From left, Beenie Man, Ce'cile, and Shaggy
Leighton Williams, Staff Reporter
FROM EVER since, local artistes have taken care to adorn themselves for their fans and audience. Whether it was a once-in-a-lifetime costume for a major stage show or garb for common everyday wear, artistes have always spent time to deck out themselves.
However, the effort to 'bling out' for the patrons at a stage show or set a trend for years to come does not come easy and is done with quite a lot of thought.
From the early '90s at 'Sting' when Ninja Man sported his 'silver fox' costume to Elephant Man's outlandish dressing at 'Sting 2002', getting the right outfit for the moment is key for every artiste.
However, all this effort is considered to be important, since the mode of dress is a critical part of the performance.
"How yu dress is a part of your performance. If yuh come look a certain way people will know what you are about," explains deejay Merciless.
BEST DRESSER AWARD
Of course, as much as, dress is a part of the performance, it is said that some artistes can easily qualify for a 'best dresser' award at a stage show. Among the artistes that would be in contention for such an award are Beenie Man, Baby Cham, Shaggy, Sean Paul, General Degree and Lady Saw. Others point out that earlier artistes such as Pinchers and the perennial George Nooks would be contenders as well.
Nobody would say who are the worst dressers. However, there are those who believe that Elephant Man and Ninja Man can qualify for 'Most Outlandish Appearance'. Elephant Man sometimes sport a bizarre, brightly-coloured outfit with hair to match, while Ninja Man has always saved his more 'creative side' for Sting.
Some events bring more out of an artiste's wardrobe than others. For example, Sting and Reggae Sumfest are events where an artiste will pull out all the stops to ensure he or she has the look that his fans will remember for a while to come. Smaller events merit an ordinary every day appearance.
GOING TO A WEDDING OR A PARTY
"It depends on the event. You dress for the event that is coming up. It's just like you're going to a wedding or a party. Yuh nah go wear a jeans go to a wedding, but yuh will wear it to a party. So if yuh a go a Sting or a big show yuh will dress for the occasion. So if yuh a go do waan club show yuh probably wear a jersey, but yuh a go wear something wah nobody else in the club is wearing," explained deejay Assassin.
Assassin adds that people dress codes often reflect their demeanour. Consequently, an entertainer will take that into consideration whenever he or she is preparing for an event.
"Yuh don't have to wear a suit for a big show, but you go shop fi something that looks good and something that when your fans visualise you they will remember you wearing," said the deejay.
It easy to see what he means by visualisation. At Sting 2000, deejay Merciless went under the monicker 'Warhead' for his clash with Ninja Man and later Bounty Killer and Beenie Man. He went dressed for the occasion. Dressed in fatigues bought at a army store in the United States and with war paint on his face, he was prepared for the moment.
"Mi just siddung an' tink sey a war mi did a go. So, mi come prepared fi war an' mi go in a waan army store go buy di tings dem what mi did want," explained Merciless.
REPEAT HER CLOTHES
Ce'Cile explains that her choice of garments for a performance will depend on the event, venue and geographic location. She said in preparation for her 'engagement', she shops around at various locations or in different countries. She adds that unlike her male colleagues, she will repeat her clothes. However, there is a long gap between the 'repeats'.
"When I just started out as a performer, for every new show that I got I would buy new stuff. However, I no longer do that. I realise whenever I am on tours you have to have an act and your dress forms a part of the act so your audience can connect with you," she explained.
Ce'Cile's views are supported by Earl 'Biggie' Turner, who points out that in the United States (U.S.) mainstream artistes sometimes travel with a set wardrobe instead of running to the store for something new for every show. "You will find a big artiste having a set of clothes for a whole tour. Also, that artiste will be the first to wear an outfit. However, for most of our artistes if dem a go be the first to wear it an' dem never see it pon a music video dem might not want to wear it," he explained.
Biggie has stitched for at least two generations of dancehall artistes. He snipped threads for Pinchers in the 1980s through the early '90s to current artistes such as Wayne Marshall, Bling Dawg and several others. He points out that local artistes should strive to set trends in the U.S. market, instead of copying U.S. artistes.
"Dem watch a video an' see a man in a jersey an' feel seh it a di lick. However, di Americans nuh really accept di jersey ting. Di man dem fi come more original," he points out. Of course, there are times when the artistes do 'come original'. However, the 'freshness' will probably be for a particular event, for example Merciless' army garb. Assassin points out that his outfit at Sting 2002 was only for that night and will never be worn again. Most artistes point out that they do not repeat outfits, whether or not it is for a major show or not. Instead, they say that the clothes are either given away or absorbed into their regular wardrobe.
ONE LICK' OUTFITS
Apart from the 'one lick' outfits, the artistes say they go for an exclusive look for the major shows, since they have no intention of being upstaged by other artistes - or worse yet, fans. To achieve this end, the entertainers point out that they prefer shopping abroad, since they will have an opportunity to select outfits that will not be available in Jamaica. Assassin points out that he often visits a mall and selects something that he thinks will set a trend for persons who come to see him perform.
"You won't buy something everyone in the venue will be in. I won't buy a jersey (basketball, football etc.) for a major show, since jerseys are in. You want to look exclusive, so you will choose some of the latest designers," he said.
Of course, the 'exclusive look' does not come cheaply. An artiste can shell out anything from a low of US$700 ($40,600) to US$2,000 or much more on an outfit for a major stage show. This sum, it is said, can take a sizeable chunk out of an artiste's earnings.
At present, most artistes shop overseas. However, patronising a local designer is not ruled out. Ce'Cile, for instance, points out that she has gone with local designers and plans to do so again.
"I like some of the stuff that Minka has and I will be going to another local designer for an upcoming show that I have," she said.
The local designers, while coming in cheaper than their overseas counterparts, do charge a pretty penny.
"I charge a minimum of $10,000, which is what they would pay for the brands abroad. However, if I set a price and they can't go up to it I won't kill them for it still," said Earl 'Biggie' Turner.
At the end of the day, it is believed that whether local or overseas, what an artiste wears is important.
"A so yuh fans visualise yuh an' it help yuh presentation, cause if yuh come casual dem know seh dem a go get a different show than if yuh in a suit," said Assassin.
