Safiyah returns to the MAGNUM STAGE
WHEN 18-YEAR-OLD Danya Elliston first had dreams of pursuing music full-time, the teen was almost frightened away by the prospect of becoming a household name.
A few years later, and Elliston, more popularly known as Safiyah, is the reigning Magnum Queen of Dancehall, a feat she attributes to her strong and driven personality.
Raised between rural St Catherine and Duhaney Park in Kingston, Safiyah a past student of the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education, says that music has always been something she enjoyed but never considered a viable career until her late teens. Armed with the nationwide exposure she received through Magnum’s weekly Kings and Queens of Dancehall series, Safiyah remains hopeful for a long and fulfilling career.
“I actually decided to do Magnum Kings and Queens because of a financial situation that I was having. I knew there was a chance, but winning was like a dream. Now all I have to do is maintain and keep working hard.”
LADY SAW
The now 21-year-old dancehall newcomer says Lady Saw (now Marion Hall) remains one of her greatest musical influences, and finds lyrical and presentation inspiration embedded deep in her style.
“I feel like Lady Saw is my greatest musical influence, she has always been one of the females who knew exactly what she was doing in the industry, and not only was she very hard-working but she perfected her style. Dancehall is a craft.”
Usually reserved, Safiyah admits that she connects most easily with her twin sister and her older brother. Leaning on their support and words of advice, not just throughout MKQ, but daily. Had it not been music, Safiyah admits that she would have pursued a career in physiotherapy or media and communication.
“If I didn’t have music, then I think I would have gone on to do physical therapy. That was the original plan but I’ve always like media and entertainment in a different way so maybe it would have been one of the two, or both,” Safiyah said jokingly.
DREAM COLLABORATION
Despite being heavily influenced by Lady Saw, Safiyah says that her dream collaboration would be with reggae/dancehall crooner Dexta Daps.
“He is a hitmaker and he has great songs, very good stage presence and an ability to sound the exact same way he does on a track while he is singing live. He has a good reputation and his music always leaves the world wanting more. That’s my dream collaboration.”
Safiyah will make her return to the Magnum stage by way of Magnum Xplosion, slated for December 14 at the Melborne Cricket Club in Kingston. Magnum Xplosion will also feature dancehall heavyweights Spice, Aidonia, Ding Dong, and Agent Sasco, among a slew of other local acts, but Safiyah maintains that she will not fall into the background.
“I’m in this position now because I did what I was supposed to do. I stood out! You can’t win from the back of the crowd, plus the Magnum stage is my home, so fans can expect a crazy show.”