Five Questions with Pamputtae

Riding high on the wave of the newly released Likkle Miss Fine Nine Remix with Nicki Minaj and seven other female Caribbean artistes, dancehall deejay Pamputtae is overjoyed and grateful. It is the season of transformation for the entertainer, who not only changed up her look, but says she is holding herself to high standards in music and her personal life. Her work, she says, is the ultimate display of her worth. Pamputtae, whose real name is Eveana Henry, has always thrilled fans with her hardcore dancehall sound, and her lyrical prowess was evident on the Fine Nine track. This week, she speaks with The Gleaner about the collaboration and the moves she is making in life and her career.

1) You have been featured on the Likkle Miss Remix with Nicki Minaj. Tell us the story of how it came about and what it means to you.

You know Nicki Minaj is a fan of Pamputtae long time. Me have some way-back songs wah Nicki Minaj know and love and always a dance to cause she respect my craft. She know Pamputtae a bad artiste from long time and she gwaan wid arself and wine and so on and tell mi wah kind of vibes mi song dem give ar and suh. Me deh a Canada and she message me and ask mi if mi wah put [on] an eight bar, and mi seh ‘if mi wah’ hear mi nuh ‘wah do Nicki Minaj’. Mi tell her sey mi ready long time. When mi get the message me feel so good. Mi bawl out and sey yes. All if a one line me did sing mi woulda feel good cause this a [one] big, big push internationally. Right now, Pamputtae a trend.

2) You pride yourself on staying out of the mix and focusing on your children and career. As a female dancehall artiste, is that difficult to do? And in what ways do you think more women can come together in dancehall?

It is not difficult for me because I know what I want, I know what I am worth, and I know where I am coming from, so it is not difficult for me. My kids are my lifestyle, my every day. In terms of unity, you know a nuh everybody pon the track ‘gree, a nuh everybody a friend, a nuh everybody talk. I say that to say we don’t have to be friends to share the stage and make money, and once we can put feelings aside, we can do great things for the music.

3) What has been the biggest obstacle you faced this year, and how did you overcome it? Can you share some more of your career plans for this year as well?

I honestly wouldn’t even say I have faced any obstacles. In life you win, you lose, you live [and] you learn, so I just try fi do the best I can everyday. For this year, I am planning to release more music videos, more collabs and singles. Mi a work pon everything. A just God and time.

4) What are the greatest lessons you have learnt about dating, motherhood, and music?

In terms of motherhood, my kids taught me how to love and share and make some sacrifices. As my grandma said, if you want good, your nose affi run. In terms of music, it is a mission and not a competition. The stage is big, and all we can share it. Music nuh live a nobody yaad. Today fi me, tomorrow fi you. For dating now, mi all right, enuh. Dem all right and me all right. Right now in life, you win, you lose, you live, you learn. Nothing is [a surprise].

5) If someone should spend an entire day with you, what would it look like? Walk us through it from start to finish.

First thing when me wake up, mi pray. Mi post pon mi status ‘up and thankful’ then send the kinds go to school then run my errands and go studio. If me go work out, mi work out. Then [the] last thing is to pray again.

aaliyah.cunningham@gleanerjm.com