5 Minutes with… DANIELLE
Dancehall fire-starter Danielle is truly hotter than an inferno and has never been shy about telling folks exactly what she wants.
From declaring her independence to asserting her sexuality, Danielle’s tracks like Downtown Man and Beat It are full of personal and, at times, provocative proclamations. But she wants to make it clear that there’s much more to her than that. She hopes her upcoming releases will show off her diversity and prove to listeners that she’s more than just a pretty face in the biz.
She recently chatted with all woman about her new projects, hanging tight with a certain Reggae Boy, her Christmas wish list and why she’s more than just a sex symbol.
Personals: 24; dancehall singjay; hails from Liguanea, St Andrew; studied acting at Miami Dade Community College.
all woman: Listening to your debut singles Downtown Man and Beat It, it is immediately clear that you are not shy about speaking your mind.
Danielle: That is just me. But I want people to know that I am not just about one topic. Currently, I am recording some new one-drop music because I want to explore different sides of the music.
all woman: With your glamourous image and style of delivery, how do you feel about being dubbed a sex symbol?
Danielle: (Laughs) There’s more to me than that. In terms of the music, it depends on my mood. Sometimes the music is raunchy, other times it is not. I want to use my music to look at many different topics.
all woman: How do you describe your sound?
Danielle: I describe my music as dancehall with a little R&B and hip hop. I am a singjay who will dabble in different types of music, but I am predominantly a dancehall artiste.
all woman: What is the craziest rumour you have heard about yourself?
Danielle: Oh God, there have been so many about who and who I am sleeping with and a lot of other crazy, ridiculous gossip. But it doesn’t bother me. I live my life to the fullest and I do not focus on anything negative.
all woman: According to my impeccable sources, you are dating overseas-based Reggae Boy Ricardo Fuller. Is that another false rumour?
Danielle: Well, that one is true (Laughs). We have been going strong for about eight years now. I am always in England where he plays. So, basically I live between Jamaica and England (Laughs).
all woman: What are your thoughts on the current state of reggae and dancehall music?
Danielle: I think it is really growing across the world and we see more and more of our artistes breaking onto the international scene and signing big record deals. Even though there is a lot of in-fighting and cliquing going on locally, we can see where the music is now on a high platform and continues to showcase the best of our artistes.
all woman: So what are you presently working on for the fans?
Danielle: I am in the studio now working on some new music and I have a video coming out soon for my single Baby I’m Sorry. Plus, I have some other stuff working on with Sly and Robbie. So you can look out for that.
all woman: Who are you dying to collaborate with?
Danielle: Lady Saw. I would love to do something with her. Also, artistes like Vybz Kartel, Usher and Lil Kim are some of my dream collaborators.
all woman: Would you like to take up acting again?
Danielle: Yeah man, the sky is the limit for me. I would love to do some acting and maybe launch a clothing line. It’s all about becoming a mogul for the future (Laughs).
all woman: What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
Danielle: So many things. Career-wise, I want all my upcoming shows to be successful. On the material side, I would love a diamond set (Laughs).
all woman: Any 2008 resolutions?
Danielle: To be honest, I don’t make them. But I just hope to take my career to higher heights and be consistent in the gym (Laughs).