Productions for his own music and to work with other artists, continuing his involvement in the music industry.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Darrin Kenneth O'Brien, known professionally as Snow, emerged from North York, Ontario, blending dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop into a distinctive sound. His early life was marked by challenges, including dropping out of school and serving an eight-month prison sentence in 1987 for assault. It was during a subsequent incarceration in 1992 that he penned his breakout hit, "Informer."
Released in 1993, "Informer" became a global phenomenon, spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and propelling his debut album, "12 Inches of Snow," to sell over 8 million copies worldwide. Despite this initial success, Snow faced legal disputes with his former partner Marvin Prince over songwriting credits and profits, though Prince's lawsuit was eventually dismissed. His subsequent albums, such as "Murder Love" (1995) and "Justuss" (1997), found significant popularity in Asia and the Canadian charts, allowing him to tour internationally despite a criminal record that initially restricted U.S. touring.
In his personal life, Snow endured the tragic loss of his common-law wife, Tamei Edberg, to cancer in 2009. In her honor, he organized fundraisers like 'ClosURE For Cancer' and established the Pure Snow NGO to assist those in non-profit housing. He later remarried in 2016 to model and actress Tara Elizabeth Singh.
A significant turning point in his later career came in 2019 when he collaborated with Puerto Rican superstar Daddy Yankee on the reggaeton and dancehall track "Con Calma." This reimagining of "Informer" became a massive international hit, accumulating nearly 3 billion views on YouTube and winning numerous awards, including seven Latin Billboard Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and four Premio Lo Nuestro Awards in 2020. This collaboration reintroduced Snow to a new generation of listeners and solidified his enduring impact on global music.
As of May 2026, Snow continues to operate his independent record label, DKO Music Group/Productions, which he has managed for approximately 16 years, working on his own music and with other artists. While no major new public releases or tours have been extensively reported for 2024-2026, he maintains an active presence in the music industry, building connections within the Latin community following the success of "Con Calma." His net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Darrin Kenneth O'Brien (Snow) made different choices?