Jamaican film aficionados will remember Cherine Anderson as Tanya, the mature and often outspoken daughter of the feisty street vendor turned dancehall queen, Marcia, (Audrey Reid) in the movie, Dancehall Queen (1997). Anderson also starred in the film One Love (2003) which earned her an MTV2/Urbanworld Film Festival award for Best Actress in a Feature Film. In 2007 she grabbed a role in MTV Tempo’s interactive drama, Choices, which kept her name in discussions concerning Jamaica’s rising film stars.
One might assume that an accomplished acting career would be enough for Anderson, but like Oliver Twist with the empty bowl, all she wants is more. This explains why the talented thespian from the Rockfort section of East Kingston is blazing new trails in the dancehall music biz. Her soulful vocals have been featured on official remixes for Madonna (“Give It 2 Me”), Britney Spears (“Pieces of Me”) and Paul McCartney (“Nod Your Head”).
If dedication and originality fuels career success for an artist, then Anderson is a young woman who is definitely going places. And don’t let her catalogue of official remixes fool you. She has some musical treats in store for her melanin-rich listeners as well. Anderson is currently working on her debut LP, Kingston State of Mind, and if her latest single “Talk If Yuh Talking” serves as any indication of what is to come, then reggae music fans will have something special to look forward to. Fast Food for Thought talked to the ever-touring Jamaican songbird about her upcoming album and decision to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan.
Your acting in the movie Dancehall Queen was superb. What do you like most about your character Tanya?
Tanya was a strong character. I loved that I could play a role that brought attention to the struggles faced by some young women in many countries. I enjoyed that Tanya won in the end. She became the model of hope for her family, She was the source and inspiration of strength.
You have a strong background in acting, but right now you’re focusing on your music career. What precipitated the switch in focus?
I’ve always loved entertainment, hence my reason for choosing to pursue acting and singing. I love communicating through song and film. They are both just a passion of mine.
How would you describe your music?
It’s the people’s music. It’s fun, sexy, rebellious, conscious, intellectual at times, energetic and very soulful, better yet soul-filled.
I’ve read articles where you’ve referred to your music as dancehall-soul. What’s the difference between dancehall-soul and traditional reggae music?
Good question. I call my music “Dancehall Soul.” Dancehall Soul is where street meets sweet. The music is a fusion of all of the different genres that have influenced my writing and sound in general. I’ve pulled from soul, gospel, r&b, country, a little rock and even jazz, but the sound is anchored in dancehall and reggae. Dancehall soul is a different energy, it isn't limited to a specific tempo or subject matter.
It’s vibrant, it’s energetic, it’s rebellious, it’s sexy, it’s conscious, it’s youthful and it’s music for the people. No two songs are going to sound exactly the same because it’s fusion. If you listen to “Kingston State of Mind” and then “Gurl’s Anthem”, or flip to “Good Love” you’ll quickly realize that it’s not traditional reggae.
What lead to your decision to study at Keio University in Japan?
I wanted to travel and the possibility of studying a foreign language in the native country of that language was appealing. I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship so I decided to attended school in Tokyo, Japan for a year.
What was the most interesting thing you learned about Japanese culture?
That's hard. I love the technology and the food. I also loved the fashion scene in Japan. The fashion is very forward but at the same time retro. You’d see girls walking around in outfits that look like they were straight out of the 60’s and 70’s and mixed it with what was current and they would look hot. The traditional Kimono is still worn and the Harajuku scene was also fascinating. The kaiten sushi spots were really cool to me. I wish they had those in Jamaica.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I am adventurous and that I am not scared of challenges.
How did you come up with the title for your new LP?
The title for the LP comes from the song “Kingston State of Mind” which is a single that I wrote and later directed the video for. The song was written and recorded in Kingston, Jamaica. I still live in Kingston and through my observation of some of the realities in the city I chose to address a few things with this song. The majority of my album is being developed in Kingston so the title “Kingston State of Mind” really represents what I have been experiencing around me for the better part of the last two years and seems like a perfect title for the project.
One might assume that an accomplished acting career would be enough for Anderson, but like Oliver Twist with the empty bowl, all she wants is more. This explains why the talented thespian from the Rockfort section of East Kingston is blazing new trails in the dancehall music biz. Her soulful vocals have been featured on official remixes for Madonna (“Give It 2 Me”), Britney Spears (“Pieces of Me”) and Paul McCartney (“Nod Your Head”).
If dedication and originality fuels career success for an artist, then Anderson is a young woman who is definitely going places. And don’t let her catalogue of official remixes fool you. She has some musical treats in store for her melanin-rich listeners as well. Anderson is currently working on her debut LP, Kingston State of Mind, and if her latest single “Talk If Yuh Talking” serves as any indication of what is to come, then reggae music fans will have something special to look forward to. Fast Food for Thought talked to the ever-touring Jamaican songbird about her upcoming album and decision to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan.
Your acting in the movie Dancehall Queen was superb. What do you like most about your character Tanya?
Tanya was a strong character. I loved that I could play a role that brought attention to the struggles faced by some young women in many countries. I enjoyed that Tanya won in the end. She became the model of hope for her family, She was the source and inspiration of strength.
You have a strong background in acting, but right now you’re focusing on your music career. What precipitated the switch in focus?
I’ve always loved entertainment, hence my reason for choosing to pursue acting and singing. I love communicating through song and film. They are both just a passion of mine.
How would you describe your music?
It’s the people’s music. It’s fun, sexy, rebellious, conscious, intellectual at times, energetic and very soulful, better yet soul-filled.
I’ve read articles where you’ve referred to your music as dancehall-soul. What’s the difference between dancehall-soul and traditional reggae music?
Good question. I call my music “Dancehall Soul.” Dancehall Soul is where street meets sweet. The music is a fusion of all of the different genres that have influenced my writing and sound in general. I’ve pulled from soul, gospel, r&b, country, a little rock and even jazz, but the sound is anchored in dancehall and reggae. Dancehall soul is a different energy, it isn't limited to a specific tempo or subject matter.
It’s vibrant, it’s energetic, it’s rebellious, it’s sexy, it’s conscious, it’s youthful and it’s music for the people. No two songs are going to sound exactly the same because it’s fusion. If you listen to “Kingston State of Mind” and then “Gurl’s Anthem”, or flip to “Good Love” you’ll quickly realize that it’s not traditional reggae.
What lead to your decision to study at Keio University in Japan?
I wanted to travel and the possibility of studying a foreign language in the native country of that language was appealing. I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship so I decided to attended school in Tokyo, Japan for a year.
What was the most interesting thing you learned about Japanese culture?
That's hard. I love the technology and the food. I also loved the fashion scene in Japan. The fashion is very forward but at the same time retro. You’d see girls walking around in outfits that look like they were straight out of the 60’s and 70’s and mixed it with what was current and they would look hot. The traditional Kimono is still worn and the Harajuku scene was also fascinating. The kaiten sushi spots were really cool to me. I wish they had those in Jamaica.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I am adventurous and that I am not scared of challenges.
How did you come up with the title for your new LP?
The title for the LP comes from the song “Kingston State of Mind” which is a single that I wrote and later directed the video for. The song was written and recorded in Kingston, Jamaica. I still live in Kingston and through my observation of some of the realities in the city I chose to address a few things with this song. The majority of my album is being developed in Kingston so the title “Kingston State of Mind” really represents what I have been experiencing around me for the better part of the last two years and seems like a perfect title for the project.
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