Interview: Aneesa Badshaw Confident She’ll Hit in Dancehall from Canada, Talks Modelling, Dating ETC
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October 12, 2024
Aneesa Badshaw is the latest of many Canadians who have ventured into Dancehall as a career choice because of her deep love for the genre. With the fact that there are not any popular Dancehall artiste to break from the North American country in recent times, Badshaw is keen on proving that it’s possible.
In a chat with Yardhype, the ‘GYMNASTIC’ singer who also goes by the name ‘Westlock Dutchess’ expresses that she plans to make a mark both ‘yaad and abroad’ plus some personal info.
One of the ways Aneesa plans to create a buzz locally is by visiting the island on a regular and connecting with local acts such as Pamputtae with whom she has managed to develop a good working relationship.
The Canadian highlights that attending Dancehall events and the food are her favourite things about the island along with the people. Badshaw is of Guyanese descent and while she loves and visits Guyana from time to time, she feels at home in Jamaica and oftentimes finds it hard to leave whenever she visits the island.
Anessa Badshaw is her real name and when asked about her reason for chosing her real name as her stage name, she stated, “When I was in the process of rebranding, I figured that I should just keep it real and go with my real name.”
She has been doing Dancehall music for about 5 years and despite being more successful so far in her modelling career, she wants to transition into being a Dancehall artiste full time in the near future. The 29 year old who was born on May 16, details her style of music as “Dancehall fusion”, however, she also does music outside of the genre.
Her favourite male artiste is Vybz Kartel, while her favourite female Dancehall artiste is Spice. As it relates to who Inspires her the most, she told Yardhype, “This might sound random, but I would say 50 Cent. He’s definitely inspired me with his music and style, hip-hop is also one of my favourite genres.”
When she’s not making music or modelling Aneesa Badshaw says she likes to be in the kitchen, highlighting that she’s a strict vegan. She also loves to take vacations.
See some questions and answers with Aneesa below:
Q: What do you love the most about Jamaica?
A: The food , and party scene.. and of course the scenery.
Q: Do you have a favourite parish in Jamaica?
A: I would definitely say Kingston.
Q: What’s your Favourite Jamaican dish?
A: Well, since I’ve been vegan for five years so far, I would say everything dem cook that’s vegan taste SWEEEET! I absolutely love the seasoning and spices they put in their food.
Q: How do you usually come about your lyrics, write/freestyle?
A: I do come up with concepts from life experiences; But I also have writers that help me piece it together.
Q: Do you prefer performing or recording in the studio?
A: I would say recording in the studio!
Q: Explain the creation of the song Gymnastic.
A: I originally had a different artist on this song, And I replaced her because I wasn’t feeling where it was going, I then reached out to Pamputtae through Instagram, and she had love the concept and idea that I had and that’s where it begun.
Q: Where was the music video for Gymnastic shot?
A: I shot half of the video in Jamaica and half in Toronto.
Q: Which other popular Dancehall artiste you want to collab with?
A: I would definitely say, Jada Kingdom, Vybz Kartel, Spice, Govana
Q: What’s your latest released song and what will be your next and when?
A: My latest release right now is called vice-grip featuring Swick Don. Produced by Smoke Shop Studios.
A: The next song that I’m releasing is called ‘Dutty Habits’, produced by Deadline Records.
The video will be released in about two weeks.
Q: Would you date a Dancehall artiste and any bad experience interacting with male artistes to do work?
A: To be honest, I have dated a dancehall artist in the past, we still have a great connection with each other. But I do try my best to stay away from Artist lol.
A: I’ve had a really bad experience working with hip-hop artist ZOEY DOLLAZ a.k.a Just Zoey.
I’m still confused till this day as to why he took my money and did not give me my work (feature).
Q: Is Aneesa single/married?
A: Single, And I definitely don’t care to mingle 😂.
Q: Tell Us About Your Music Team(manager/producer).
A: My producer, Smoke Shop Studios, we have a lot of work coming and in the works.
Q: How long do you believe it will take for you to get a buzz/hit in Dancehall?
A: Less than a year if I keep putting in the work.
Q: What are some of the things you think are holding you back from a sooner success in Dancehall?
A: One thing I could say that’s probably holding me back is I don’t like performing.
I’ve been getting a lot of big offers and declining them. But I do feel like I need to work on my craft a little bit more before I touch the stage.
Q: What’s your take on Choppa freaky lyrics being introduced into Dancehall?
A: Mi luv freaky man so mi luv it.
Q: Which Dancehall artiste you have been secretly admiring for a long time?
A: I won’t call it a secret, but I would say Shawn Storm. I definitely admire his hard work even when he was in jail, And I rate the type of patience he has. He always stayed focused and positive with everything around him, and I’m truly happy to see that he’s a free man.
Follow Aneesa Badshaw on Instagram
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