Soca Housewife

Dear WISY,

Two carnival seasons ago I was promised a shot at debuting as a soca artist.  The guy who promised me everything began to trouble me and eventually we started sleeping together.  I might be ridiculed for this but I only slept with him because I didn't want him to get angry and take back the opportunity.  I consistently slept with him and we even began having sex without protection.  I got pregnant and he told me I could kiss my dreams goodbye.  He told me no mother of his child would be allowed on stage wining up and having men lust after her. My heart sunk and I began to hate the child inside me for robbing me of the opportunity to be a soca artist.  He watched me closely and made sure I didn't try to get an abortion behind his back. 

Slowly I began to love the child growing in my belly. I accepted that my role would be that of a mother for now but always planned to continue on a path to my dreams. I had my baby and I left the man.  I am now seeing a close friend of his who also has ties to the industry.  People are telling him that I am just an opportunist but I actually love him. 

He is beginning to crack under all the pressure and he wants me to forget about my dreams and marry him and be a house wife.  I'm really beginning to think that is my role in life because twice I've been with someone who could help me but both want me to do the same thing.  Should I give up? 

Signed,
The Soca Housewife

Women In the Industry

(Dear WISY)

"I’m writing to tell you a little about what goes on in the entertainment industry.  I want people to know what female artists are faced with on a daily basis.  Let me make it clear that I am speaking about the Dancehall industry in Jamaica.  I’ve been told that female dancehall artists in other islands don’t get treated like we do, but that’s something for them to come talk about.  I can only talk about my own experiences.

I’m going to be as blunt as I possibly can and I would hope that you don’t edit my letter too much.  I’m not asking for advice nor do I need any.  I’ve learned all I need to know in my environment. 

The Dancehall industry in Jamaica is a disgrace as far as women are concerned.  First of all, there are too many women in the industry that don’t write for themselves.  Some producer decides to put one of his f8ck buddies on a riddim and writes all her lyrics and the b*itch can’t even hold a note.  The song is auto tuned to no end and that same song ends up in heavy rotation because of connects and links that the producer has not because the chick can actually sing/perform.

For those of us who can perform and write AND hold a note, we have to bring some lyrics that go above and beyond our male counterparts and when we get on stage we have to do Olympic level gymnastics for the crowd to give us a forward.  We thoroughly entertain and the show promoters won’t even give us the proper amenities back stage.  It’s a damn disgrace!

We have to deal with the rumours of sleeping with whomever we are working with.  If I do a collaboration with a male DJ does it automatically mean I am f*cking him?  Come on people!  I am talented and I’ve worked so hard to keep myself afloat in the industry but every day I am faced with some kind of judgment or stereotype.  It makes me want to leave Dancehall and pursue a career elsewhere.

As I said, this is just a little about the industry.  There’s a lot more that I could discuss, but I just want people to appreciate us more.  Respect the hard work we put in for your entertainment and stop the foolishness."

Groupie Tun Wifey

Dear WISY,

I was reading your blog and ‘Industry Wifey’ & ‘Classy Groupie’ stuck out to me the most.  I can relate to them because I was in both situations.  I was once the groupie and now I am the wifey.

I am here to tell you that groupies are to be feared because they do the things that “wifey” refuses to do.  I did all the things that were considered nasty and as a result the man couldn’t get enough.  I was his fantasy and now I am his reality.  I treated him like a king when his girlfriend complained about him being too lazy.  What she failed to realize is that the man works hard on the road to provide for his family and he should be rewarded for that.  All she did was complain and turn up her nose at the man’s wants and needs.  That’s why I’ve stepped in, moved in and moved her out.

Now, we’ve been an item for a little over 3 months and the loving gets better each time.  I make sure he doesn’t go looking elsewhere for some fun.  I change my hair regularly and make sure I look good each time he sees me.  When we go out, I make sure I am the eye candy of the event.  This way he has no time to look at others because he’s too busy watching the eyes that watch me.

So, to all the women who have time to be investigating certain familiar faces, make time to impress your man so you can keep him and not lose him to someone like me. ;-)

Signed,

Groupie Tun Wifey

Hidden For Too Long

The following is a letter from one of our readers who is on the up and ups in Dancehall.  Please feel free to comment and express your views on her situation.  Please keep it positive.  Thank you.

Dear WISY,

I am a struggling female artist in the dancehall reggae industry.  I fault myself for not following through and accomplishing my childhood goal of being famous.  I got caught up in the stories and false romances that swirl through this industry like a hurricane. 

I started off not realizing my own talent.  Everyone was impressed with my work except for me.  I soon stopped being my worst enemy and I began to write songs daily as if I was making a meal and had to do it to survive.  I couldn’t help but write.  Lyrics poured out of me full force and I dried the ink in my pens and exhausted all my notebook paper.  I recorded more than Vybz Kartel did between ‘08 and his arrest date.  So why am I not on tour performing?  Why am I not heard on the radio constantly?  Why?  Because I got caught up. 

I got caught up in the lyrics of others in the industry.  I fell for "his" lyrics knowing damn well that I myself should not be taken seriously because my words were just that—lyrics.  But somehow “he” was able to break through the tough persona of my lyrics and touch my heart the way a girl dreams of.  I put down my pen and paper for him. 

Meanwhile, he is still recording and gaining major recognition.   When I say major, I mean you’re probably familiar with his songs.  He would never be featured in this magazine because he is not underrated.  He’s made his name.  And me?  I am here writing my gripes to you.  I am like the silly girls I sing about.  I am so disappointed with myself.  One day, I may reveal myself.  Once I hit that top spot, I can write to you again and say, “Hey! Rememba mi?” LOL. 

My advice to any young female trying to buss in this dancehall business is to demand respect—especially if you have talent.  When I say have talent, I mean, nobody has to write a word for you, your voice sounds great on a riddim and you have stage presence.  Demand respect and if possible get a manager who truly has your best interest at heart.  Be wise and don’t let these guys fill your head with nonsense.  The ones that care will help elevate you, not try to get on top of you! - LITERALLY!

Mi gone write yaa.  I promise you will be getting an update from me soon.  Blessings WISY and all the best!

 

Signed,

Anonymous (for now)