GOSSIP GIRLS

It’s coming towards the end of 2007. It’s the time of year when most young women are mapping out a career game plan, nervously awaiting the dawn of a new year. But Cherine Anderson, 25, Ce’Cile Charlton, 31, and Alaine Laughton, 29, – who all seem to live their lives in fast-forward – are taking the next steps in establishing themselves as the dancehall-soul phenoms to rival all others.

But, don’t get me wrong – like many of us, they’ve had to overcome hurdles and heartaches on their journey to happiness and taking the lead in their own lives. Today, after years of creative and personal growth, they have blossomed into strong, independent, successful and confident women, who know who they are and what they’re about.

Alaine, considered among the country’s top songwriters, is currently putting the finishing touches to her debut album, Sacrifice, which hits the music shelves later this month. Cherine, who has scored recent collaborations with Sir Paul McCartney and Wyclef Jean, delivers her first album, 876 for Life, next March. Ce’Cile, whose album Bad Gyal is a current favourite in Japan, is gearing up to release both the European and North American versions soon.

We recently invited the three hard-working women to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston for an open and honest conversation among girlfriends – which also served as an afternoon of laughter, sisterhood bonding and catching up. We quickly learned that while they’re having a fantastic 2007 – releasing hit singles, touring and performing all over the world – they, too, are eagerly awaiting 2008, hoping to greet and enjoy the new year as improved versions of their talented and gorgeous selves.

all woman: What kind of year has it been for you?

Ce’Cile: The year has been fabulous (Laughs). I think I put in some really hard work this year and got some good songs that the fans really love.

Alaine: It’s definitely been a year filled with positive things, meeting positive people and a lot of travelling. I got to put out some really good music and I am so ready for next year (Laughs).

Cherine: I definitely made some inroads this year and got very good reaction from the fans. Outside of Jamaica, a lot of people are getting to see Cherine. So I just hope to continue spreading my wings and pleasing the fans.

all woman: You each had that one undeniable hit this year that the fans still can’t get enough of. For Ce’Cile, that hit song is definitely Waiting; for Alaine it most certainly is Rise in Love, while Cherine stunned everybody with Kingston State of Mind. Speak on that.

Ce’Cile: For me, Waiting was a song about real experiences. And it is always good to get positive reactions from the fans. Sometimes your best experiences as an artiste happen when you’re on stage and the fans are enjoying the music and giving you a good vibe.

Cherine: Kingston State of Mind was very personal for me. I pulled from my past experiences and things that have happened around me and to see it make the kind of statement it has made, is just amazing.

Alaine: Rise in Love was a song that came from God above. I sing nuff love song but this one was really special. Like Cherine and Ce’Cile, I experienced a lot of things, rose above them and mirrored them in my music. When I first heard the rhythm, it immediately felt like love, so I knew I had to write a wicked song. I cried when I wrote it.

all woman: What is it like being women in the uber-competitive music industry? What are the real challenges?

Alaine: For women in the music industry, it’s empowering and it’s good. We can write, we can sing, we can act. We are talented and we are doing well at everything we do. It augurs well for the future and I think it is inspiring to other women out there.

Ce’Cile: I agree with Alaine. It’s been lovely. As far as challenges go, we are not daunted by any pressure. It’s really what you put out that you get back. You have to command certain respects. And with more of us entering the music industry, it’s getting better and better for us.

Cherine: I believe in being free and I don’t apologise for that. Today, we have a bunch of women in the biz who own their stuff. There has also been the rise of different types of female artistes and it’s looking good. As women, we think ahead.

all woman: It’s a very diverse array of female artistes we are seeing these days: from Tanya Stephens to Etana to Ce’Cile to Queen Ifrica. Is it that opportunities are now opening up for women in our music industry more than ever?

Ce’Cile: Choosing music is definitely more viable nowadays, so naturally more females are moving towards it.

Cherine: Good things are happening for women but we are still competing with the men for air-time and even when you go to perform at some stage shows, there are no provisions made for females. Not even restrooms, and that needs to change.

Ce’Cile: As women, we have to be smart and there are certain things we need to look into. The young females especially need to realise that it is not always about the immediate money.

Cherine: Street smarts.

Ce’Cile: Exactly. We command a certain level of respect and we shouldn’t apologise for that.

all woman: How do you deal with all the negativity that’s out there?

Alaine: As an artiste, I refuse to give it any kind of energy. I respect constructive criticism that can uplift me and help me move forward and keep me creative. Whatever is beautiful, positive and uplifting, that’s what I’m about.

Cherine: I can choose to take on the critique and the comparisons but I take on what I choose to take on. For me, it’s been years of hard work. So when people get up and talk a lot of ridiculous things about me, it just lets me realise that that person doesn’t know me. I am tough enough to take it, but I protect my family and my personal life at all costs. I simply choose to remain positive, focused and confident and keep doing me.

Ce’Cile: There have been so many rumours about me, but I don’t let them get me down. It just keeps me moving.

Cherine: That’s what you have to do. Even though it comes with the territory, I believe it is an insult to what we do and what we stand for.

Ce’Cile: It can get really annoying at times but you just have to focus on the positives.

Cherine: At the end of the day, the music I put out is what I fight with. I fight with the work (Laughs).

all woman: Importantly, how do you stay true to yourselves?

Ce’Cile: You just have to remain true to who you are.

Alaine: For me, there is no greater support than family. It is important to surround yourself with people who are supportive of who you are and what you do.

Cherine: That is so true. You need people around you who are not just ‘yes people’, you need people who are going to be real with you.

Ce’Cile: I think we also need to remember that we are humans too. We are not perfect. We should allow ourselves to grow, make mistakes and learn.

all woman: Looking towards the new year, what are some of the personal goals (or flaws) you girls hope to work on?

Ce’Cile: I have realised that it’s okay to be vulnerable and feel free to be myself. I want to start letting my softer side come out (Laughs). Just keep looking for some more stuff from Ce’Cile. I hope to be ‘occurring’ big time in 2008.

Cherine: I just see myself as a work in progress, even more so with all the new music I have coming out. For the new year, it’s just about widening my territory and doing more of Cherine with my new album coming out and some more film projects. I want to have my fans on the journey with me as I grow and improve. it’s always great to have the opportunity to improve myself.

Alaine: I am so excited about all the opportunities I’ll have in the new year to improve and become a better human, writer and singer. I want to use all my blessings to help other people. It’s all about growth and improvement in 2008.

-reidt@jamaicaobserver.com