Latonya Style gets patriotic on new single

Known mainly for dance entrepreneurship, professional dancer Latonya Style has also been featured on tracks such as ‘ Cologne’ by reggae-dancehall artiste Munga Honorable in 2010 and in the introduction of Jiggle It by Tarnado, recorded more than a decade ago.

Style, a past member of the Ashe Performing Arts Group, was exposed to music, drama, and dance for 10 years where she participated in group productions and eventually did solo rap performances for shows both locally and overseas.

Though not particularly her comfort zone, the dancer is again challenging herself to write and produce music aimed at highlighting Jamaica’s culture as she returns with her solo single Jamaican Culture.

Since returning from a recent tour in Africa, the dancer has started an artiste management, bookings, and promotions company, Talent Promotions and Recognition (TalentPR).

However, her reasons for venturing into recording music were partly owed to slow income from dancing and her studio Dance Jamaica Academy.

She explained “Persons that come to Jamaica seeking an authentic dance experience are not necessarily looking for an official location or are receiving classes in the various guesthouses. But I have also been wanting to write and produce a song that speaks to our culture and my passion for it. Though I was seeking a known name to do the recording, it was not coming through in a timely manner, and so I conjured up the courage to use my own voice.”

The single is voiced on the Ziki Rhythm, which also features tracks by Chilean dancehall artiste Canis Major as well as promising talents from Jamaica like Sasique, Daminance, and R-Tadax.

It is produced by Brandon Henry of IQue Music Records but will be released under TalentPR. Styles’ song evokes patriotism as she mentions everything from the Reggae Girlz to food.

Style said: “Since my last tour, I have become more in tune to doing more for the culture because what hurts me the most in my travels is seeing foreigners taking credit for our innovations. As I always like to say, ‘experience the culture, don’t be a vulture’, and it is the message of my song.”