“You know how some people get bored when they’re by themselves for 2 long? I never do because my hobby is to entertain. Sounds corny but I love 2 laugh and love to make people laugh.”
The words of Natalie Storm: a born entertainer who loves the stage of life. According to her, growing up she was the class clown (by choice not default) who would do anything for a good laugh.
“It makes the people around me easier 2 deal with,” she says. “Disarm them with a joke and u good 2 go.”

She is headed for the stars. Natalie is well on her way to conquer the universe as a multi-talented singer, DJ, producer and songwriter. Born Natalie Cole in rural Jamaica, she moved to Kingston as a child; and grew up listening to, and being influenced by the sounds of Motown, Madonna, and female dancehall artistes like Mumma Nancy, Lady Patra and Lady Saw. She attended Franklyn Town primary and Holy Childhood High School where she joined the school choir and successfully auditioned for the Cathy Levy Players, her first steps on her path to a successful career in music.

While in school, Natalie was approached by a producer seeking singers for an all girl reggae group. After a few years as group leader and with an album released by Toshiba-EMI label in Japan, Natalie decided in 2007 to pursue an alternative course. She left the group and began to record material with some of the top producers in Jamaica and across the globe including Swash International, Dylan Powe (Prodigal Ent), Flabba (Mo’Music), Ward 21, Jam 2, Seanizzle, Wildlife (Switzerland), Max Glazer (NYC), Phlatline (Germany), Dre Skull (Mixpak Records), Toddla T (UK), and New York based Stretch Armstrong (who has produced for Nelly Furtado, Lil Kim and Wu tang Clan).

Her unique fashion flair and international sound combined with her hardcore dancehall flavor immediately connected with fans locally and abroad looking for a new sound, making the decision to go solo well worth the effort. She says working with Prodigal Ent/Swash International was one of the best decisions of her life as this relationship opened doors that never existed for her before. It was after her Swash-produced song “Talk Di Ting Dem” was released that she became an official dancehall artiste. The title even became one of the most popular slangs in Dancehall. That “rae rae song,” as she calls it, led to another big moment in her journey to the top- working with Ward 21.
“They are one of a handful of people I look up to in this business. I got 2 bond with them when they were working on the ”Dem Gyal Sit’n” project and the rest was history. They are my mentors and I’ve learned and continue to learn a lot from them.”

This experience is definitely bearing fruit as Natalie can site success not only from adoring fans, frequent airplay or getting the opportunity to work with the industry’s top performers, but she is a proven chart-topper. The video for her very first single “Talk Di Ting Dem” was constantly charted on HYPE TV’s VTX countdown. The dance music remix of her “Hot Love” single featuring Jigsy from Danger Zone Sound, is on constant rotation at clubs all across Europe and North America. Natalie’s more popular releases include “Anuh My Fault” on the “Dem Gyal Sittn Riddim,” “Gal Fi Get Boo” on the “Estrogen Riddim,” and “Body Good” on the “Creeper Riddim.” All well received on radio and in the dancehall alike. Her biggest dancehall hit to date is “Back It Up” produced by Ward 21 on the Tear Up Jeans Riddim. The song became the girls dancing anthem in 2008 and continued it’s reign in 2009 when the video went to number one on RE TV’s MVP chart. The song earned her 2 nominations for Richie B’s EME awards and one nod for RE TV’s MVP award for 2009. Trust me the video, it bad. From the jungle scene with the well-placed eye twinkles, to Natalie on the bike in her fru-fru skirt, to her pulled-up in front the car in the middle of nowhere… ya, can you tell that I like it???? The accolades are well-deserved.

Natalie has appeared as the featured artiste on five tracks for Danish super group Enur’s Raggatronic album. Enur is the group whose international hit “Calabria” has swept worldwide pop charts selling well over a million units. Natalie toured with them in 2008 and continue to represent for the album.

Never one to rest, since 2008 Natalie has embarked on a new musical project with gal pals and fellow artistes, Tifa and Timberlee who comprise the super trio TNT (Tifa/Natalie /Timberlee). With the release of their critically acclaimed mix cd, 3 the hard way, they’ve captured the ears and attention of heavyweights the world over and have been featured in the Fader and XLR8 magazines and also performed at the Levi Jeans CMJ showcase in New York to rave reviews. They’ve been featured on RE TV’s infamous school tour in 2009 and have also traveled to Belize, New York and done countless performances in Jamaica, including Sting 2008.

The work does not end there for Natalie, however, as she decided to don the producer’s cap. Her first production effort, “Cheez Trix Riddim,” was released in late 2009 to much internet and street buzz. It features artistes such as Macka Diamond, Bugle, Charlie Black, and Natalie herself (I mean come on??!?) She did a video for her single (“God Bless Me”) which made it’s way to HYPE TV’s VTX chart and is currently one of the most rotated video on local media outlets island wide, including TVJ, RE TV and HYPE TV. The video is also featured on the Fader’s website as well as a host of popular blogs on the net.

I know by now you are wondering. Where does she find time for a man, right??? Well guys, she just got out of a relationship. Don’t get too excited though, because she says that she is a lady who speaks her mind and takes care of herself. Not a lot of guys can handle Natalie Storm. So 2010 is all about work unless right man comes along. In the meantime she has the love and support of friends and family.

I think that that is awesome cause let me tell you 2010 is ram pack. You zeet. Natalie’s first release of 2010 “Permanent Hiding” shows off her singing talent. It’s a love song based on a personal experience (hmm wonder if ex-boyfriend had anything to do with it). I am actually listening to it as I write this and this is about the 20th round, honest. It is definitely growing on me. After that she is releasing a video for the song on the JUMEIRAH EP called “Look Pon Me”. And just so you know (**smirk**-mi dat boasting eh not Natalie, LOL) Jumeirah EP became the number 2 most downloaded dance music EP being sold on Juno in December 2009 and is available for sale on other popular music outlets including iTunes, and Amazon. In March she will be dropping an EP that she describes in one word: siiiccckkk! And there’s still more:
“More work with my mentors, Ward 21 and Prodigal Ent. Plus lots more from the production end. Some singles on my own label, Maxine Music. I’m excited. It’s almost like I’m falling in love with music all over again.”

You know people in love usually get very creative and do a lot of writing too. Did I mention she’s already started on her autobiography? Arite Natalie. Well keep making waves in the business; just remember every journey needs a couple of rest stops and moments to enjoy the scenery.

Fearless producer, TNT member, Natural entertainer... Natalie Storm you are officially Lime Certified!

Q&A

1. What have you done for a friend without being asked?
Apart from giving them money (and this is a regular habit 4 me cause I’m a sucker for sad stories), I once let a friend come live with me when they never had anywhere 2 live ( Biggest mistake ever). It was fun at first but some friends you should never live with. It sounds mean but u learn from experience.

2. If you could ask any artist past or present for career advice who would you pic?

Bob Marley and Elvis. They are legends and that’s what I aspire 2. I wanna have my name live on and spoken with awe and reverence from tots 2 greats. Gimmie 5 mins alone with these 2 and I’d know the secret 2 power beyond the grave, lol.

3. Are you the youngest, middle, or oldest child and how has that shaped the way you look at the world?

I am the eldest of 3 children. Grew up with a single mom and the burden of understanding, responsibility and maturity fell upon my shoulders way b4 I ever wanted it 2 but it made me who I am 2day: A little insecure but a tough cookie that’s hard 2 crumble, sad experiences but a big heart with a lot of love in spite of that, and 1 hell of a fighter (big smile).

4. If you could take part in the X-games, which sport would you pick?

Hmmm…I’m not really a X-games fanatic but I’d try something I’ve never done before like motocross or skateboarding. I’m afraid of motorcycles and falling so if I made it 2 the end then I’d have conquered my fears.

5. What car best describes you?

A bug. Likkle but tallawah!

6. What do you like most about your Jamaican heritage?

When I was a child I used to love festival time. I couldn’t wait for the festival song competition. JBC (now TVJ) used to carry little programs on our nation’s history and folk songs and Jankunu…What can I say, I was a nerd and proud of it! Lol.

7. I havent heard of a Natalie Storm beef with anyone. If you were challenged by another female in the industry would you be compelled to answer?

That’s true, I’ve never had beef with anyone. If I’m doing my thing that’s the only thing I’m gonna focus on. If another artiste feels threatened by that then that’s sad. I’d never acknowledge a diss song. I’m just not insecure enough.

8. Are there any misconceptions/stereotypes about you you would like to clear up?

There are so many stereotypes about females on a whole in this industry. Most people after meeting me say “U nice”, like they were expecting otherwise. I guess because I sing so many tracing songs dem a expect a big bully(smile). They think I’d hype and be too caught up in my own importance to be down to earth or real. And there are people out there who look at u and write u off as illiterate based on what u do and sing about. I laugh at them sometimes. In this day and age I thought people would have already learned the lesson: Never judge a book by the cover.

9. what is your most used word or phrase?

I must confess there are a few. I used 2 say Bumboclaat all the time and my friends would say u sound so uptown. So every time I find myself saying it I quickly switch 2 fuck then it always ends up sounding like “blood-fuck”. It’s become my most used word especially when I’m annoyed. When I say it my friends are like WTF??!! But they’ve gotten used to it now. “Really?”, that’s another favorite of mine.

10. What are your favorite-

Dancehall artist: Shabba because “trail a load” is 1 of the first songs I can remember knowing from start 2 finish.

Perfume: That would have 2 be Coco Chanel.

Thing to do on a boring day: Go to the beach or cook ( and I only do the latter when I’m bored, Lol).

Dish: 2 many 2 name but if I had 2 choose 1 it would be ackee+saltfish. I eat that with everything. With rice. With eggs. With bun. With bulla. Ackee and everything (smile).

Thing about the opposite sex: Hmmm…It’s different for me with each person but I sometimes have a weakness for a nice ass and smile.

Go With Your Gut

11. Best smile with a space teeth-Da'Ville or I-Octane?

Neither but if I have 2 choose then I-octane.<

12. Cars or bikes?
Cars -I like to think they’re safer.

13. Blue or yellow?

Yellow -It’s the color of the sun.

14. Knowledge or wisdom?

Wisdom - U can get this thru experience.

15. Boardgames or movies?

Movies - More entertaining 2 me.

Finish It

16. No one knows that I can cook.

17. Condoms are like air; U can never go without it or you‘ll get fucked and die.

18. I am weak for anything with cheese and men who cook.

19. When I am stressed (or sad) I listen 2 sad music. It always cheers me up.

20. Natalie Storm is schizo, lol!

MySpace.com/nataliestorm

Facebook Page

Twitter.com/nataliestorm

The question of whether culture can be separated from politics has been asked time and time again without any conclusive answers. Over the last twenty-five years Governments have come to realize the tremendous power of music, regardless of the genre. Entertainers have also realized how crucial a role they play in the advancement of socio-political, religious and economic issues that affect millions of people internationally. Thus in this time an entertainer can either be the voice of the people, a perpetrator of hype and propaganda or a conscious analyst, whose mission is to inspire and educate all who come in contact with his or her music. As an entertainer one must accept the responsibility that comes with having the power to sway opinions, and to influence the behaviour of mannerism of thousands of people through one song.

Nelly Stharre’s music through her sophomore album Soul Country established her as a social commentator of exceptional relevance, especially in these crucial times. Born in her native Dominica, Nelly's introduction to music was a song entitled "Wake up Mike" written in the heat of general elections in Dominica in 1989. The song was intended to make Dominicans laugh at the unrealistic promises of politics. However, the song was categorized as being a classic. Nelly says she hails from the Nature Island of "Waitukubuli", which was later 'rediscovered' and named Dominica by Christopher Columbus. Born in 1974 the year the Dread Act was passed, under the Tribe of Joseph in the month of February. "They call us "Revolutionary Babies." As a child Nelly grew up in a home where music was ever present. Her favourite artists included the late Nina Simone, known for her unapologetic stance against injustice and racial discrimination. Nelly's other favourite was Billy " Lady Day" Holiday who wrote a number of indelible chapters in Jazz and whose anthem " God Bless The Child that Got His Own" inspired millions, Nelly Stharre included.

Nelly’s music is a unique amalgamation of world beats and fusions, that to date has produced an exquisite and exciting blend of 'One Drop reggae', with songs like “Prick An Eye,” “Building Bridges," and "Inside Of Me" from her RainJah collection; and from her latest album Soul Country "Poor In My Pocket" and “Peace In The Middle East". Soul Country was produced by the inimitable Clive Hunt, who has also worked with other French artists such as Alpha Blonde from Cameroon, Pierpoljak out of France, Boukman Eksperyans, Haiti's leading band, Kreyol Syndikat and "Rai" music Star Khaled from Algeria. As a Rastafarian, Nelly has brought musicians to their feet at Dominica's World Creole Music Festival, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, at live events in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Grenada, Miami, London, Trinidad and Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica. She brings to centre stage an attitude that comprises a sense of purpose and an authenticity as a Caribbean woman. Her music also echoes and fully endorses her versatility as an exceptional Reggae, Jazz, Blues and world Beat artiste, who's understanding of Caribbean culture has influenced her unique sound.

Nelly is married to Govan Wiggan, a Jamaican who plays an active role as manager and administrator, of their Calabash Heights International Records based in Jamaica and Dominica. Her music has always been ahead of it's time; her new, clear approach to music in general has influenced forward thinking artists throughout the English and French Speaking Caribbean. Singer, songwriter, entertainer and musicologist, Nelly Stharre's music brings into sharp focus an in-depth understanding of Reggae and RastafarI. She also demonstrates on albums such as Soul Country, that she has an international awareness of the power of music, especially Reggae. She is now using this influence as was seen in her recent 2010 Year of the Child Concert held in Dominica, proceeds of which will go to a local charity aiding troubled youth. She has also gone into the world of film production, with the release of the DVD Dominica the Secret Garden.
(adapted from Nelly's MySpace page)

Influential RastararI Woman, Producing Singer and Nature Island Girl…Nelly Stharre you are officially Lime Certified!

Q&A

1. I remember you in High School as having great comic timing and a natural on the stage. Though you are still on stage do you see acting in your future?

At school I was very much involved in drama and acting. I used to write songs that talked about all the things that bothered me about school, society, even at home. And even at an early age I realized how young people were not respected for their views or their contributions to the building up or breaking down of our society- even though we played a major role...We were the future...And so, even At that young age the stage became a medium for us to get thru to the people, bringing our point accross through the arts...In those days acting was what I fully enjoyed the most. As a child no one wants to hear serious issues directly, so we did comedy skits about different agendas that affected us. A lot of them were satires about the things we take for granted like how teachers would deal with children speaking patwa (Creole) in school, hygiene, or having a white Christmas in the tropics. We never knew what ‘chestnuts’ were or ‘dashing thru the snow’ even. For years I thought ‘Dashing’ was Dasheen and associated it with digging. So for me, it was more appropriate to say bread-nut (as opposed to chestnut) or dashing thru laboo (mud) or Romeo asking Juliet to speak patwa because she came from country not England...But those times called for those things. Today I love my music. To I, music is the weapon of the people with no guns and ammunition. I love singing and I don't think I would take up acting more than doing some charity work for a cause.


2. What did you do yesterday?
I travelled from Dominica to Antigua to Kingston Jamaica


3. Can you tell us about the transition from living in Dominica to living in Jamaica?
First of all, I love being a Dominican ... I Think I was privileged to be born in one of the most enchanting places in the world... Mother Nature takes it to a next level in Dominica. My connection in Jamaica is not just thru music but it is because My Kingman (of the past 15 years) is Jamaican and our Youths are Jamaicans...
Like they love to say, as much as Dominica is a glorious place to live we still have a lot of growing to do. Fromthe implementation of the Dread Act in the seventies to today, DA has not moved far from the mentality of discrimination towards Rasta people. This discrimination has become so rooted in our culture that people don't even realize it, but it is obvious... In my opinion it is only Rasta that can bring my little paradise to the next level: Overstanding Nature and utilizing what we have to bring development without destroying her beauty.
Jamaica on the other hand, in spite of what the media puts out to the world, is my second home... I love the pride in Jamaican people-- even the sweety vendor on the side of the street. She knows herself, her history, where she coming from; and even though she sits on the side of the road, everyday she will tell you about Marcus Garvey and Nanny of the maroons-even Obama and Osama. Jamaicans take pride in educating their people. Not just in schools but also thru the media, arts, culture. So much we can learn from each other. Not trying to criticize Dominica, because we are advantageous in so many ways over Jamaica. The number one for me is that we cannot go hungry or thirsty it such a fruitful place. Jah has blessed us with so much it is questionable why we cannot move forward and become one of the richest countries in this hemisphere. My thing is, we are still restricted in as to what we can talk about on the radio, the programs that are shown on our local television, what we write in the chronicles. There is no room for questioning; just acceptance of what is put before us as in a typical Catholic society. Listen, I could go into detail about it but let’s just leave it simple. We do have a lot of work to do. As for my family, we are nomads moving from place to place… I love taking them to the hot water pools in Wotten Waven, or alone on miles of beach in La Plaine, or Portsmouth in the north of Dominica; and I also love when I walk in the streets in Jamaica with my tribe and everyone hails them up with raspect and royalty rather than confronted with the question over and over about why my children have their dread lox and why I didn't I give them the choice. Hey, my parents did not give me a choice whether I wanted to be baptized in the Catholic church; but they can feel free to ask my youths about themselves and I guarantee they would not ask them twice...but hey that's a whole other essay...


4. Why RastafarI?
I did not choose RastafarI -RastafarI chose I


5. Who would you most like to have met before they died? What would you have told them?
There are so many great people we would have loved to meet... but I know that everyone who is significant to our growth as spiritual beings in this life and the next, over and over come to us... and I would much rather meet them and tell them thank you...again and again.


6. Do you have a morning routine?
If I am at home and not on the road, I give thanks; even before I even open up my eyes. The fact that the sun rises into a new day is so much to give thanks for. I give Jah thanks for everything-love, life, my children, my troubles and tribulations-I give thanks for them;
and a great Kingman: a supportive and wonderful father. I give thanks for the strenght of all the people around me. Then I rise at 5:00 and wake up the youts at 5:30 to get them ready for school, prepare breakfast, snacks, jump in the car, pick up the carpool, three stops for school…home...do homely things, do my best to find the time to do my voice exercises. That’s my morning routine. My evening routine is another thing.


7. Name your top five favourite artists (not including your self)
I have seven
*Burning Spear
*Queen Omega
*Culture
*Peter Tosh
*Sister Cristine
*Steele Pulse
*Daweh Congo


8. What is always on your beside table?
Bible, herb, pipe.


9. What kind of tree best describes you?
Baobab Tree. If you have never seen one look it up.


10. If you could spy on anyone who would it be and why?
I would not spy on anyone for any reason

Go With Your Gut

11. Which is the best place for a date, beach or sofa?
Neither.


12. Which do you prefer-a sexy smile or great hands (on a guy)?
He could be toothless; with rough, working hands- now that’s a real man


13. Rooftop party or basement party?
Depends on the host.


14. Knowledge or wisdom?
Wisdom.


15. Good food or good lovin?
Both.






Finish It

16. Men just want to be men.

17. If I had superhuman powers I would want to teach people how to get along.

18. Condoms cannot solve the problem.

19. Reggae music is love.

20. Nelly Stharre is a musical revolutionary!




My favorite Nelly Stharre song "Peace and Love" enjoy!



Dominica the Secret Garden

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Who is Christina Benjamin? Well, before October 3rd 2009, when I attended the Ocean Style/KERRYManWomanHome fashion show at Half Moon Bay Resort, she really was nobody to me. I didn’t even know she existed! She was the last thing on my mind as I made my way through photographers, TV crews and Jamaican socialites with my list in hand of the-whos-whos that I was going to talk to and exchange contact info with: Constance White, Phillip Bloch, Lennox Lewis and Tanya Stephens for starters. Diddy’s first baby mama (Misa Hylton Brim) was in the house for crying out loud! But believe it or not the first person I approached was Ms. Christina Benjamin, and not because she was gorgeous with the long curly tresses and killer curves. Not that I was checking her out like that or what not. LOL. It was something more. Something about her just said “Hey, I’m cool. I could be in Mr. Vegas video doing Sassa step and still rock it with fashionable entrepreneurs like Kerry-Ann Clarke (the KERRY in KERRYManWomanHome).

And so, I approached her. “Hi what’s your name?”
(Big, welcoming smile) “Christina Benjamin. I’m host of College Lifestyle TV which launches in November.”
“OMG, I saw your magazine at the UWI bookstore with Assassin on the cover, God he is so hott (no really I think I said that, probably licked my lips and rolled my eyes too…..woosh)

Great call. She is a TV host! Cool! And she works with a magazine that I have fallen in love with—one that has taken advantage of a niche market that was totally being ignored by commercial interests. Damn why didn’t I think of that? O yeah, too busy blogging.

So, of course I made sure that on the night of the first episode I was glued in front a TV screen. It just so happened to be at Pure Lounge and along with mine, were several pairs of eyes taking in Christina and the scenes of Jamaicans surfing in St. Thomas, Protoje in the studio and Kim-Marie Spence in a freezer (get the magazine to find out why). Wow, she is good. She makes doing this look so easy. It’s not. You have to radiate ease, comfort, joy, confidence and Christina oozes it. Ok but enough about her looks and personality. Can she back the chat?

Most definitely; she had earned her stripes at Appleby College and University of Western Ontario from which she graduated with an Honors Degree in Media Information and Technoculture/Broadcast Journalism. At Fanshawe College Christina won the prestigious Current Affairs Producer of the Year Award for documentary production. She has continued her noteworthy documentaries since graduating, focusing on social justice and human rights issues. Christina has interviewed international personalities including two UN representatives during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire, Head of the U.N Peacekeeping Forces and Major Brent Beardsley, co-authors of the award-winning book ‘Shake Hands with the Devil’.

With her need to initiate social change even if it is on a small level (as in human itrospection-which when you think of it is actually pretty major) Christina started her own charity-One People and has held several fundraising events in Toronto, London, Ontario and now Jamaica where she has returned and calls home. Through the organization, Christina hopes to build a mentorship programe, matching inspiring/prominent Jamaican personalities with underprivileged youths, thus providing them with positive relationships with mentors they otherwise might not have. I am confident she will get the assistnace she needs as she has already interviewed some local industry heavyweights such as, Mykal Rose (Grammy award winning artist/ former lead singer of Black Uhuru/ "Shoot Out"), Beenie Man, (Baby) Cham, Elephant Man, and Mobile. Non-Jamaican interviewees include Collie Buddz, Brody Jenner (MTV’s The Hills), Akon and 112.


When Christina is not busy producing documentaries, hosting College Lifestyle TV, writing for the magazine and organizing her charity, she still finds time to write and perform original songs. To date, she has performed with the likes of Jamaica's award winning choir- the Nexus Performing Arts Company, and has had the opportunity to perform onstage with notable performers such as Lou Gramm, Elephant Man, The I Threes, Mavado, Karen Smith and Beres Hammond, among others. With the choir, she performed at the Homecoming Celebrations of the 2009 Olympians, as well as at the 2009 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.


You know how people like to talk about how there aren’t any role models around especially on TV? I wish they could meet Christina or at least watch her on CVM every Monday night at 9PM. I think they would find a beautiful girl, full of charm and confidence, who is down to earth, and fiercely proud of her Jamaican heritage. I think her title of “Beauty with a Purpose” at Miss Jamaica World 2009 sums her up quite nicely. Don’t you?

Camera darling, caring leader, inspiring singer Christina Benjamin you are Lime Certified!





Q&A

1. What is always on your bedside table?
The book I'm reading at the time, lip balm, water, vitamins (they have to be right in front of my face or I forget them). Wow, I sound like such a grandma!



2. What are your main goals for 2010?
For 2010, I want to finish a documentary I've been working on since early 2009-- I'm very passionate about it. I want to push College Lifestyle to the limits of its potential and I would like to learn a bit more about television production and editing-- being with the College Lifestyle crew, around established directors like Mykal Cushnie has really taught me a lot already. I want to get my charity One People up and running in Jamaica as soon as possible, but if you want something done properly you have to have patience and put the time into it-- I'm doing the research/ ground work now.


3. If you could eat one food in excess without gaining a pound what would it be?
This is a difficult question. I love food: chocolate, cheesecake, Thai food, Wendy's chicken sandwiches. Answering this is just making me hungry…next question! :-P


4. What are your worst/best habits?
I'm a perfectionist, so I'm very critical of my work; I'm also a procrastinator-- which may actually be a good thing because I work best under pressure. As you can imagine, together these things make an interesting mix.


5. What tree best describes you?
Coconut tree— Native to the islands, you can come with as many hurricanes as you’d like, but I won’t break that easily and I can seem a bit nutty but I’m also pretty sweet :-D.


6. Can you describe your fashion sense and what inspires it?
My fashion sense is quite dynamic-- I'm always willing to try something new, but I definitely gravitate towards exotic designs and unique pieces. I'm inspired by anything and everything-- from the pages of Vogue and In Style to those of National Geographic (lol).


7. If you could change anything about the world or the people in it what would it be and why?
I would like to see more altruism between human beings worldwide, but especially here in Jamaica. The divide between poor and rich is growing. Crime and violence continue to plague our island, but what we don’t seem to understand is that every criminal, every murderer was once a child—a child that was taught to believe from a very young age that this is the easiest and, in some cases, the only means of escape from a life of poverty. We cannot blame criminals without blaming ourselves as a society at some point. We adults are the role models that the Jamaicans of tomorrow will learn from—if we show them only war lyrics, war movies, and intolerance then that is all we will get from them in return. So I’d like to see more altruism and less discrimination—we (especially the media) need to stop putting our stamp of approval on violence by glamorizing it --- no school child should ever think it’s ‘cool’ to wear a ‘Gully’ or ‘Gaza’ t-shirt with ‘War’ in mind. If we continue to judge a person’s worth based on their musical preferences, class, race, political, sexual or religious orientations we will just perpetuate a cycle where each hates the next and where all continue to suffer.


8. What three things must you have in your purse ?
My Blackberry, chewing gum (I’m addicted!) and whatever book I’m reading at the time (I’m always reading!).


9. What song best describes your life right now?
Lee Ann Womack – “I Hope You Dance”. I’m not really a fan of country music, but this song perfectly describes my way of thinking right now.


10. What are your favorite:
Hotel: I don’t really have a favourite hotel—I like Frenchman’s Cove though.

Piece of clothing: I don’t really have one favourite piece. However, I can tell you the story behind one of my favourite pieces: I have a top that was my great-grandmother’s (she’s 95 years old), it was passed down to my mom and then I salvaged it from her closet— I get complements every time I wear it out.

Alcoholic beverage: I don’t drink very often, but when I do drink it’s either a glass of wine (or more likely half a glass) or (on the other side of the spectrum) a glass of Coconut rum and Coke.

Thing to do on a boring day: Life is too short for any day to be considered boring— when I’m not working I like to read, paint, write, sing, dance…jump out of planes (joking!).


Cartoon Character:I love Disney's Mulan, she's a strong female cartoon character. I love her bravery and audacity-- to dress up as a man in order to fight for her country and save her ailing father from having to go to war-- her character pushes the boundaries and shows girls that they don't have to be a demure princess to have the Disney fairytale




Go With Your Gut

11. Knowledge or wisdom?
Wisdom
(Love this quote: “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people are so full of doubts” (Bertrand Russell))


12. Assassin’s lips or Tyson Beckford’s eyes?
Assassin’s lips (Jah know star......sigh...)


13. Custard or jello?
NEITHER! Strawberry Cheesecake! :-D


14. Lace or leather
Both


15. Sexy or cheesy (male strippers)?
The stripper-SEXY--- but a man in a thong is just CHEESY:-P

Finish It

16. I am inspired by anyone who has made a selfless contribution to his/her community/environment.

17. Condoms are necessary-- please buy, buy, buy them and make sure to use them too!

18. I love my family and friends – they have taken me through incredibly difficult times and I’m blessed to have them.
19. If I had superhuman powers I would collect Bob Marley from the past so I could witness him receiving his long overdue Grammy. I would then give an incredible performance (because I have superpowers ;-) ), singing with him onstage. After that, I would fly to the White House to interview Barack Obama, and then have a Red Stripe with him and Oprah at my underwater lair. Later, I would don my pirate costume and fly around the world with Barrack dressed as Batman and Oprah as Super Woman fighting crime and saving the poor from the indecently rich 2% of the world’s population.

20. Christina Benjamin is a person who loves the limelight but appreciates solitude. She enjoys singing, dancing, writing songs or poems, and painting -- anything to express creativity. She is an activist-- she hates injustice. She is a survivor. She has witnessed some of the worst things life can bring, yet still believes that the best is around the corner. Christina is a child at heart, but she's also an intellectual. She is very passionate and feels that every person has the ability to positively influence someone else's life. Christina is ambitious, she's a journalist, a feminist, and a huge nerd and proud of it ;-).

Check out Christina in action!

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