Ce'Cile's search for balance well under way

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

For reggae and dancehall entertainer Ce'Cile, the plan for 2010 was to focus on building her image and reputation in Jamaica.

Already a force of dancehall nature in Europe, the brown-skinned dancehall diva and self-styled 'bad gyal' was intent on joining the cream of the crop of dancehall artistes here in her own backyard as she continues to build on her stellar career.

While grabbing a quick bite during a wardrobe change on a recent photo shoot, Ce'Cile said she felt she had accomplished her goal.

"The idea was to get myself back on top of the core audience, the dancehall hardcore fan base, and I think I have done that," she said.

"I have a tonne-load of singles. Not only that, but singles that are extremely popular in both the reggae and dancehall [genres], and also in terms of recognition and shows." Ce'Cile was recently among some of the island's top entertainers, including Mavado, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and Khago, who signed promotional agreements with telecommunications company LIME, further endorsing her claim of success.

She is particularly proud of her local and regional reggae hit, Anything (Cook Fi You), produced by Don Corleone. The song struck a chord with her female fan base, turning it into an instant hit.

"It's such a weird topic and how I sang it. Nobody really said that kind of thing before and it was received well," she said.

"And on the dancehall side, oh my God, it's We No Share Gyal Man, We Tek Wey Dat. The people let me like that song so much, even though it makes me cringe when I hear it. It's such a street song."

She does admit that it is a little disturbing when she hears young girls singing that song. "I don't like to see the little kids singing it, you know. I am very much in conflict sometimes. I often refer to myself as a 'wannabe sketel' or a made up one," she said, giggling, apparently embarrassed by the song's success.

Responsibility

Still, she argues that parents must take responsibility for what their children listen to. "But, at the end of the day, you have to be cognisant of the fact that you have young fans, and I try to send a positive message and say this is not for you. It's always about striking a balance between sending a positive message and singing a song on stage."

That she has been focussing on home didn't mean that she gave up her advantage overseas, especially in Germany where her song Talk Talk continues to heat up the airwaves. Another major song on which her vocals are also featured include DJ Fresh's Gold Dust, a song that continues to do well in several markets overseas and made it to the Top 20 on the United Kingdom pop charts.

"I think I have maintained that international thing, but I think I have achieved that job that I have set out to do."

Going into 2011, Ce'Cile plans to do even more work here at home. She is working on an album due out sometime next year, and while she did not reveal much about what will be on the new CD, she says she wants to give her fans something fresh.

"Because now the fans are waiting for something, I want to give them something exclusive," she said. "I don't want to give them the singles that are already on the road."

She also revealed that she plans to go back on tour.

"I've been doing spot dates, I've been doing the weekend shows, but touring is definitely going to start back for 2011 and just continuing with the singles because you can't forget your core market. So I don't want to be forgotten on our side or on the international side of things," she said.

To do that, she will have to call upon her now enhanced skills of balancing both sides of her professional life.

"I realise that the balance is not so difficult to do and I don't have to choose between one and the other. I think I can maintain doing both," she said.

"You just have to party less. A lot of people think that partying is a good way of promoting, but partying and not creating doesn't work. Not that I have always partied. I have always worked, but overseas, and I have realised that in the free time that I have here I need to be creating. So that's how you strike the balance."