the dancehall queen
www.dancehallqueen.net

by montana

Everyone’s dancing, the lights are low, music is loud and all is pure vibes. Before you know what’s happened, everyone in your area of the dance floor has parted to form a wide circle; a wide circle to give her room. Who is she? The Dancehall Queen, of course.

There’s always one- one who manages to gain more attention than anyone else. Perhaps, it’s because she is more outrageous in dress, dance or attitude, of maybe it’s because of her amazing ability to dance as well on top of her head on a chair as she dances on her feet. No matter what her claim to fame, the Dancehall Queen is sure to be the center of attention in any dance she attends.

In 1997, the movie Dancehall Queen was released, and for the first time, the world of the Queens was brought to the masses on the big screen. Finally, one didn’t have to brave the crowds, and music to witness the world of beauty, custom clothing and competition.

The first dancehall queen to gain mainstream fame was Carlene Smith. In 1991, Carlene organized a fashion competition in Cactus Nightclub in Portmore, St. Catherine Jamaica and after winning she became known as the first, Dancehall Queen. Now, involved in various projects in Jamaica from music to her own television show and promotion for Slam Condoms, Carlene (who also happens to be the mother of Beenie Man’s child) made it to the top with her outrageous custom made costumes, her poise, glamour and confident dancing style.

In the beginning, the world of the Dancehall Queen, was strictly a Caribbean thing. But, fast forward to 2002, Montego Bay Jamaica for their annual Dancehall Queen competition. The competition is known for bringing hopeful dancers from all over the island to compete for the coveted official Dancehall Queen title. 2002 brought a surprise to Jamaica though, in the form of a 24 year old woman by the name of Junko ‘Bashment’ Kudo. Junko, in every way, resembled the typical Dancehall Queen hopeful of the era-skimpy clothing, outrageous headtop wines, except for one difference-Junko is Japanese and came all the way from Japan to compete. For the first time ever, a non-Jamaican took the title of the Dancehall Queen.

Now, in 2004, the concept of the queen is still similar to its roots. She still must demand attention in dance and style of clothing but nowadays gymnastics plays a big part of the competition. The winner must be very flexible and creative in her moves, which makes for a very exciting time for anyone who happens to witness a war of queens. In cities all over America, Canada and in many other parts of the world, women spend tremendous amounts of energy, time and effort to make sure that their dancing moves get them noticed in hopes of becoming the next Queen. Of course, Jamaica is still the Mecca of the Dancehall Queen competition, but many cities have their own Queens, elected through stiff competition, across the world.