MIA awards boss diversifies

Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Queenie Doyley, chief executive officer of the Music Industry Achievers Awards, has branched off into music production. The entrepreneur is set to release her first rhythm, a project she is excited about, called Qmia, composed by Jason Germaine Coy.

"It is my first time doing my own production and I am extremely excited and grateful for the support that I got from the artistes," she said.

It is often said that music in Jamaica is not very friendly to women, but this has not been Doyley's experience.

"I have gotten support from men in the music industry, which is why I want to big up Pay-day music. He recorded most of the sessions for me with the artistes - and big-up to the artistes that worked with me on this project," she said.

The tracks were mixed by Fire Wayne of Echo1 Production, and will be released in a matter of weeks under Doyley's MIA Productions label.

"It was real great working with the men, and they were encouraging. I plan to do another production following this one because my team is real good and active," Doyley explained.

Doyley is of the belief that her first production will have an impact.

"We are going all out to promote it, the MIA calendar is coming out soon, bearing the images of the featured artistes, mi a guh hard and duh the best I can to promote it," she said.

exclusive event

Some of the artistes featured on the Qmia rhythm are Patexxx, Flex, Kibaki, Iyara, RDX, Stacious, Wada Blood, General Degree, Voicemail and Raine Seville.

Doyley is also working on an exclusive event called Mr and Ms Mia Awards Celebrity Pageant.

This is a competition in which six female and six male artistes/disc jocks/media personnel compete for the title of Mr and Ms Mia.

Some entertainers currently listed as participants in the contest include Macka Diamond, DJ Naz, Milk, Pamputtae, Stacious, Delus, Mr Lexx, Chozenn and Darrio.

The pageant will be judged by ZJ Ice of Zip 103 FM, Gunter of Fame FM, Camille of Rawitd TV and Natalie Storm.

"I try to think outside the box. For 2012, the goal is not to get rich but to be positive and surround myself with positive people," Doyley said.

Proceeds from the awards, will go towards aiding the May Pen Golden Age Home

"I was born and raised in May Pen, Clarendon, so I decided to give back to the Golden Age Home. I am grateful for the support that I have been getting from sponsors," she said. Those sponsors include Angel's Boutique, Rum Bar Rum, Nickfotoworks, Blends Skin Care Limited, Hp Hopwood, Rawtid TV, Gracie's Design & Mek Yah Wear.

Doyley also said that women can make their mark in the music industry; however, they must be confident and brave.

"As women, we have to be brave and bold, we can do any job and things and time have been changing in our favour. If you look at the JUTC (Jamaica Urban Transit Company) buses, six or four out of 10 are female drivers, plus we have a female prime minister," she said.

According to Doyley, women were breaking out of their moulds.

"We are breaking through the barriers and heading into the male-dominated markets, so look out because we run the world," she laughed.