Jamaican artistes and their international counterparts
OUR LOCAL artistes are known to us for a variety of reasons, but especially because of their distinct Jamaican sound. Whether it be dancehall or reggae, ‘DJ-ing’ or singing, we know Jamaican artistes when we hear them. What about their other distinguishing traits, though; those that highlight how similar they are to their international counterparts? Similarities include appearance, public personality, lyrics and musical style. Here are five Jamaican artistes who share such similarities with who we could now call their international equivalent:
DEMARCO AND RICK ROSS
Collin Demar Edwards (Demarco) and William Leonard Roberts II (Rick Ross) are notable artistes in their game. Each has worked with seven record labels since the beginning of their respective careers. However, with Demarco being a reggae/dancehall artiste, and Rick Ross almost exclusively known for rap, there is little with which to compare the two in terms of music. That doesn’t stop us from noting the uncanny similarities in their physical appearance, though. With only six years between them, Demarco, 35, and Rick Ross, 41, could pass for brothers.
SPICE AND NICKI MINAJ
Grace Latoya Hamilton (Spice) and Onika Tanya Maraj (Nicki Minaj) are, arguably, the two most dominant female acts in their respective country’s music industry. Both women are 35-year-old Caribbean-born singers and songwriters. While Minaj is known mostly for rap and Spice for dancehall, the artistes’ shared Caribbean roots have profoundly influenced their sounds. Spices’s Indicator gained her an Instagram shoutout from Minaj in February 2017. Minaj dubbed the song “my new obsession”. Shortly after, Spice returned the love by telling THE STAR that she’s a big fan of Minaj. Both Spice and Nicki Minaj stand out on the music scene with their colourful hair and raunchy performance style.