MARK Kenny — executive producer and creator of the television talent series Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall — said last Saturday’s on-air spat between judge Khadine ‘Miss Kitty’ Hylton and host Yanique Barrett will not damage the show’s brand.
“No, I don’t think it has,” he told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
Kenny said he had not yet met with both parties to discuss possible sanctions or way forward.
“I haven’t concluded my meeting with them. So, I’m not at liberty to make any comment at this time.”
Hylton and Barrett were embroiled in a two-minute verbal match while viewers, judges and contestants watched. The ‘bout’ was brought to a close by co-host Sanjay Ramanand. He then gesticulated to the parties that the show should go on.
Launched in 2007, Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall has not been without controversy.
Last year, the inclusion of dancehall selector/disc jockey Foota Hype as a guest judge made tabloid and social media headlines. At the time, he was involved in a much-publicised feud with the show’s resident judge Cordell ‘Skatta’ Burrell.
Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall is aired live on TVJ on Saturday nights from D’Entrance on Constant Spring Road in Kingston. The event attracts a hardcore audience who give their views on everything from performers to fashion and its judges.
The first winners were Baby Tash and Singer Jah. Over the years, the series has helped expose artistes like Jah Bouks, Tanto Blacks, and Chosen.
— Brian Bonitto
