Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine April 2018 | Page 738

About what attracted Judy to Dancehall
JUDY: What attracted me to Jamaican
Dancehall was first how much of it is a
reflection and expression of Jamaican lifestyle
and culture first and foremost. There is so
much history and significance. I respect
the importance Dancehall culture has in
Jamaican life whereby it provides a space for
the people to come together as a community
to party, create art, and hustle. There is a lot
of hustle in the Dancehall from the dancers,
selecters, artists, and vendors. Secondly, I love
the dancing, music, and the fashion. There
are so many fun dance steps and groovy
movements to enjoy. Thirdly, during my 2015
trip to Kingston, Jamaica I had the opportunity
to watch the 2015 International Dancehall
Queen competition live in Jamaica (Montego
Bay). The amount of creativity, dance skills,
courage, and physical strength the competitors
had really showed me how Dancehall can
be a platform to empower women to fully
express themselves and challenge themselves
athletically. From that experience as well as
hearing the Original Dancehall Queen Carlene
Davis speak in interviews I am really inspired
by what Dancehall Queen and female style
Dancehall dance + music is about: confidence,
self-love, independence, style, attitude, and
self-expression.