STAR on the Rise: Jellissen wants to bring back music’s ‘good ole days’

Recording artiste Jellissen may have only been a toddler when the sounds of the '90s dominated the local music sphere, but the 22-year-old is convinced that was the best era in Jamaican music.

Reminiscing on the days when men and women would hold each other close on the dance floor and groove the night away, Jellissen wants to bring back the 'good ol' days'.

Currently promoting her new single, Street Dance Style, the artiste said that the track will promote male/female interaction on the dance floor again, something she believes has been missing since the '90s.

"We like to reminisce about the good old days when people used to dance to music and not just turn up to watch people dance.

"That's why people are drawn to soca right now. It's not because the music is better, but because fans who go to soca parties, go to just get crazy and dance.

Bringing back the joy

"Nowadays, when people go to dancehall, it's about dressing up and just watch a group of men or a group of women dancing," she said.

"I want people to go back to the days when they enjoyed themselves, the days when men and women danced together and it was all about having fun."

The track, produced by Cornelius Records, was released late last month, and according to the artiste, it has been doing fairly well.

"The reaction has been amazing.

"People are loving the vibe and the energy that the song is bringing across and most importantly, people are dancing. I have received many videos of people dancing and vibing to the song and it makes me feel so good, because that was my intention," she said.

"I also wanted to write about something that represented a lot in our culture, and street dancing not only represents dancing, but it also represents the evolution of our music.

"Street dancing came about in the late 1950s, [to] early 1960s, where people used to come together to dance and listen to music in the street. I really wanted to write about something that would remind people of what street dancing truly represents and would connect and resonate with our people in a positive way."

A music video for the single will be released in coming weeks.

Jellissen, who has been singing since she discovered her love for music, says she is living her dream as an entertainer.

Ready to win

As a child, she entered and won various JCDC competitions and she's now ready to win on the professional music scene.

"I see myself singing for the rest of my life, and I see myself being extremely successful," she said. "I am not only here to say move your body this way and that way. I will also be doing some music to connect with fans spiritually and intellectually, because music is more than just an art form for me."

Her producer, Cornelius, believes she has what it takes to go all the way.

"This artiste is unique and you can tell by the messages in her songs. In a climate where the majority of females a promote sex, it's refreshing to see her take the route that she has with her content, and we had to shine light on that," he said.

He revealed that he will be partnering with the young talent on a few more projects, including her debut EP.