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SLEEK WELCOME
I
t’s 2013, and LADIES ARE IN CHARGE! Many sectors of Jamaican society are now led and driven by powerful women, who have the brains, wits, and charm, to shape our country for a brighter and better future.
SLEEK had the honour of sitting down with several leading ladies across our island’s diverse landscape of industries, to learn more about their journey to the top, and the just as hard work it takes to stay there.
The November 2013 issue of SLEEK is a groundbreaking one for the publication, as the balance of entertainment, lifestyle, and corporate education, makes it an edutainment timepiece of the generation we’re living in.
C.E.O. Andrew Bellamy
HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Bellamy
CONTENT EDITOR Staci Smith
CONTRIBUTOR Hasani Walters
COVER OUTFIT BYED BY SHH BOUTIQUE Lee Gore Business Centre 31 Upper Waterloo Rd, tel: 876-632-6472
DESIGN DIRECTOR Daniel Ford
COVER PHOTOHER Andrew Bellamy
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Dominic Bell
MAKE-UP BY Krystle Karee
PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Bellamy Daniel Ford Athelstan Bellamy Osbourne Chin
MEET THE SLEEK TEAM
ANDREW
STACI
BRIAN
DANIEL
DOMINIC
HASANI
WHERE TO FIND YOUR ISSUE! Cuddy’z, Muffin Top, Fit Farm, Spartan Health Club, South Beach, Avery’s Beauty Concept, Whitebones, Base Kingston, Tracks & Records, Truck Stop, Cafe Blue, Cannonball (all 4 locations), Salon Splurt, The Spot (UWI), Student’s Union Office (UTECH), Little Tokyo (Sovereign), Pita Grill , Susie’s, Giscombe, Texaco (Liguanea & Mary’s Brown Corner), Petcom (Dunrobin), Shhh Boutique, The Pub (Mayfair), Alter Ego Fashion Oasis, Toss and Roll and Ribbiz Lounge.
SLEEK is published by
CREATIVE FACTORY. To obtain a copy contact us at: 876-277-4258 email:besleekja@gmail.com
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CONTENTS 06.Fashion Apps 10. Tahnida Nunes 16. Kamila McDonald-Alcock 19. Nuh Woman, Caan Drive?! 22. Erin Mitchell 30. Miss Kitty 34. Snacking Right 38. Christelle Harris 44. SLEEK Tunes 46. Samantha J
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“Being a mother and a wife I have stumbled across a new found need for more balance. The biggest change has been accepting that I am no longer an individual and instead a part of a unit where my daughter and husbands’ needs and happiness supersede any urge or desire to work around clock.�
FASHION
FA S H I O N APPS In the fast-paced world we live in today, time is limited in preparing your outfits for the back-to-back SLEEK events always taking place and keeping up with the latest tricks and trends. To help ease this problem, we have assembled a list of fashion themed mobile applications for your smart phones to plan and accessorise your get-ups while on the go.
BEAUTYLISH From the Beautylish app users can get makeup and beauty tips from experts. Watch tutorials on how to create some of your favourite looks. You can also view hair, nail, and makeup tutorials, the latest beauty trends, new product releases, skin care information, expert beauty tips and advice, and makeup reviews.
STYLISH GIRL Stylish Girl is a style planner revolving around the clothes in your closet and the clothes you love to have. Fashion is all about how you put your clothes together, so mix and match your clothes with the this fun app. - Catalogue your closet. All your wardrobe virtualized! - Create amazing looks anytime and anywhere.
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- Share your outfits and clothes with your friends via email, Facebook or Twitter, and pick the best looks.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Get the inside scoop from MAKE UP FOR EVER artists on how to create eye-catching make up looks for every occasion. Step-bystep tutorials will help you choose your favorite make up look and learn how to apply it like a pro. Share tutorials with friends or email yourself the step-by-step instructions for getting your favorite looks using our share tools.
POSE Pose is the app where you can see and shop the looks shared by the world’s top trendsetters every day. Join the millions of people who are using Pose to see what to wear and how to wear it! • See what top bloggers, brands and celebrities are wearing right now • Share your favorite outfits & shopping finds with friends
GO TRY IT ON Have you ever thought it would be nice to have a second opinion when shopping by yourself? Go Try It On is your second opinion fashion app. Simply snap a shot of you wearing any item you wish to buy, upload it to the Go Try It On app, and get opinions from strangers or friends. November Issue | SLEEK 7
INTERVIEW
TAHNIDA NUNES SENIOR SPONSORSHIP MANAGER
HOW HAS YOUR TENURE AT DIGICEL BEEN THUS FAR? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO IN THE FUTURE? I walked through the doors of Digicel 6 months after we opened back in 2001. This year marks my 12th anniversary at the company. The journey has been nothing short of phenomenal. Digicel has taught me so much. I started as a call centre agent back in 2001 and continued to grow throughout the company that saw me occupying several roles including Marketing Executive, Executive Producer of Digicel Rising Stars, Special Project Manager and my current role as Senior Sponsorship Manager. I look forward to growing with the Digicel brand, as the company continues to break new grounds in innovation and I ultimately look forward to becoming a fulltime minister, eventually. AS A MANAGER, YOU PROVIDE DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP FOR THE UNIT. DESCRIBE HOW YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS IN THE PAST. I truly believe there is a difference between a leader and a manager. A manager gets 10 SLEEK | November Issue
their employees to work based on the authority that comes with their position, while a true leader inspires their team to do their best work. I truly believe I am leader. I lead by example and constant coaching and feedback. The key is to ensure you provide clear concise direction and to also remember the human element. I try to be open, honest, fair, and to operate in an environment where my team members are comfortable to approach me. WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A FEMALE PROFESSIONAL IN SUCH A LARGE COMPANY AND INDUSTRY? Digicel believes in nurturing talent and its employees regardless of who you are and that’s the environment I’ve become accustomed to. So while I know it exists in my industry, I also know that I have been blessed. I have always been given a fair chance at Digicel to work hard and be rewarded based on my commitment and dedication. HOW WOULD YOU EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF SPONSORSHIP MANAGEMENT?
At the end of the day, sponsorship management boils down to ensuring that your sponsorship properties are aligned with the bigger picture of your brand/it’s overall strategy and importantly, ensuring that there is measured ROI - whether it’s be tangible or otherwise. Digicel’s aim since our launch has been to weave ourselves into the fabric of our customer’s lives. This is what has led us to supporting initiatives and activities that matters most to our customers and by extension to Jamaica. So you’ll see us in your communities, in schools, at cultural events and the list goes on. WE KEEP SEEING ADVERTISEMENTS ABOUT ‘BEING A PART OF THE DIGICEL FAMILY’. WHAT TO YOU IS THE BEST PART? The best part of our 2 million strong family to me is that I am a part of something great! It’s truly a family, from my team, to our ambassadors to the many partners we sponsor and importantly our customers the relationships are amazing. We are truly a family.
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“This role has helped me to meet so many people from various walks of life. My motto is not to only read the word of God but become the word of God. I might be the only bible many people may ever read so my mission has been to conduct myself in a way that affects change in the lives of every one I meet. I’ve helped to change many lives throughout this journey and that has been a blessing.”
} November Issue | SLEEK 11
COVER FEATURE
KAMILA
MCDONALDALCOCK
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE A LADY IN CHARGE? A Lady in Charge is confident, focused, organized and understands the true power of a positive mind. She has a clear understanding of her priorities (God, family and health always being in the top 3) and is on a constant mission to strive for that perfect balance between work and ‘play.’ WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHANGE FROM BEING KAMILA MCDONALD TO KAMILA MCDONALD-ALCOCK? By nature Kamila McDonald is a multi-passionate perfectionist who is also a self proclaimed multi-tasker and quite the workaholic. Those who know me well know of my work ethic and eagerness to take on multiple projects at the same time—most being entrepreneurial. These traits have left me with little down time for as long as I know myself. Now being a mother and a wife I have stumbled across 16 SLEEK | November Issue
a new found need for more balance. The biggest change has been accepting that I am no longer an individual and instead a part of a unit where my daughter and husbands’ needs and happiness supersede any urge or desire to work around clock. I’ve come to accept and understand the importance of fulfilling my destiny without sacrificing my roles of mother and wife. A LOT OF PERSONS MAY NOT KNOW, BUT YOU’RE QUITE AN EXPERT IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT. HOW MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGES CAN YOU SPEAK, AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO STUDY THIS CRAFT? I‘ve always been fascinated with traveling and meeting people from different cultural backgrounds. After completing high school in Jamaica, I moved to Norway for two years to attend the Red Cross Nordic United World College (RCNUWC). My experiences there inspired me in the foreign languages department, which led me to study Spanish and Norwegian at the IB (International Bachelorette) level. To top it off, upon graduation my parents, siblings and I moved to Tanzania, where I spent a few months before heading to University, studied Swahili in Arusha
and travelled throughout Africa. These experiences solidified my love for different cultures and the languages. During my college years at Stanford University, I minored in Spanish and French and did a study abroad program in Santiago Chile for a trimester. WHEN YOU’RE NOT ON OUR TELEVISION SCREENS AS THE HOST OF THE ICONIC WRAY & NEPHEW CONTENDER BOXING SERIES, YOU’RE A HIGH IN DEMAND FITNESS INSTRUCTOR. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JAMAICA HAS CAUGHT ON THE WORLDWIDE FITNESS WAVE, AND WHAT ARE A FEW POINTERS YOU CAN GIVE PERSONS TO WHIP INTO SHAPE? I am thrilled that we as Jamaicans are embracing and riding the global health and fitness wave. There are health food stores and restaurants popping up all over and even before sunrise the gyms are packed and joggers fill the streets. However there is still quite a lot of work to do! The leading cause of death in Jamaica is Chronic Non Communicable diseases— obesity being the leading cause of them and unfortunately cultural norms and practices have lead us astray. We eat high amounts of sugar, sodium and many have what would be considered nutritionally an unbalanced diet. My advice in one sentence would be to keep added sugar, sodium and processed food at a bare minimum, choose one starch for meals (instead of the typical rice, potatoes, green bananas, dasheen and white flour many times all being on one plate!) and exercising 4-5 times per week. WHAT CAN SLEEK READERS LOOK FORWARD TO FROM KAMILA MCDONALDALCOCK IN 2014? During the past few months I have been working on a number of projects and products which merge my love and passion for health and fitness with my passion for Broadcast Television and New Media. I will be launching most of these in 2014 so stay tuned. SO many exciting things to announce soon!
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WTF
NUH WOMAN, CAAN DRIVE?! Nuh Woman Caan Drive? WTF? The latest addition to the YouTube viral video list is a very controversial one. It’s a poor but significant rendition of Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry. As a result, a serious social issue in Saudi Arabia is getting some more attention. Nuh woman caan drive! Crazy huh? Like WTF? The music video for No Woman, No Drive, done by Saudi Arabian performer, Hisham Fageeh and friends, mocks Saudi Arabia’s ban on female driving and offers a satirical view on one of the country’s current burning issues. This is a perfect example of, as we say here in Jamaica – ‘tek serious ting mek joke!’ A ‘GOOD’ JOKE MAYBE? In fact, since the video was uploaded on YouTube on October 26, it has already amassed over 9 million views, with people praising the lyrics of the song. On October 26 (the same day the video was released), the campaign ‘October 26 driving’ urged women with international driving licenses to get behind the wheel as a sign of protest in Saudi Arabia. It’s reported that there were about 60 women who drove to support the cause. And yes, those caught were fined…about 300 riyals which equates to about 80 USD which is about 8,359.93 JMD. Sad. What’s strange however, the ban on female driving isn’t a law, (it’s a tradional ban) but that didn’t stop authorities from arresting women who defied the ban in 19 SLEEK | November Issue
the past. Is it even possible to imagine Jamaica in a situation like that? Nope. Luckily our culture (like most other countries of the world) is nothing like Saudi Arabia’s, and furthermore, Jamaican women are far too toughened to sit back and made to be calm in the back seat Hisham Fageeh sings of. We’re far past any time where that was possible. Have you ever been on the road and yuh see a car gwaan wid a wicked piece a driving and when yuh look to see is who is a woman behind the wheel? Happened to me already! So No Woman, No Drive? Only in Saudi Arabia, not in this country! “Driver! Doan stop at all!” is what the ladies in charge deal wid!
ERIN
INTERVIEW
MITCHELL RED STRIPE BRAND MANAGER
DISCUSS YOUR RED STRIPE CAREER PROGRESS TO DATE. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT? My Red Stripe career progress to date has been very exciting. The initial few months were an adjustment – because everyone loves Red Stripe, everyone feels responsible for its wellbeing, so there are a lot of opinions to take into consideration. Eventually, I found my voice and began making the decisions that I thought were in the best interest of the Brand. I have gained a lot of confidence in my marketing abilities and feel very proud of the things that I have done for Red Stripe, especially around Red Stripe Premier League and our Independence Campaign.
WHAT PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? HOW HAVE THEY HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS?
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“When people see that you fight for what’s important, they’re more likely to help you when you need it.”
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I’m very proud of my ability to maintain harmonious relationships with people in my work environment; a very intense, fast-paced industry. I think for the most part I choose to battle for the things that are most important and remain more laid back for others. Keeping focused on priorities helps me to ensure that I’m not getting argumentative about things that don’t matter. That way, when people see that you fight for what’s important, they’re more likely to help you when you need it. WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A YOUNG FEMALE PROFESSIONAL? Keeping the balance between maintaining a private life, and having to be in the public eye. I tend to ignore obvious gender discrimination of people
thinking you can’t do something because you’re female. Personally, I don’t care what they think, if I think I can do it, then I will J. AS A BRAND MANAGER, CREATIVITY IS IMPORTANT. HOW IMPORTANT IS CREATIVITY IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE? Creativity is less important in my personal life, my clothes and home are pretty simple, I don’t go all out much. WHAT RED STRIPE PROJECT HAVE YOU BEEN MOST SATISFIED WITH? WHAT WAS YOUR ROLE? Red Stripe Premier League has been my most satisfying project to date at Red Stripe. It is very challenging, encompassing a lot of different aspects of marketing – TV production, events, trade and much more. Working with a wide cross-section of stakeholders, people from all walks of life, seeing Red Stripe get people out to support their community, are all very rewarding. HOW DO YOU MANAGE WORK AND YOUR PERSONAL LIFE? Balancing work and my personal life is very difficult at times, but I will always do my best to be there for occasions that matter to friends and family. I usually have dinner with my parents at least twice a week, to get their perspective on life and just relax. I also have a very great group of friends who keep me company at events, even when I abandon them to run around and work – so shout out to them for putting up with me. APART FROM THE AMAZING BEER, WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF BEING AT RED STRIPE? Enjoying well-cold Red Stripe is pretty highup on the list of course. But being a part of shaping a truly iconic Jamaican brand is exciting. And let’s be real, Red Stripe is the World’s Coolest Company.
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FEATURE
MISS KITTY MEDIA PERSONALITY
1. HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE A LADY IN CHARGE? A lady in charge is one that leads by example, has vision, and also knows that she needs the right team to get the job done; team work makes the dream work. 2. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KHADINE HYLTON AND MISS KITTY? Khadine is very laid back, very much a home body; family means the world to Khadine. Miss Kitty on the other hand, is a go-getter, always daring to dream big and is always pushing the envelope. 3. YOU’RE EASILY ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CARIBBEAN MEDIA PERSONALITIES. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR BRAND APPEALS TO SO MANY DEMOGRAPHICS?
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“People want to feel good about themselves, especially women who crave respect, not just for their size but for who they are and what they represent. “
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“Follow what you are genuinely passionate about and let that guide you to your destination”… it was Diane Sawyer who said that quote and it is something that I live and guide my life by. I believe persons are drawn to what is real; ‘real’ knows real every time and I think persons will always resonate with the causes that I champion. People want to feel good about themselves, especially women who crave respect, not just for their size but for who they are and what they represent. I am their daughter ,I am their niece, I am their aunt, I am their friend, I’m the voice that they don’t have ; I say what they don’t want to say or simply can’t say. People love my style,
5. MISS KITTY HAS BEEN VOTED IN AS THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA. WHAT’S YOUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS? The children; our children need guidance, rules, and good role models that can uplift and motivate them in becoming sociable and marketable citizens. We have to place emphasis on how we mould our children. If we neglect them now our future will ultimately be neglected. Hence we must train them in the way we want them to go. 6. WHEN A MIRACLE OCCURS AND YOU HAVE TIME TO YOURSELF, HOW DO YOU UNWIND? Sleep!! Rest is a very coveted commodity in my life so when I can I am always resting. I also love watching TV, anything news or entertainment based, I am a river baby so taking road trips with my friends and family is always a plus and once this trip ends up at a river, that’s the icing on the cake for me and right now I’m learning and loving the game of chess. my pizzazz, and sassiness. I speak freely, empowering women and young girls and by doing so I have carved a niche for plus size women. Style does not stop at size 2 or 3, and I show them that they can look good, dress well, feel good and be a formidable force to be reckoned with.
7. WHAT’S NEXT FOR MISS KITTY? STAY TUNED!! I am always working on something different, always thinking outside of the box, daring to be different; stay tuned.
I have also stepped out in a very male dominated environment and have worked hard. I think people see that and appreciate my efforts and drive. After all, “by the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread”. 4. ARE YOU CONTENT WITH THE PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN THE MEDIA AND DO YOU BELIEVE THERE ARE ENOUGH WOMEN IN THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN JAMAICA? There are women in the media landscape, but I think more can be done. We make up a majority of the field, but we aren’t given the due acknowledgement. More recognition should be afforded to females and we should be met with less bias; we go really hard… even harder than men … and we should be lauded more. November Issue | SLEEK 29
snacking FOOD
RIGHT
It's just two hours after lunch and you're feeling peckish alrea dy. Your diet won't allow you to eat a meal, so what should you snack on? Should you even snack? The troubling part of diets aren 't always the main meals, but those times in between whe you're tempted to have a snac n k. Even if you only choose to brin g healthy snacks into your hom e, there may be highcalorie, high-fat food at work or social events which can pose a challenge to your weight loss regime. It's best to combine healthy snacks with good snacking tips to help keep your diet on track.
MINDLESS SNACKING Many of us snack while we're working. This may help us get through our tasks faster, but it also helps us finish that bag of chips without even realising. Try not to snack in front of the television or computer. It's easy to lose track of how much you're eating when you're not paying attention to the food. SNACK FROM A PLATE Avoid eating directly out of a bowl or serving dish, which can lead to overeating. Choose small portions of a healthy snack and put them on a plate so you can easily control the
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portion of food you're consuming . FRUITS AND VEGGIES Fresh fruits and vegetables make the best healthy snacks. They are low in calories and generally high in fibre. Fill up on these foods instead of highercalorie snacks. LIMIT ALCOHOL Alcoholic drinks are loaded with calories. Additionally, the more you drink, the harder it is to exercise discipline when you’re craving a snack. If you're at an event where alcohol is served, choose a lowercalorie drink, such as a glass of wine or light beer.
INTERVIEW
CHRISTELLE HARRIS VP MARKETING AT RUMFIRE WHITE OVERPROOF RUM
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HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE A LADY IN CHARGE? A person ‘in charge’ understands that fulfilling responsibilities doesn’t always equal meeting everyone’s expectations. You have to know what you want, set YOUR goals and do what you have to meet them. At the same time, it’s extremely important to remember that a part of leadership is understanding that you’re always learning, and that sometimes you have to go with the flow and allow change to happen. A lady in charge is a woman who does the aforementioned, while still maintaining social, family and personal obligations and interests. She also understands that she’s in a position of power and in a position to influence change. A lady in charge embraces her status and uses it to do good as well as attain success.
FOR THE FEW THAT DON’T KNOW, WHO IS CHRISTELLE HARRIS? I was born and raised in Jamaica, and after attending high school and university in Canada, I explored working for my family businesses in retail, hospitality and gaming. I then spent three years in Los Angeles studying the craft of acting and exploring the world of film and production, even doing some classes for fun at UCLA. When my Grandfather, Lawrence Hussey, the patriarch of the family, became ill, I came back to Jamaica to help him get better, but he unfortunately passed away a few months later. I realized that my family needed me more than ever, and I decided to come back to help them. Since then, I’ve been given the opportunity to manage the operations of the retail portfolio of my family owned rum distillery, Hampden Estate. Outside of work and family, I have a huge passion for helping people and for the arts. WITHIN THE BUSINESS WORLD AND THE MARKETING INDUSTRY, ARE THERE ANY DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE OF YOUR GENDER, YOU HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME AS A BOSS LADY?
AS A PHILANTHROPIST THROUGH YOUR CHRISTELLE HARRIS CHARITY FUND, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MOST URGENT SOCIAL ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE TACKLED IN JAMAICA? In Jamaica currently, I feel as if we’re in a constant state of turmoil. One thing we need to stop doing is putting a band-aid on our problems. A quick fix is never going to create permanent change. Everyone knows that ‘the children are the future’. We need to really think about that statement and come together to uplift the next generation. It’s not just one social issue, it’s a change of mentality and a complete shift in focus. WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHRISTELLE HARRIS? I will continue to learn as much as I can, do as much as I can, and just be a good person. I have so much on my plate, because I dream big and I think big, so I have to take it moment by moment. This is the only life I have, so I have to live every moment as best I can. Hopefully, I can leave behind something that will make my descendants proud.
I can’t say I have. Sometimes people have an automatic reaction to women in business, but that is very antiquated…. they expect us to be unaware, unexposed and under qualified. But after a short conversation, I see the change in perception almost immediately.
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In Jamaica currently, I feel as if we’re in a constant state of turmoil. One thing we need to stop doing is putting a band-aid on our problems. A quick fix is never going to create permanent change.
November Issue | SLEEK 37
Summer Review Issue | SLEEK 40
MUSIC
GIVE IT ALL TO ME (REMIX) by Mavado ft. Nicki Minaj
After almost two years of being signed to DJ Khaled’s We The Best imprint, Mavado has released his most Internationally radio-friendly single to date, Give It All To Me (Remix). Give It All To Me (Remix) is produced by Justus Arison and the late Patrick ‘Roach’ Samuels of JA Productions, and can be found on their Overdrive Riddim. Listeners will be glad to hear Mavado and Nicki Minaj trade verses on this mid-tempo dancehall release, and we hope that this is the track to chart globally in a major way for Mavado.
VIXEN Gyptian ft. Angela Hunte
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Gyptian is the last Jamaican act to find crossover success as a solo act, courtesy of his hypnotising Hold Yuh in 2010. Three years later, the reggae crooner returns with Vixen, assisted by vocalist Angela Hunte. Vixen features legendary Haitian-American Jerry ‘Wonder’ Duplessis behind the boards, who provides a pulsating guitar-heavy instrumentation, matching the sexually suggestive lyrics and vocals by Gyptian and Hunte. Gyptian strikes again with Vixen, and will hopefully receive the right promotion for the track.
RISING SUN RIDDIM by Chimney Records
The Rising Sun Riddim by Chimney Records, is a contemporary acoustic-guitar driven reggae production, featuring songs by Tarrus Riley, Chronixx and Kabaka Pyramid, Jah Cure, Zagga, Bramma, Singing Sweet and Kibaki, I Octane, Demarco, Christopher Martin, Kelissa, and Tessanne Chin. Tessanne Chin’s Anything’s Possible on the project, is the first local release featuring the songstress, since her ongoing tenure on NBC’s The Voice.
YOU GIRL by Shaggy ft. Ne-Yo Jamaican Reggae-Pop act Shaggy is no stranger to mainstream success, and he aims for more global chart placements with You Girl. You Girl is produced by the legendary Sly & Robbie, with chorus duties handled by American R&B singer Ne-Yo. With Shaggy’s baritone toasting on the verses, complimented by Ne-Yo’s vocal chops, You Girl is Shaggy’s strongest offering since Sugarcane.
GRADE by Keznamdi
Reggae Revival artiste Keznamdi, has been inching closer to a breakout single with each new addition to his growing catalogue. His latest showing is the Dub Reggae anthem Grade, produced by Don Corleon. Grade, as the title suggests, is a song about Jamaica’s finest illegal export, laced with enough bass to be a sound speaker favourite worldwide. This is another big step for Keznamdi into mainstream reggae presence. November Issue | SLEEK 43
FEATURE
Samantha J
Samantha J, a 17 year-old from Ocho Rios, is potentially the next Jamaican act heading for international crossover success with her fast-rising debut single Tight Skirt. Tight Skirt is an uptempo dancehall-pop jam, produced by Jamaican hit-makers Washroom Entertainment. The song’s title is a namesake of the 1990’s dancehall classic by Red Rat. The song has been steadily making a splash globally, with Tight Skirt’s video already airing on MTV Buzzworthy, MTV Hits, and BET’s iconic 106 & Park.
SLEEK had the opportunity to conduct Samantha J’s first magazine photo-shoot, and had a chit-chat with the burgeoning Jamaican artiste. DESCRIBE YOUR HIT SINGLE TIGHT SKIRT? Tight Skirt is a dancehall-pop song about us girls being confident in how we look. It’s a self-love anthem that we made fun and catchy for everyone to relate to and dance to.
WHAT’S THE CONCEPT OF THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR TIGHT SKIRT? The music video for Tight Skirt has an edgy rebellious school-girl concept. It was shot in Downtown Kingston, and directed by Scorpio 21. The video is influenced by Britney Spears’ ...Baby One More Time, with authentic fast-paced dancehall choreography and dancers. 44 SLEEK | November Issue
Outfit provided by
HOW DID TIGHT SKIRT CATCH THE EYES OF MTV AND BET? MTV and BET found out about Tight Skirt through the power of social media and my amazing fans. I consider my fans as family (we call each other J’s), and I’m grateful for their promotion of the track through social networks. Every tweet and post on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, helped to build the buzz for Tight Skirt to make its way onto American radio stations, MTV and BET. I am extremely grateful and thankful for the amazing support given to me by my J’s.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ALL THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR? It’s an awesome feeling to know that my childhood dreams are coming true. I want to be an Ambassador for Jamaica through my music, so it’s an honour to have the opportunity to represent my country on the international stage. I will do my best to make everyone proud.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR SAMANTHA J? I’m touring the East Coast of the United States with social media celebrity Andrea Russett. It’s a radio tour, where I’m promoting Tight Skirt, and she’s promoting her clothing line Flawd. I’m also working on new singles to be released, and finishing my first album.
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