Suspense back to ‘run dancehall’

Having won the Magnum Queen of Dancehall title in 2017 at a memorable final that saw her rub out Rankin Pumpkin, Suspense soon ditched the dancehall in favour of a Christian lifestyle, only to lock off the gospel in 2019, citing too much hypocrisy in the Church.

Her quest to find her space came full circle last Tuesday, when a smiling Suspense signed a three-year album and management deal with Savage Entertainment at the ROK Hotel in downtown Kingston.

"I am back," an elated Suspense told THE STAR. "Once I'm here, I run dancehall. I am not paying any female any mind right now. Once I am here, I am staying focused and moving forward. The finish line is actually smiling at me and calling me. I am seeing it, I'm feeling the glory, I'm feeling the shine. Yes, it's about time. I deserve it."

Lyrically stinging and full of energy, with a flow that has been compared to that of the then named Lady Saw, Suspense said that her mission has not changed since her crowning glory six years ago.

"My plan was the same when I won Magnum in 2017. Let me say this ... when you go the first time, you may not be victorious, or [it may not] go the way you want it. I was in Magnum before ... in 2013 ... but I didn't win. But I didn't give up. I went back again in 2017 and I was crowned queen. So if I was there in 2017 and I went out and I am back, I am still the queen," the Nuh Bizniz artiste said.

Suspense feels that with the support of her team, she is in a great position to do what she is supposed to do, and that includes three albums in three years, as well as EPs. Heading up the team over at Savage Entertainment is Michael Midkiff, the US-based entrepreneur who went full throttle into investing in dancehall music last October, and has been working with a group of talented, up-and-coming artistes. Isaiah Laing is the outfit's musical director.

"Savage Entertainment and Mr Laing and the whole family make me so comfortable. I have a discerning spirit and it's saying that I am making the right decision," Suspense stressed, adding that she has been busy making music, including Journey, a collaboration with Jully Black, Canadian Queen of R&B.

Midkiff shared with THE STAR exactly why he has signed Suspense, who is so far the only female in the camp.

"The one thing that really impresses me about Suspense is that she is an educated woman and she is very humble, and her work ethic is second to none. She doesn't drink, she doesn't smoke. She just wants to work and she wants to be a winner, and that's what we are about at Savage Entertainment," Midkiff said.