Akeem Smith: Dancehall Diaries
Ойын-сауық
Conceived by Akeem Smith and hosted by Kerwin Frost, Dancehall Diaries exists as an extension of the artist’s first solo exhibition No Gyal Can Test, which took place at Red Bull Arts Detroit in 2021 and Red Bull Arts New York in 2020. This round table brings together a group of dancehall luminaries featured in the exhibition - Sandra Lee, Paula and Debbie Ouch, and Pinky - to discuss the social world of Kingston’s dancehall scene in the 1980s and 90s.
Integrating a pop-up video technique, Dancehall Diaries aims to humanize the women behind the archive while layering in key historical, personal, and pop culture facts about dancehall and the individuals who propelled the scene to a global movement. Kerwin connects key moments in the show with the real world experiences of the dancehall queens ultimately illustrating the development of dancehall’s influential visual aesthetics across two decades.
This contemporary take on an oral history reflects how the culture has changed and how these dancehall queens’ approach to life and visionary sense of style has contributed to the island’s evolving cultural legacy.
ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS
Paula and Debbie Ouch are founding members of the Ouch Crew, the legendary six-woman crew and fashion house that helped define dancehall aesthetics through their styling, costuming work, and innumerable one-off designs. Moving from Brooklyn to a boutique in Kingston’s Half-Way Tree Square in the early 90s, Ouch created custom designs for stars such as Lady Saw, Ninja Man and Macka Diamond. The Ouch Crew also acted in and did costuming for the films Dancehall Queen (dir. Don Letts, 1997) and Belly (dir. Hype Williams, 1998).
Sandra Lee is a dancehall party promoter and hairstylist known for her movie star affect and eccentric looks. Characterized by her distinctive unibrow and bold makeup, she continues to be a persistent but shapeshifting presence in the scene.
Pinky is the sister of Dancehall Queen Carlene and member of her formidable crew. Introducing her sister to the culture in the early 90s, whose radically risqué sense of style has become one of the most recognizable and enduring images. Pinky continued to dance for major artists throughout the decade.
Learn more about Akeem Smith: www.newcanons.com/nc001-akeem... and follow him on Instagram / akeemouch
Пікірлер: 45
When Paula Ouch said “here is something that is so beautiful so special and so undocumented….Chills ❤️
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL INTERVIEW AND PAULA TALKING ABOUT LOUIE & DMX WAS SAD & DOPE AT SAME TIME BIG UP ALL THESE GIRLS‼️🇯🇲
These profiles are such bangers your work really highlights the work of some amazing artists who are so talented but don't get nearly enough exposure
Love love love Akeem. His work is phenomenal. Had the pleasure of working with him once dying to work with him again. Thank you Kerwin for this amazing interview!
WOW! THIS WAS AMAZING! Thank you so much for putting this together. So needed! This needs more views and ears. I'll do my best to highlight this. Big Up to everybody! We need more of these ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ and on a sadder note, RIP dear Pinky, it pains my heart 😭😭😭😭
The amount of creative inspiration, fire & ferocity that this interview shined on me as an artist is immeasurable. I feel lucky even watching it. To see the strength & power that this music has created - and the people who it has shaped gives me courage to live with a bravery that is exceedingly more intense. Thank you everyone involved for this : Praise Dancehall !
Such a great video, time to shed a beautiful tear 🥲
Truly one of the best exhibits I’ve ever been to
thanks for another gem kerwin
Who cares how many views this vid got, it got to me and I learned something new. And I love it now
KERWIN YOU ARE LEGENDARY THANK YOU FOR GIVING MY CULTURE A SEAT AT THE TABLE
kerwin got legends in da building
Nah this is something people who aren’t familiar should know about! Excited about this 😊
awesome exhibition! akeem's emic perspective is really interesting. thanks kerwin
#Ouch4Ever ❤❤❤
Auntie Sandra is about as real as they come🤣
This was so amazing never heard of any of these ladies before but now I love all of them.🔥🔥🔥🔥
Man this is really dope kerwin Thankyou for putting this out!
Sandra Lee looks very well ❤
This is so educational and I hope this message goes far. Really love Kerwin's take on the film Dance Hall Queens, "Dancehall is where they can let go of their problems and be free" This is so powerful and enlightening, I was pretty ignorant and looked at clubbing and partying as a waste of time but this blew my mind and changed my perspective on social gatherings all together lol Dance Hall is so powerful wow, respect.
Thank you, love this
Thank you so much for posting this, Id went and was so inspired but forgot all the artist’s info
This crazy 🔥🔥🇯🇲
Beyond Beautiful
RIP pinky ❤️
i love this. DANCEHALL FOR LIFE. im waiting for ur 2ne1 interview where u at
So inspiring
truly enlightening
great stuff
‼️‼️yesssss‼️‼️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
those balenci bike shoes😍
AMAZING
🔥🔥🔥🔥
WOOWWW
The first time I saw them I was watching Reggae boys 1998 match On KZread against Croatia But the first time I heard I bought them more than beanie Man song Old dog And Bounty Killer Stucky
nice
🇯🇲💪🏽😍
That's movies it's called "Dancehall Queen" and "Belly"
General b wine Nicky wine
Ey yo Kerwin drop the interview with nigo and pharrell🩻
Yo chill chill its not that vibe
Eh, no thanks lmao
Unsubbed sorry
@beautifulstar4121
2 жыл бұрын
Wat does that mean 🙄u full a Dudu 🥱