Interview With Female Entertainer SPICE

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

"Su Dushi" [DUSHI (doo-she) means sweetheart in our local DUTCH CARIBBEAN tongue, papiamento/u] invaded my good friend, Dane Bogles' desk waiting to SPICE up my life by the super-star guest visitor in the house.

It was a pretty calm day at VP records, THE  intentional Caribbean powerhouse, home to acts such as KONSHENS, GYPTIAN, BUNJI AND FAY ANN LYONS, SEAN PAUL, BERES HAMMOND, SANCHEZ, SHAGGY and many more Caribbean genres, international stars. In 2008 to 2009, anyone who knew me, hung out at my house (which served as the pre-game before "DI LIME" spot) or even to turn their radios on at all, couldn’t escape the sounds of 'THE TEACHER' & 'AH SPICE' with their mega Mash up hit "Romping Shop". Many times we would hear the MISS INDEPENDENT Riddim, also done by R&B singer and mega-super star producer, NEYO and hold our breath to hear the seductive lyrics of the reggae SUPER can! Vybz Kartel was (at the time), proved to be THE most talented, yet controversial and long-standing, internationally renowned "permanent" fixture on the CARIBBEAN scene with years of MASH UP hits such as: "HELLO MOTTO", "SO MEH SAY", "TIGHT GYAL DEM"  "LOVE" and "VIRGINITY" were only a few of the massive list of hit songs that the dancehall genius would deliver to the scene. The reigning, lyrical innovator and prince of dancehall, KARTEL aka Adidja Palmer wasn't the only voice that made masses around the world go crazy over THE ROMPING SHOP phenomenon. The sweet, yet, cleverly slack (raunchy) female MC appropriately named SPICE, stood her own, and to most, better than her male co-star, Dj Palmer just as fellow Caribbean Queen, Nicki Minaj did with J and Kanye in "MONSTER".

 

As she ended her interview before she came over to THE C.A.B station (aka. DANES' DESK) the fun-sized, brown skinned beauty, sporting her blue hair simply asked before we got started “Can I just put on a likkle more lip gloss before we start?"

A girl after my own heart!

I smiled and said "sure" as I began to set up the audio for our exclusive Q and A. We are, on some level, familiar and LOVING the spice, but now its time for the CHARISMATIC and, ever-so sufficient GRACE

 

STARLISA: YOU KNOW YOU COOK FOOD, WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES THE FOOD SO GOOD?

Spice: It’s the “Spice”

STARLISA: EXACTLY!

Spice: Without de spice it nah go niiiiiiicceeeee, haha!

STARLISA: WHICH SPCE WOULD YOU BE IN THE DANCEHALL SCENE AND WHY?

Spice: I am the SALT, in Dancehall because without SALT in your food, it has no flavor and I am also a likkle peppah, to make it spicy. I, also provide that in DANCEHALL because I am always coming with something different. Whether it's my performance, my entry on stage, from my lyrics to my blue hair and shoes that I wear, I am pepper.

STARLISA: YOU DEFINITELY ARE! NOW, THE MECCA OF TRINIDADIAN EVENTS IS CARNIVAL. TO ME, THE JAMAICAN EQUIVILENT [TO ME] WOULD BE ‘STING’!

Spice: Right!

STARLISA: FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN, TAKE US THROUGH THE STING EXPERIENCE

Spice: OK, so you have never been to a STING, it's a big music festival, nuff people, ah come I hear the music, but also see a good (she pauses) ah GREAT SHOW! But, it is a tough crowd (she lowers her sunshades so she can see me clearly in my eyes) the people dem, the audience WILL "Boo!" you. They will take their bottle and "lick it" [throw it] at you, laugh at you, rate you; it's a rough crowd. People dem are a NO NONSENSE crowd, even a veteran like BEENIE MAN will tell you; I get BOO-ed at STING, BOUNTY KILLER will tell you; I get BOO-ed at STING... DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE, That's STING. However, over the years I have managed to govern that crowd. They call me "MUMMA" [MOTHER] of STING because every year I go I just bring it, not only fuh mi looks (that earned me another lower of her glasses to show me a clever wink), but, for my lyrics, which are always quite whitty.

STARLISA: INDEED. AND NO MATTER HOW SEXY OR RAUNCHY THE CONTENT, YOUR DELIEVERY IS IMPECABLE AND YOUR WORK ETHIC AS A DANCEHALL PRINCESS IS INCOMPORABLE, AND JUST SO DAMN SMOOTH!

Spice: "That's what they love about the brand SPICE". (She proclaims with humble confidence.) "Always bringing something different. Yuh just cyan DARE me, she confesses as she belts out a wicked laugh, I WILL DO IT ... and that's just ME!

STARLISA: SO, DOES THAT COME FROM WHERE/OR/HOW YOU WERE BROUGHT UP IN PORTMORE, JAMAICA W.I? HOW HAS IT CONTRIBUTED TO MOLDING THE ‘NO-NONSENCE’ DANCEHALL DIVA THAT WE SEE TODAY?

Spice: Well, I was born and half my life raised there and then I left Jamaica and lived in England for a while to live with my grandparents. Funny enough, I was actually brought'll up by doing di likkle "Christian ting" singing In the choir and all of that, (as she takes a second to reminisce about the events of her Christian upbringing as she proceeds with caution with her words) the word I am looking for, "BRUCK OUT"  me nah no whey meh BRUCK OUT from (LOL) you know when dem say she "BRUCK OUT" because I was a likkle Christian gyal In church. So I think the whole dancehall arena is what made me come

STARLISA: NOW, UNLESS, ESPECAILLY IN EARLIER TIMES, NO CAIRBBEAN MUSIC THAT DIDN’T FEATURE A MAJOR AMERICAN ACT WAS HARDLY EVER PLAYED ON MAJOR WORLD WIDE SCALE. BUT, THEN, THERE WAS “THE ROMPING SHOP” THAT INVADED HOT 97, POWER 105.1 AND EVEN 103.5 KTU’S AND Z100 WITHOUT APOLOOGY IN 2008/2009. E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y [ESPCIALLY MYSELF], WERE JUST IN AWE OF THE SONG LYRICAL CONTENT, RIDDIM [SAME USED IN NEYO’S MISS INDEPENDENT] AND CHEMISTRY BETWEEN YOU AND THE SELF-PROCLAIMED ‘WORLD BOSS’ VYBZ KARTEL, TAKE ME BACK TO THAT TIME, HOW DID YOU FEEL?

Spice: I felt great! It's still hard for me to describe exactly into words. My phone was ringing from places I have never even heard of, wanting to talk, fly me out for shows and interviews. My sister would say ‘someone wants to talk to you from [fill in the blank] and I would be like ‘WHERE?!!’ The song Romping Shop went to all corners of the world, and it felt amazing travelling with them (Grace, takes a moment to reminisce and draws a deep but satisfying breathe) … it was overwhelming (she laughs) STAR, I CANNOT USE JUST ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE IT! It was just AMAZING, I couldn’t even understand the pandemonium.

STARLISA: VYBZ, IS A LYRICAL MASTER. MANY PEOPLE FROM FAN TO INDUSTRY COMENTATORS SAY THAT YOU ARE HIS FEMALE COUNTERPART AS IT COMES TO HOW YOU BRAND “SPICE”, YOUR LYRICAL CONTENT AND YOUR WORK ETHIC. HOW DOES THE COMPARISON MAKES YOU FEEL?

Spice: It’s a HUGE compliment and I take it gracefully, its an honor to even hear that. He (Kartel), is one of THE BEST artists to come out of Jamaica.

STARLISA: So, you know I HAVE to go “THERE”, being with all of the allegations to clearly someone who not only you, but everyone regards as such a megastar, against Vybz Kartel and his trial. Can you share with us a little bit of not “VYBZ KARTEL”, but Adidja Azim Palmer?

Spice: Working with him was absolutely amazing! He is TOTALLY different from the ‘person’ that the public is trying to paint. He is so sweet, always giving me trouble, always ah give joke, you know that pure, kind of JOVIAL person? THAT’S who DJ PALMER is. I know NOTHING and no one else! This other ‘person’ that the media around the world is talking about, I have never met ‘HIM’.

STARLISA: THAT IS SUCH A REFRESHING POINT OF VIEW AND ONE UNFORTUNEATLY, AS YOU HAVE SAID. WE DON’T HEAR ENOUGH OF!

Spice: ”INDEED! (With a sparkle of an English accent coming out, she replies)

STARLISA: OK DEN, BACK TO THE SPICE! WHAT CAN BE ANXIOSLY BE AWAITING FROM YOU IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS?

Spice: MORE HOT MUSIC!

STARLISA: AND……….?

Spice: HAHA! And, I want to visit my fans and spend time getting to know them, getting them to know me as my own entity. I want to go to AFRICA most definitely. I will continue to be one of the leading females in DANCEHALL because I am going to lock myself inna di studio and write and sing and produce until I cannot anymore! I took a break for a while because the BUSINESS and INDUSTRY got very frustrating and, you know, sometimes its like meh cyan [can’t] bother ESPECAILLY AS A WOMAN. But, definitely more HOT music like ‘SO MEH LIKE IT’! I love that song!

STARLISA: AND SO DO WE! IT WAS AN AMAZING COME BACK. NOW YOU MENTIONED THAT THE BUSINESS GETS FRUSTATING, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR WOMEN COMING INTO THE INDUSTRY?

Spice: Number One would be, GIVE RESPECT TO GET RESPECT! But, more importantly, when I come to work and record, I am not in any JOKING thing with anybody. I make it known that I am here to record, and make good music and then meh go inna meh yard! When you smile up and “giggy giggy” men can read you easily! You act easy, you treated as easy. Bottom line.

As we wrapped up with her doing a few drops for THE C.A.B [718cab.com] CARIBBEAN AMERICAN BUZZ and setting up plans to have drinks at my good friend, international SELECTA and official tour DJ for GYPTIAN, DJ SPIN CITI at his weekly WASTED WEDNESDAYS at SQUADZ in Brooklyn, New York, I realized that SPICE CYAN DONE, her beauty, sex appeal, intelligence, relentless work ethic and charm – not to mention SHE LIMIN’ STYLE! It was then time to pop in my RAGGA RAGGA compilation album, and pre-game before the night’s events. I was Brooklyn bound after a productive day of work. Work and play are an IMPORTANT balance to have!, Mi gent [peeps]. AH SO MEI LIKE IT!

 

By: Sharlisa Peterson

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Copyright 2014 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..
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Triple Threat: Songwriter, Singer & Dancer - the Talented Troydon

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Born in Portmore, Jamaica, Troydon started his musical career in 2009, when he recorded his first song ‘Help is Coming’, in collaboration with his younger brother – Intrestt.

Keeping it a family affair in n 2011 he recorded ‘Summer is Back Again’ with his elder brother – Allaboma (a former Magnum Kings and Queens finalist in Jamaica).

From the outset Troydon was driven and wanted to create a record label for the youth, for those who are determined to succeed and make a difference to their life and that of others. Gidians Records was formed in 2009. The logo designed by Troydon symbolises angel wings and the messengers of Jah. They are also believed to be a symbol of protection, thus relating to guardian angels which have long been a symbol of spirituality, protection and love.

 

To date Troydon has released 4 albums under the Gidians Records label. His debut album called 'D#1' was released in 2009 and his second 'Jamaica' in 2011. His third album ’The Voice’ was released in the Spring of 2012 to critical acclaim both in Jamaica and abroad and made 'album ofthe week' on a UK radio station. In June 2013 he released his latest album in 'Looking From The Inside Out'.

 Troydon was inspired to write the one-drop album following his promo visit to the UK in February earlier this year. He wanted to release an album that would reach out to listeners of all ages - enabling them to relate to the heartfelt sound of reggae music through the mix of rock-steady beats and soul music. Great tracks on the album include 'Inside Out', 'Moving Forward' and 'Long Time Soul Mate'.

 Over the last 18 months Troydon has been working with a Personal Promoter based in Norwich, UK resulting in greater exposure with air play on numerous radio stations in the UK and the USA and the development of a website (www.gidiansrecords.com) and a merchandise line. This led to Troydon being selected to be featured in a vote off to perform at the British Reggae Industry Awards (BRIA) 2013 at the Indig02 in the UK in February 2013. Troydon came a close 2nd - a great achievement for any upcoming artist. He made a visit to the UK to attend the event and carry out a series of live radio interviews across the UK. The trip was a big success and has raised his profile both within the UK and overseas through the internet radio stations and exposure within magazines/newspapers.

 

In establishing himself as a singer/songwriter - Troydon is getting recognition for his work across the globe through his heartfelt lyrics based on personal experiences. It was as a result of this that a songwriter - Jesse Rae, contacted Gidians Records having heard his music - suggested that Troydon record a reggae version of the classic 80s track he had written for Odyssey - Inside Out. Troydons' track was recorded in January 2013 and has led to acclaim within the BBC and across other radio stations in the UK. Troydons 2nd trip to the UK during June '13 consisted of headlining the Marlow Town Regatta, a series of radio and promo events across East Anglia and London - focusing on the launch of his latest album.

 

CEM Getting personal with Troydon with a Q & A

How did you get into the music?

Music is natural, so I didn't want 'get into music' - it has been inside of me since creation.  Without music I don't think there would be me - life

You started out as a dancer when did you decide you wanted music to be your career? 

Thinking about the reality in the dancehall fraternity, it is hard to make a career as a dancer.  I have a passion for both elements but the truth is in music I can make a difference and make life better for me and others - family, friends and fans.

I know you are from a family of singers, what did they do to encourage you?

I was introduced to singing by my mother who taught me how to hum songs from a tender age which also helps me to love music more. In advance this is the turnout - it grows as a passion inside and as a result became a career for me.

Do you try to give messages in your songs? And if so, what are they? 

Yes I do, my message is to show the world and the people that I love, the truth and reality of what life truly is about and to heal the broken vines of the ones needing help.

Do you write your own music?

Yes.

What inspires your writing?

Reality is what inspires me in my writing and I also use it as a weapon to put good over evil and love over hate.

Your songs are honest and stimulating.  What do you try to convey to your listeners?

Manufacture love; eradicate hate which is also the vision of my record label - Gidians Records.

Anyone you would like to collaborate with? Why?

Two souls that are gone but not forgotten - Michael Jackson and Bob Marley.  The reason why is because in my eyes, they were angels performing the works of the almighty and I can say job well done and respect to Michael Jackson and Bob Marley.  But nevertheless, in reality I would like to do collaboration with Celine Dion because she has a voice that inspires and touches the hearts of people.

If you could experiment in another genre of music, what would it be?

All genres.  The reason is because I want to reach out to the world in all forms, shapes and sizes.  It is also for the vision of my label to demonstrate positivity and for the people to hear this message through my music.

Where would you most like to perform?

Africa.  I would feel I would have a closer connection with my ancestors, my spirituality would grow and also my energy would be in the right place.

What kind of music do you listen to today?

Today I listen to soul reggae music.  I also listen to songs from other genres that have the right lyrics that gives me inspiration to inspire others.

If you weren't singing, what would you be doing?

Dancing.  It is also part of my ability to express myself to people in ways that do not involve verbal interactions.

Do you play any instruments?

Yes the drums - djembe, Congo, kette, jun jun etc. which are all from Africa.  My desire is also to learn how to play modern instruments of the western world because it will enable me to have a full grounding of my career in music.

Best advice ever given?

Be real - being realistic helps you to get closer to people. Being fake will only lead to people drawing away from you later in life.

Do you think reggae music is losing its ground?

No. Reggae music has the background of its creator, also still coming from the heart of the people.  Most people think it is losing its background because others are trying to create reggae music in their own way which brings it to a point of competition in the music industry.  But the ground still stands, reggae music lives in the people that created it - the Jamaican culture which comes from Africa.

What’s next for you, what are you currently working on?

Taking the big step of helping others to create positive sound and music to inspire others to keep the goodness and love of humanity alive.

 

Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..

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An Interview with Filmmaker Claudja Barry on "Losing Paradise and Music”

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Recording Artist & Filmmaker Claudja Barry  has a film "Losing Paradise" which will debut in Canada on February 17 in honour of Black History Month.

Claudja is a Jamaica born singer and actress who has performed in the European versions of the stage musicals Hair and Catch My Soul. She is an award winning singer with nine gold records and 2 platinum albums. In 1985, she appeared in the movie Rappin', starring Mario Van Peebles.

Claudja recently add filmmaker to her colourful  resume with her debut film "Losing Paradise and Music” , a documentary which  takes a look at Dancehall music and the belief that it contributes to the negativity of the culture.

CEM sat down with this multi-talented singer, stage and screen actress, Claudja Barry for a Q &A

 

Tell us about yourself?

I am a singer actress who was born in Jamaica, migrated to Canada at 7. My schooling was done in Toronto and I studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre institute in New York. I studied voice in Berlin and Vienna. My goal was to be a classically trained opera singer. While having a trained classical voice I choose to move into the popular genre of music, only after doing Othello in the musical "catch my soul"

I joined a number of pop groups before becoming a solo artist. I am a Juno Award winner, as well as being one of the winners of the prestigious Tokyo Music festival. I have performed for the royal houses of Europe and for many heads of State including Pierre Trudeau and Helmut Kohl. I am the first black woman in Canada to sell millions of records, and I was inducted into the Canadian Black music hall of fame along with jazz icon Oscar Peterson. I have performed at some of the world’s best venues including Budokan Hall, Verona Arena, The Palace, Fredrich StadtPalast, and Frankfurter Opera. I am well read, traveled extensively. 

How is the transition from being an actress and singer to now a filmmaker?
It was a natural transition from in front of the camera to directing and writing. I felt I had a great of knowledge from my years of work and I wanted to write and direct in an area that I was passionate about. 

Can you tell us about the story for “Losing Paradise"?
"Losing Paradise and Music" deals with the impact this genre of music is having on society. The images that presented in this form of music are generally negative and I wanted have heard from a wide group their views. 

Why did you decide you do this documentary?
I needed to know if there were any redeeming qualities to take away from this music. The responses were alarming in their content. I spoke with psychologists, activists, family life specialists, doctors and musicians.

Bob Marley’s “One Love" , his message, his love of his fellow man and his concern for the welfare of his community resonates in his lyrics and music. I wanted to find out if his message of love respect and caring were prominent in the music of today which is dancehall, and if the current artists are holding up the standards set by Marley and those of his era.

Is this your first film?

This is my first film and definitely not my last.


Did you face a lot of opposition writing and directing this film from people who know you only as an actress?
No, I did not discuss this with anyone, as I know there would be many who would find ways to discourage me. I went out on faith. I needed to explore this subject for myself.  My music was happy fun and generally made you feel good.  

Why do you Dancehall, in general, seem to have such a negative influence on Jamaica’s culture?
I wanted to hear the good comments as well as the negative comments about dancehall.  It is in fact very popular, I wanted to know what is the fascination of it is to the public. It has a broad range of fans so I set out to get their thoughts and reactions.

Many people will say you didn’t grow up Jamaica, so you are not fully aware of its culture or music for you take a stand. What is your response to that?
I did not grow up in Jamaica, but I had parents who instilled specific attitudes and behaviours in me. In that last few years I have spent significant periods of time on the island. I have seen the erosion in attitude and behaviour over this time. I understand the cultural expressions of Jamaica and there are many. Over the years new attitudes that one can only described  as being detrimental to spirit and soul, are now being called culture. The power music should never be under estimated whether it's positive or negative.

How can the Jamaica music industry be reform back to the days of Bob Marley?
The music industry is being reformed, but we are not talking about the business of music, my film is more about the cultural spiritual and emotional effects of what is now being produced and broadcast. The content of the music. The emotional impact of the music. I am not for censorship at all, but we must realize that if you hear a specific kind of music constantly, without having an opportunity of exposure to anything else, then, you will believe what you are hearing and behave accordingly. We need balance.

We have a new generation of music listeners who are not use to the real roots reggae and are very much into “Dancehall reggae”, who wouldn’t agree that reggae music as lost its culture. What is your take on this?

I understand that there are a generation of listeners who have heard only dancehall reggae and obviously enjoy that form of music. I am not trying to change anyone's preference, but, there should be music appreciation in schools, so that from an early age, all children, would have knowledge of all types of music. I think that reggae music was laid out clearly by Bob Marley ... that music should be a healing and uniting force. The current form of dancehall reggae does not adhere in any way to those standards.

You make mentioned in the documentary that it is time for artists to take responsibility. How can they do that?

Music artists are for many young people the only role model they have. They are respected and emulated. So if the image that you project is that of a thug, or someone who has no respect for authority figures, or one that is homophobic, shows only disdain and disrespect for women, then your fans will take on the same behaviour and attitudes. If you show intolerance, indifference, disrespect, impatience, then, fans believe that's how life should be. 

Life is very difficult now, unemployment, financial problems, environmental disasters etc. all of that is making for a very volatile existence, then we add to all that, the chaos of having the "stars" of the  day record songs that tell you to be as bad as you wanna be just to get over? How can that be a society that will grow thrive and give credence to its citizens?


That is not how we should be living.  You can pass as many laws and make life rigid, you can censor everything we hear and see, but to what result.

Is there any Jamaican/reggae artiste that you see that is being a good example of what “reggae music’ standard should be
Taurus Riley, is one that comes to mind, he is wonderful, Romaine Virgo, super talented, Jimbolee, and Bones Stennett.

Where can readers see this documentary?
The documentary will be aired in 'Canada. Black History Month 2013.

What is your next film project?
I plan to expand this project to a full length movie using some actors .

Are you doing any upcoming project in terms of your singer career?
I am doing a project  now and I plan to have among the songs on the cd the Joe Cocker song "up where we belong" as the theme song, done as a reggae .

You are an R&B singer; will you ever do a reggae song?
This new project is a combination of reggae and fusion music. 

Any advice for upcoming artistes?
My only advice to anyone going into the music industry, is they should learn the business of being in it by taking business management courses, learn to take control of your career. Have a good education and learn the craft seriously. 

 

 

Trailer for “Losing Paradise and Music”

Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..

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Meet the Real "Kym Hamilton" - Back With a Vengeance

Friday, November 9, 2012

It has been two year since Kym Hamilton, the artist formerly known as Gaza Kim, left the Gaza Empire.

 

Back with a new name, new attitude and new management KYM is determined more than ever to reap success. .

As a teenager the singer was discovered by Vybz Kartel, but she was no stranger to the public as she already had some success in televised talent Competitions in Jamaica like the famed Digicel Rising Stars, Tastees Talent Search and Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall. Before that she'd tasted local success winning medals as a member of her School Choir.

In 2008 KYM she was introduced to Kartel, where she was signed under his management as a member of the GAZA Empire and was given the name Gaza Kim. Kartel had no reservation in signing KYM, saying "Kim has the ability to go very very far in the music business".

KYM  is known for songs such as 'Teenage Pregnancy', ' Amen', 'Bills' (also Ft: Lisa Hype), and a remake of Shabba Ranks' 'Twice My Age' with her then mentor, Kartel and 'I Love You' served to consolidate her promise as a hit maker.

Bounty Killer Alliance

While at a nightclub in Kingston KYM was approached Bounty Killer – an artist renowned for recognizing and nurturing young talent. KYM become an affiliate of Bounty Killer's Alliance organization and released tracks like 'Haffi Come Back', 'Bubble', 'When We're Apart', 'Whine Pon It', 'Hush and 'Got To Go Right Now'.

 2011 was a great year for KYM as was nominated for the Best International Female Artist Award at the British Reggae Awards with two of her heroes – Tanya Stephens and Queen Ifrica.

KYM is currently signed to Dejavu Records and label own by Jermaine Black who has produced Beenie Man's Sign Up and Junior Reid's These Streets.

 

CEM sat down with Kym Hamilton to learn more about this beautiful and talent young lady.

 

We know you as an Entertainer; tell us about the real Kym Hamilton

I am a very jovial person, in my spare time i enjoy designing the weirdest things. 

Many of your fans know you as “Gaza Kim” but you are now going by the names Kym Hamilton and Alliance Kym. Can you clarify the names?

Ok I was a member of the Portmore Empire and was given the name Gaza Kim, After I left the group in 2010 I decided to go by my given name Kim Hamilton but I changed the "I" in Kim to "Y'. Then when I started working with the Alliance the fans started calling me Alliance Kym, but I’m the same person, so any name you call me I’ll answer,

What made you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?

I've loved music from an early age, but I made the leap in high school when I entered the high school choir. and everything just blossomed from there.

You have been in and won many competitions before you became famous. What were some of those competitions and what was it like?

I entered contest like, All together sing with my high school choir, Digicel Rising Stars, magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall and Tastee talent search. It was fun entering these contests but very nerve wrecking.

How did you get discovered by Vybz Kartel?

I gave his Girlfriend Shorty a copy of my promotional CD he heard it and loved what he heard and decided to sign me to his record label.

You left “Gaza Empire” and you are now re-branding yourself what are your biggest challenges?

The biggest problems I’m facing now is getting air play and letting the fans know that Kym Hamilton is the same Gaza Kim.

You were working with Bounty Killer's Alliance, what was that like?

Working with Bounty Killer and the Alliance family is fun. They are very professional and its music all the time. There is never a dull moment when you are at the studio with the alliance family

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing your own lyrics?

I draw inspiration from situations I’ve been, family, the people around me and society in general the good and the bad.

What is your favorite song that you have written?

Got to go right now, it was produced by payday music of the Alliance on the luv mood riddim

What kind of music do you listen to?

Hip hop, pop, reggae and dancehall

Where would you most like to perform?

Africa 

How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

I just keep going, because sometimes you make a mistake and it’s not noticed by the fans but if you stop to check yourself that’s when a little mistake becomes a big deal

What artist you are you dying to collaborate with?

Queen Ifrica and Tanya Stephens

If you weren't singing, what would you be doing?

Designing, I love fashion

Who is your favorite artist that you have had the opportunity to meet, and why?

Busy Signal, he is an inspiration to young up coming artist and I like that about him

What are you currently working on?

I have a few riddims that I’m writing on right now and promoting my latest video "The Groove" ft the St. Lucian Artist Ieashaa


What advice do you have for a young and upcoming female?
Hard work and persistence is the key. Never give up and you'll succeed, because has a female we have to work twice as hard.

Where can your fans purchase your music?

They can visit my Reverbnation page www.reverbnation.com/kymhamilton or by visiting ITunes and search for Kym Hamilton.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself travelling from all corner of the earth to grace the nations with my music and being able to use my music in all ways possible to help and create better situations for the less fortunate.

Moving forward and now being signed to Dejavu Records what can the fans look forward to hearing from your new image?

I will be doing Dancehall, Reggae and some cross overs. I am changing the image but not the message so the music will continue to inspire. I want to make music that everyone can relate to on one or more levels.

What advice would you give an aspiring artist that is just trying to get into the music industry?

Get connected to the right people. The right connections can lead to success avoid quick or two minutes buss, because it's gonna be for a minutes, find something that can last a life time.

 

 

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