Mad Michelle—-
MAD Michelle has made a name for herself in dancehall circles as a choreographer. She is, however, planning to add singjay to that résumé.
She recently recorded two singles — Style Dem and Love off Mi Body — on the Bombshack Recording imprint.
“I want to be well-rounded and didn’t want to rely on dancing alone. I didn’t want to place my eggs in one basket. It is about not limiting myself, so I have ventured into recording and I think this added chapter will be successful, too,” the 32-year-old told the Jamaica Observer.
She said Style Dem will be released in the first week of December. The single’s reception will determine the other’s release date.
Mad Michelle (given name Ann-Marie McKoy) said even though recording — like dancing — is a male dominated career, she is willing to put in the hours.
“I must admit that it is a male dominated industry, but they work hard to get there and so should we. We need to stop watch face. We should just go out there and be just as aggressive as the men,” she said.
“We (women) are a strong and powerful sex and no industry is complete without us,” she added.
Hailing from Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston, Mad Michelle completed her studies at Ardenne High School.
“I have always loved dancing and in 2002, Bogle, as well as other peers, encourged me to enter the Dancehall Queen Competition. I didn’t earn a place,” she said.
The following year she re-entered and copped the Dancehall Queen title. Three years, later she was crowned Caribbean Dancehall Queen.
As a dancer, she has made appearances in music videos of several dancehall artists including Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, RDX and Scare Dem Crew.