After publicly calling for female Dancehall entertainers to be given the opportunity to headline and sell out Barclays Center, Vanessa Bling is taking her campaign for women in the genre a step further. The “Independent Ladies” hitmaker has opened a new state-of-the-art recording and mixing studio. It is offering free recording sessions to emerging female artistes who are serious about developing their craft.
The move is designed to remove some of the financial barriers that can prevent talented young women from accessing professional recording facilities. Vanessa Bling’s high-end studio will provide recording and mixing services in a professional environment for artistes looking to develop, refine and bring their music to life. “I want to create opportunities for young women who are serious about their music. Sometimes all an artiste needs is somebody to believe in them and give them a chance,” Bling said.
The initiative comes shortly after Vanessa Bling publicly floated the idea of an all-female Dancehall showcase at Barclays Center, arguing that the genre’s leading women have the ability to fill the prestigious Brooklyn arena. Her call drew a positive response from Reggae Fest promoter CJ Milan, who reportedly declared that such a moment “will definitely happen”. The proposal follows a period in which major Dancehall names have increasingly taken centre stage at Barclays Center, including Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Alkaline and Masicka.
For Vanessa Bling, however, the conversation is not just about securing a major stage for established female stars. It is also about creating opportunities for the next generation before they get there. With her new studio, the Dancehall entertainer is backing her advocacy with practical support, giving young female artistes a chance to create music in a professional environment without the burden of recording fees. As calls grow for greater female representation in Dancehall, Vanessa Bling appears determined to help ensure that more women are ready when the biggest stages finally open.
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