Dancehall divas Lady Saw (left) and D'Angel perform at the Reggae Sumfest launch party at Devon House on Wednesday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
"I have always been a diva ... I have just not had the attitude," declared Jamaica's queen of the dancehall and first female deejay to win a Grammy, Lady Saw.
There was reason for Lady Saw to reiterate or prove her statement to The Gleaner on Wednesday night just before she gave a scintillating and riveting performance at the Reggae Sumfest launch at Devon House in Kingston.
Without any deliberate effort, the unmatched first lady of dancehall easily confirmed Digicel's reason for choosing her as one of its ambassadors, leading their 2009 'Digicel Dancehall Divas' campaign when she set off sparks at the well attended and much anticipated run-up to the greatest reggae show on earth.
Settling all arguments, Lady Saw who donned new look couture was rippling, tantalising and seductive, even ladylike just as her name implies.
Cleared all arguments
Sharing the spotlight with dancehall's reigning fashion diva, D'Angel, the two cleared all arguments, giving the audience a sneak preview of what will take place in the Second City come Sunday, July 19, when the multimillion-dollar festival kicks off.
Unwrapped from life-sized Barbie doll boxes, and later unleashed on the crowd, Digicel used the two to electrify an audience that was left wanting more.
The mobile giants have always been supportive of Jamaican culture and, in particular, Jamaican music and this year they plan to wow and engage Sumfest lovers with their 'Divas of Dancehall' campaign, Wayne Miller, head of marketing at Digicel, told the audience.
"We are committed to promoting our music and Brand Jamaica, both locally and internationally. The partnership between Summerfest Productions and Digicel is a synergy designed to deliver to patrons and experience to remember," added Miller.
For D'Angel, her incredibly rewarding trip to the front row as one of Digicel's brand ambassadors was met with great enthusiasm. "I have been a diva since birth," she boasted to The Gleaner, flashing that famous smile.
Wearing skin-fitting spandex tights, drop-dead gorgeous shoes, heavy-looped earrings, a high-waist belt, red Neahlis blouse, carried off by a rhinestone inside get up, the diva said just being on the same promotion with Lady Saw was a lifetime achievement for her.
"I can't pay for this," she admitted, "but it boils down to what you stand for in life, this will serve to make me stronger."
Artistes
From July 19-25, Summerfest Productions will take over Montego Bay for the 17th staging of the annual Reggae Sumfest, which has attracted the likes of the 'doctor' Beenie Man, six-time Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton and Rhythm and Blues singer and songwriter, Ne-Yo, Nas, Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley, Inner Circle and the reigning prince of Reggae, Tarrus Riley, Jah Cure, Coco Tea and Morgan Heritage.
Dancehall Night, the biggest of them all, will see the likes of Bounty Killer, the high-riding dancehall 'Gully Gad' Mavado and his Alliance counterpart and top-flight artiste Busy Signal, the controversial female artiste, Spice and her cohort, Vybz Kartel, and the dancing dynamite Elephant Man at the Catherine Hall venue on Thursday, July 23.
janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com