EXECUTIVE producer of the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall talent contest, Mark Kenny is confident this season's winners will go on to mainstream success.
Unlike the rival Digicel Rising Stars contest which has produced winning acts (Christopher Martin and Romain Virgo) who have hit the big time, the Magnum kings and queens have not covered themselves in post-contest glory.
Kenny says that is about to change.
"The dancehall scene is changing...that is, the music is going back to the reggae end of dancehall. This is evident through the music of artistes like Chronixx, Protoje and No Maddz," he told Splash. "Similar talents have entered the Magnum competition this year and Jonnah is one of them."
According to Kenny, previous winners Specialist, Deep Jahi and Tanto Blacks have done well and continue to grow as artistes.
"All the kings are doing well in their careers. Compared to Rising Stars who have been around for a decade, it is only Romain Virgo and Chris Martin that have really break out. Therefore, it is hard to compare the two," he said.
Kenny admits that the Magnum queens are not as active as their male colleagues but he is expecting Sassy Silva to make a difference.
Previous queens include Baby Tash, Bumpa, Nioma and Taliban.
-- Simone Morgan
Two weeks ago, singer Jonnah and deejay Sassy Silva won the fifth king and queen titles at the finals, held at Weekenz in St Andrew.
KENNY... all the kings are doing well. Deejay Sassy Silva (centre) and singer Jonnah won the fifth queen and king titles.
   KENNY... all the kings are doing well. Deejay Sassy Silva (centre) and singer Jonnah won the fifth queen and king titles. #slideshowtoggler, #slideshowtoggler a, #slideshowtoggler img {filter:none !important;zoom:normal !important}  1/1  |
Kenny says that is about to change.
"The dancehall scene is changing...that is, the music is going back to the reggae end of dancehall. This is evident through the music of artistes like Chronixx, Protoje and No Maddz," he told Splash. "Similar talents have entered the Magnum competition this year and Jonnah is one of them."
According to Kenny, previous winners Specialist, Deep Jahi and Tanto Blacks have done well and continue to grow as artistes.
"All the kings are doing well in their careers. Compared to Rising Stars who have been around for a decade, it is only Romain Virgo and Chris Martin that have really break out. Therefore, it is hard to compare the two," he said.
Kenny admits that the Magnum queens are not as active as their male colleagues but he is expecting Sassy Silva to make a difference.
Previous queens include Baby Tash, Bumpa, Nioma and Taliban.
-- Simone Morgan