the “Queen of Dancehall” music for her contributions to the popular art in Jamaican music, the artist and serial entrepreneur is calling on young women to pray hard and work hard to achieve their dreams.
Having grown up in poverty in the Old Britain community in Portmore, Hamilton is of the view that her grim childhood played a significant role in shaping her to become a thriving businesswoman and a billboard artist. She noted that sharing a bed with her five siblings nurtured grit and ambition within her, while watching her mother catching fish to sell at her restaurant instilled in her an entrepreneurial spirit.
“I tell my mom that she’s my inspiration because I watched her struggle with all of us. She truly made something out of nothing,” the 39-year-old said during an interview with Forbes. “I come from humble beginnings, and I managed to overcome all of the adversity and boss up,” she added.
When inquired about her experience as a top contender in a male-dominated industry, Hamilton noted that her versatility and stagecraft has allowed her to stand out, while her adaptability to perform very well on stage also provides her with an edge over everyone else “because dancehall music has a lot to do with performances and stage presence”.
She also discussed her role as an entrepreneur and a leading businesswoman, an emphasised a few rules which have enabled her to stay ahead of the game. “Managing multiple businesses isn’t easy,” the billboard artist noted. “As an entrepreneur, you have to make the best and sometimes hard decisions about hiring and firing. You can’t tag along with people who don’t have the same vision as you or share the same dream.”
When inquired about her advice for women who are pushing boundaries to pursue their dreams Hamilton said: “Never to take no for an answer.” “As long as you believe in yourself and your product, go for it—even if others don’t believe in it… It doesn’t matter what you have right now. Pray hard, work hard, and you will be successful,” she added.
