It’s a Dancehall ‘Ting’ – Vision talks to reigning DHQ Sher
March 21, 2013 | by Deana Myers |
What makes Jamaica truly authentic? The people, the culture, the food, the sport, the politics, the values, the psyche and the general way of life of a typical Jamaican and of course ‘Dancehall’!
As a matter of fact reggae and dancehall music are one of the proud flag-bearers for Jamaicans home and abroad. So powerful and far reaching is its influence and appeal, that the genre has accomplished the rare feature of transcending national, ethnic, gender and cultural boundaries worldwide. An inevitable by-product of this music is Jamaica’s creativity on the dance floor. The choreographing and execution of unusual and phenomenal dance moves have set trends trend in the ‘dancehall’.
Global Phenomenon
The Dancehall Queen Competition has been around for many years in Jamaica and has been adopted by many countries with very beautiful, creative, flexible and otherwise talented young ladies stepping up to the core and representing their country. These ladies have over the years proven themselves to be formidable competitors to the Jamaican girls. Japanese girls have become the most prominent and talked about dancehall queen competitors against Jamaicans. Junko Kudo of Japan was the first foreigner to win the Jamaican Dancehall Queen title in 2002.
Before the aspiring queens can put on a spectacular show they have to go through long training sessions, develop their own routines and execute every move more perfectly for the competition. Getting the crown is no ‘walk in the park for these girls’.
The first National Dancehall Queen in 1992 was Carlene Smith whom many thought put the spotlight on the dancehall queen internationally. Although she wasn’t the first dancehall queen locally, she became the first ever international dancehall queen. Being a prominent figure in Jamaican movies also contributed to her and female dancehall’s popularity. Carlene is also the mother of one of Beenie Man’s daughters. Other winners of this coveted crown are: Keisha Campbell, Stacey, Mad Michelle, Shanique Taylor, Momo, Michelle Young, Kristal Anderson, Aneika Francis and current winner DHQ Sherine Scarlet aka Sher. RIP Shanique Taylor who sadly died in 2006 from skin cancer after winning the crown.
Much respect should be given to females who have championed their way to becoming a dancehall queens and female dancers by profession. Dancers play a vital role in the dancehall fraternity and have been such an important component of ‘dancehall’, it provides a popular theme for dancehall writers and artistes. Without the dance moves and accompanying mode of dress, the genre would be depleted of much hype, glitz and glamour. May dancehall continue to grow with new and bolder dancehall routines from the females!!!
Vision interviewed the 2012 Dancehall Queen Sher
What motivated you to become a dancer?
It is thanks to God that I was able to pursue my dream of becoming a dancehall queen.
Where do u want to see the dancehall queen competition go in the future?
I think the kind of role you play as the reigning DHQ is very important; you have to keep the name up high and represent as both a DHQ and a role model.
As a female dancer, do you think that it is more difficult for females in dancehall than for the opposite sex?
Yes it is, as men get the bigger roles to play in the video shoots. Also, male dancers have taken up much of the dance space so we as female have to come up with a dance move that can stand out in the video light. But it’s slowly changing, many artistes are doing girl tunes so females are getting the work.
Where would you like to go from here, after you give up the dancehall queen crown?
I think I want to do some form of business, perhaps even teach dancing.
As a dancehall dancer who has done extensive travelling around the world, what is the sense of welcome that you receive from countries who sometimes speak other languages? Have you done any training classes for people who want to learn?
People have been very nice and welcoming. They treat me exceptionally well and they love dancehall. I just recently taught a student from Russia. I also teach my peeps in JA to dance.
