MAGNUM DROP-OUTS CONFIDENT OF A COMEBACK

Last Saturday, a few jaws dropped as the second batch of finalists were sent home.

Saturday, March 21; Kingston, Jamaica: Common sentiments of "not giving up" seem to be on the lips of the first eight contestants to have been eliminated from the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall Competition.

The eight were eliminated over a two-week period from an equally divided total of 20 finalists. In the divided group, four contestants were sent home each week, two princes and two princesses. Medal Tally from the Montego Bay auditions and Triple Threat from Ocho Rios, the only group to have advanced to the TV rounds, and both women from the Kingston audition, Reggae Queen and Baby Glamorous.

Reggae Queen is not pessimistic about the result, stating: "I was happy to have entered the competition and be given the chance to show my talent to Jamaica. It exposed me and I'm glad for that and I know I can do more in entering the competition next time around." The deejay who previously confessed that her motivation came from her mother, now deceased, said: "This isn't the end for me and I will be doing some work on coming back."

The youngest contestant, Baby Glamorous, opined: "Things happen for a reason. What I need to do now is to learn from my mistakes and get back in the game."

Medal Tally expressed similar sentiments, outlining that giving up wasn't an option. He said: "When you believe in something, you can't stop at an obstacle."

Triple Threat should have been the most distraught; the group, after fighting individually at three auditions and being repeatedly turned down, came together as a group and were lucky to advance.

When questioned about not making it after all this effort, Dwayne 'Gansta Wasp' Forrester thanked those who supported the group and said: "We slip up some parts and we improving ourselves and working on getting back in the game because music is our passion."

Tattoo also said: "Things don't always turn out for the best the first time and you can't let that prevent you from achieving what you want. You just have to get up and try again."

T-Gee was the other female contestant in the second pool to make her way home. She said: "I was shocked, to tell you the truth. I was expecting to go through and I was so nervous just before the announcement of the persons going through, but there is always another year and time for you to improve, especially since we know what the judges and Jamaica is looking for."

The other two voted off the competition were Warrior and Neckoteen. Both expressed shock at their fate but professed continued determination and stated that it was not the end of the road for them as they were re-evaluating themselves while preparing for a comeback.

Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall continues with a weekly dose of good, clean lyrics. The competition is set to heat up as the final 12 contestants vie for top honours.

Watch TVJ every Saturday at 9 p.m., as the saga continues.

TEACHER BELIEVES IN MAGNUM STREET BOY POOR & BOASTY

Although there is significant evidence that both are more than just friends; Poor and Boasy and Debbie remain tight lipped on the matter.

Saturday, March 21; Kingston, Jamaica: 

As a female how far could one conversation take you, a relationship perhaps? …second thoughts? Debbie*, an early childhood teacher in the corporate area never had any such reservation; when she spoke with Poor & Boasy, now a finalist in the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall competition, she confessed.

“About three years ago I was walking home from work, I was a bit fatter and I remember him calling to me, ‘fluffy…mi like you’ or something to the effect, I turned and said something like ‘you can’t handle this’,” thus she began her narration of the story of how she met Omar Poor & Boasy Johnson or 'Ganja Man' as he was then known.

Debbie continued: “We began talking regular, because I always walked that side going home from work, so we had regular conversations about him and other things in the evenings.”

The early childhood teacher heard him singing one evening, and as a teacher would to her student she encouraged him to make something of his voice. She revealed: “He had this distinct voice that I could tell was fit for radio and music”. “I told him he had a good voice and that he should make something of it.” she opined.

Debbie, as she is affectionately called by Poor & Boasy, said this pushed her even more to get him off the street. “Talking with him you will realize that he is intelligent, and has something else to him and I was worried with all the police sometimes troubling the ‘street yute’.” With this as support Debbie said she began telling him about competitions on TV that could help…at that time Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall had already started so we had to wait until last year’s to auditions,” commented Deborah.

Omar Johnson revealed what motivated him to enter Magnum Kings & Queens of Dancehall: “I entered the competition because this teacher I’m talking with told me that she saw potential in me and that I could become more, she believe in me and I tried it.” 

We queried two back-fence talks that Johnson has been living with Deborah for three years and that she was the mother of his daughter. Deborah revealed that: “he has a daughter with a street girl and that was before me”. “…at three months I advised him to take the child from her (the mother) because she wasn’t caring for her (the baby) properly.” 

She continued to tell how they have cared for the child together, “…now everything is well with her at one year and four months and he has been a good father to her.”

Deborah continued: “I look out for him and I will call his friends and ask if they know where he is if I don’t see him and tell them to tell him to come home to me.”  Although there is significant evidence that both are more than just friends; Poor and Boasy and Debbie remain tight lipped on the matter. Debbie maintains:  I do it because I’m concerned for him and I think he has so much potential to be a great entertainer.

 *Name changed to protect her identity.

EMPRESS IMPRESSES ON MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS OF DANCEHALL

This success in creating the perfect dancehall image transcends the tangible and manifests itself in 

the vibe she creates onstage.

 

For a television show to be successful, a lot depends on the approach, personality and style of the host. Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall has thus drawn for the multi-talented reggae singer, radio presenter and MC Camielle Mullings, otherwise known as Empress. 

Returning for the second season of Jamaica's premier dancehall talent show, the young dynamo, who has performed at various shows locally and has also graced the stage in Japan, among other countries, believes a show like Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall is perfect for her. 

"I think I have the personality of a strong, empowered humanitarian and a humble musician with a poetic vibe to spread positivity throughout the world," said an energetic Empress while liming with the contestants after the first live show last Saturday. 

Dressed in a splendid yellow dress and styled by image guru Dexter '3D' Pottinger, Empress epitomises confidence and grace. This success in creating the perfect dancehall image transcends the tangible and manifests itself in the vibe she creates onstage. 

"I believe the key to being successful on any show is creating a connection with the audience; showing who you truly are," she commented. Commenting on how she makes the show reflect her personality while still maintaining the genuineness of dancehall, Empress said, "dancehall music has developed over the years and has come to be a dynamic and ever-evolving genre with various artistes bringing their variety and continuing its growth". 

She continued: "Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall is a true example of this; fresh talents are being unearthed who continue to replenish the music, so for me it's all about dynamism and style and talent." 

When asked about connecting with the contestants, Empress says she believes the competition allows the contestants to reach out to many, including the media fraternity. 

"The competition helps the contestants to develop relevant business relationships and show their talent to the wider public," she offered. As a media personality, Empress is committed to helping the contestants achieve this goal."For me, I assist where I can by having contestants, including those who have dropped out, and the winners, on my programme 'The Corner' on Newstalk 93 FM," she said.