By Stevens Muendo
Jamaican sensational dancehall star Denyque Dontre is in town.
She arrived early Thursday accompanied by her manager Jade Lee and publicist Brandon Allwood.
Denyque was given arousing welcome by hordes of fans who braved the morning chill to meet her at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
"This is a gorgeous country. I’m glad to be in Kenya," said the 21-year-old award-winning songstress famed for her Summer Love and Hooked on Me hits.
"It’s my maiden visit to Africa. I have read a lot about the beauty of Kenya, the beautiful parks and landscape. I’m sure we’ll have a good time here," noted the singer, who has taken the showbiz world by storm.
Together with Kareem QQ Dawkins, another Jamaican teen wonder popularly known for singles Skip To My Lou and RumRam, Denyque will headline this year’s Chaguo La Teeniez’ (CHAT) awards at Carnivore grounds on Saturday.
The Insyder Magazine-supported bonanza is sponsored by Safaricom, Nokia and The Standard Group.
The two kids on the block have joined an array of young Jamaican musicians, among them Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Bramma, Sean Kingston and Alaine, who have revolutionalised dancehall music, a reggae sub-genre which originated in their country in the 1970s.
Singing beauty: Denyque appears destined for greatness. |
Faster beats
"The initial dancehall music was a sparse version of reggae than roots style. The current sound is considerably transformed. It is now characterised by faster rhythms and beats," she noted, adding that dancehall reggae is set to take international showbiz by storm.
Bubbling with optimism to conquer the international market, the rather humble and brilliant straight A-student, maintains her music passion is limitless.
"I have had such a passion and drive for music since I was in high school. It’s amazing and at the same time humbling for me to have hit stardom at such an age. People see me as the next (Robyn) Rihanna, a fact that puts so much pressure on me. Regardless, I’m taking one step at a time," she remarked.
Passion for music
The singing beauty is lively and affable, and has reached a level of musical maturity that is far beyond her years; she promises to be one of Jamaica’s finest. She is determined to take her place in music history.
After winning several medals in the Jamaica National Festival song competitions at the tender age of 11, Denyque went on to be a straight "A" student at the Belair High School in Mandeville, Jamaica. After graduating with honours in 2008, financial constraints prevented her from accepting admission to the Berklee School of Music in Boston in the same year.
But Denyque still couldn’t resist her musical calling and decided to keep following her passion.
A tutelage under Phillip "Junior Arrows" Linton steered her to her first hit single, Can’t Breathe, in 2009. She followed it up with another hit single Pieces, produced by veteran producer Don Corleon, and then continued honing her skills
| Denyque Dontre |
After her stint with Arrows management, Denyque’s chance meeting with Jade Lee CEO of Jade Promotions sealed a new management deal in early 2010.
"Denyque is one of a kind. She is carved for international stardom. Our first major step with her is to release her debut album this year," Denyque’s manager Jade Lee told The Standard in an exclusive interview.
"We already have an offer to get her signed to a top international recording company. After signing the deal, we will then shift our focus to America and the international market," Lee disclosed.
Besides Hooked on Me and Summer Love, the adored upcoming singer will perform her other seven singles during the Carnivore show.
They include That Place, Can’t Breathe, Now what am I used To, Supergirl, Oh so Good, Pieces and Jugglin Hearts.
"Nairobi is the epitome of dancehall music in Africa. I will not let my fans down come tomorrow," Denyque assured.
