By Curtis Campbell–The woman who most persons view as Jamaica’s first dancehall queen, Carlene, has been awarded by Black Music Promotions for her contribution to the culture of Jamaica’s popular music.The award is called the ‘Jamaica Pioneer of The Dancehall Award’ and was presented to the former dancer, at Club Amazura in New York, recently, as a lifetime achievement gesture.
When THE STAR contacted the former dancehall queen for comment, she said being presented with the award was humbling.
“I feel honored. Any award that you get from somebody who thinks you are worthy of it is very honorable. I think dancehall is now revolving, and I like that dancing is making a return, and that males and females are now dancing together,” she said.
She also commented on the state of dancehall music, stating that the genre is lacking in content.
“It is not as fun to me as it used to be, based on the content of the lyrics. They just don’t have as much substance and value. That is just my opinion. They need to put more Jamaican culture in the music, instead of just any old thing,” she said.
According to Carlene’s publicist, Shauna Fung Yee, the award was given to the former queen because she was a trendsetter, and helped to spread the dancehall culture across the world.
Carlene was one of the females who dominated the dancehall music scene in the ’90s, making cameos in the videos for several top flight dancehall acts including Chaka Demus and Pliers, Admiral Bailey and Beenie Man.
Her work also helped to pave the way for the now popular Dancehall Queen Competition, which gave birth to dancehall queens Latesha, Mad Michelle, Anika Headtop, Junku, Stacy, among others.
Carlene was also the first hardcore dancehall dancer to receive a corporate endorsement, and was the face of Slam condom for several years.
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