‘Wi a one Caribbean’
Ding Dong happy to represent dancehall in the carnival space
Published:Sunday | March 17, 2024 | 12:06 AMKenrick Morgan - Sunday Gleaner Writer
As the carnival season swings into gear, debates over how to craft an authentic Carnival in Jamaica experience and mas’ place within the Jamaican entertainment spaces are central.
On one hand, there are those who argue Jamaica’s dancehall-heavy roots prevent soca/carnival events from finding suitable soil to blossom. While others argue the two can exist, just on opposite sides of the fence.
But for one entertainer, dancehall hit-maker, Ding Dong, balancing the two is an exercise in representing our heritage as Caribbean people.
“Dancehall and carnival mix a whole heap. Last year, when wi do the road, wi bring a flair and a different flavour a lot of people found confusing at first ‘cause them never know how fi dweet,” Ding Dong told The Sunday Gleaner.
“But our truck last year with Yard Mas never just play soca music or dancehall music, we mixed it with everything. And we dance and vibe with both dancehall and soca and everyone had a good time,” he continued.
This mixing, the Stir Fry singer explained, has even led artistes of both genres to collaborate frequently with no issues – something he is not a stranger to.
“You even have soca artistes who merge and do dancehall songs and collaborations with dancehall artistes – trying to craft a different sound because they want it to have a wider span and reach,” Ding Dong said.
“At the end of the day, wi a one Caribbean,” he said.
VIBES MASTER
This year, Ding Dong partners with the Yard Mas team to deliver a unique experience come road march. The hit-maker and fellow dancing sensation Christina ‘Dancing Rebel’ Nelson were unveiled as brand ambassadors for the band on Wednesday.
The band’s managing director, Andrew Bellamy, said the partnership “represents a seamless fusion of Jamaican dancing culture with the exhilarating soca road march experience” his band is known for.
“They fit into the ethos of our Yard Mas movement. They are natural entertainers and trendsetters within the dancehall space. So, as we infuse our local culture within our carnival road march, they were the perfect alignment,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.
Ding Dong shared similar sentiments, echoing his excitement over joining the festivities.
“Just fi even be part of the carnival space is a big thing as a dancehall artiste. Anuh every and any song can play a carnival. So wi consider it a blessing fi have a catalogue that can be called upon to give the people something different,” he said.
As he considered what the partnership meant to him, Ding Dong recalled the times he participated in the festivities like any other patron.
“Seeing the crowd, the energy, the vibe it always reminds me a when wi a youth and wi usually walk. And fi come see wiself now pan top a di truck dem is a different feeling altogether,” he said.
To young stars and upcoming artistes who are looking to grow themselves and their craft, Ding Dong suggests doing what you love.
“Well, I never dweet with the intention of getting there – I just did it for the love of the music. So dweet cause you love it, and not cause you see someone else a dweet. The love will take you many places,” Ding Dong said.
Carnival road march returns to Jamaica’s streets on April 7, and Bellamy says Yard Mas revellers can expect a whole lot of goodies and “overall non-stop vibes the ‘yardie’ style”.
“Masqueraders can look forward to an authentic Jamaican road march experience with an air-conditioned lunch and dinner stop with premium pouring options on the road, the trendiest DJs from Jamaica, the Caribbean and North America, high-energy performances by Trinidad and Tobago’s Road March Winner, Mical Teja, and Ding Dong with a few more artiste cameos, the anxiously anticipated goodie bags and a seamless distribution system,” Bellamy said.