Macka keeps fit in the business - Jamaica Observer

[Anguillan newsboy]

Macka keeps fit in the business
Hot Dandy Shandy video hits local screens soon Kyle Campbell
Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Dandy Shandy director Ras Tingle during the shoot on Wednesday. TEENage Choice Awards Female Artiste of the Year, Macka Diamond, is taking 2007 by storm. With residual hit Bun Him featuring Black-Er and new hits this year Wholla Hoop and Dandy Shandy, Macka has a lot going for her. Bun Him!! (the book) is hugely successful and Macka will leave later this week for book-signing stops and shows in Antigua, Bahamas, Florida, New York and the Anguilla carnival. On top of all that is happening to her professionally, news reached TEENage that Macka is engaged - but the date or location (Jamaica or Paris) has not been decided on. TEENage sat down with the Charmaine 'Macka Diamond' Munroe on her video shoot in Tivoli.
Money O! Everybody in Jamaica knows the catch phrase of the Queen of Money, the Money Goddess herself, Macka Diamond. She recently shot the video (on Wednesday to be exact) for her song Dandy Shandy, which is on the Madness riddim, in Tivoli Gardens.
TEENage arrived on set to see a very ***y, energetic Macka, who was surrounded by a host of dancers, showcasing the dance for the video. Macka went mad with the dancing and started showing it all off to the camera, while the back-up dancers danced and played Dandy Shandy.
Even in the rain Macka Diamond kept the vibes going during the Dandy Shandy shoot. (Photos: Joseph Wellington) In the midst of the on-and-off rain, Macka showed she didn't care as she danced up a storm! She glistened and shined in the little light that the sun provided. Her outfit was HOT!
Decked out in fashions by Bwoy Beatazz and the Uniform Centre (which was for a special dance scene), Macka and the dancers 'did a say one'.
The outfits had a certain retro look and showed Macka's great taste in new fashions. TEENage found the song and dance to be catchy, as we couldn't help but move to the beat. TEENage had a chat with Macka about the video and here's what she had to say:
TEENage: What is the concept of the video?
Macka Diamond: It's basically playing Dandy Shandy and showing off the dance.
TEENage: Why did you choose Tivoli to shoot the video?
Macka Diamond: We get a lot of support from the people here, and we can get a lot of shots here, plus it have a nice, homey vibe.
Macka Diamond and some of the dancers that appear in her new video Dandy Shandy. TEENage: What other video shoot do you have coming up?
Macka Diamond: I have to do Laptop, that's on the Overdue riddim.
TEENage: Who did the make-up and hair for the shoot?
Macka Diamond: Make-up was done by Charmain Duhaney from Body Accents and the hair was by Zion from Kamanee House.
TEENage: Who directed the video?
Macka Diamond: It's directed by Ras Tingle, on TD-Films/Slingshot.
TEENage: How do you feel about the response you got on your book Bun Him!!?
Macka Diamond: It's been good, we just trying to cover the overseas market, but everything has been a success.
TEENage: When is the next album coming out?
Macka Diamond: Well, because of the book, my album is pushed back until next year, but you can look out for that!
TEENage: What other scenes are in the video?
Macka Diamond: We have like three scenes here, but we also shooting at P***a P***a.
TEENage: What has made you change your look so much?
Macka Diamond: It's really because of the dancing, I have to come with fresh new looks, keep changing it up.
TEENage: Do you have a good 'lucky charm' when you perform?
Macka Diamond: No, not really, I guess prayer is my other luck.
TEENage: How do you keep fit?
Macka Diamond: You know, I skip. Whenever I miss going to the gym, I just skip. One thousand skips a day keeps the fat away (laughs).
The shoot was done in one day and was full of vibes despite the rain. With the positive vibe of Macka and her dancers, the video truly sell off. TEENage can't wait to see the final edited version. Big up to the Tuff Enuh dancers, who are already famous for being in Busy Signal's Jail and also Macka Diamond's hot video Wholla Whoop. Good job!