The Global Influence of Dancehall Culture
Panelists:
Makonnen Blake Hanna (Artist and Producer)
Joelle Powe (Filmmaker)
Latonya Style (Choreographer)
Moderated by Vincent Brown (Director of History Design Studio and Charles Warren Professor of History)
Makonnen Blake-Hanna’s mission is to unite the world by breaking down the divisions of racism and religion, and bring awareness to mankind via its already-established avenues of communication and digital media technology. Best known in Jamaica as the 13-year-old technology genius who was appointed Youth Technology Consultant to the Government in 1998, in his role as Technology Consultant, Makonnen traveled across the Diaspora to encourage technology use and establish information technology programs at schools with an emphasis on programming, web design and digital media disciplines. In 1999 Makonnen spoke at a special United Nations seminar to establish a Caribbean Digital Diaspora initiative, and was so impressive that he was invited back to the UN 3 months later to speak at an ECOSOC seminar, where he chose to focus on the developing use of technology in Jamaican music. His work led to an award in 2001 of the inaugural Musgrave Youth Award, a prestigious honour presented by the Institute of Jamaica to achievers in the arts, science and literature. His awards also include an IADB MasterCard Youth Entrepreneurship Award in 2004, and a Silver Award in the 2001 Oracle Technologies ThinkQuest Design Competition. Makonnen has worked on social impact projects with the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, as well as former President Jimmy Carter’s The Carter Center. In March 2023 Makonnen was inducted as an Officer of the Royal Guard by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, Chairman of the Crown Council of Ethiopia. Makonnen began his music career at age 7 years composing the theme song for the film “Kids Paradise” sung by Susanne Couch and produced by Tyrone Downie of the Wailers, that won an Audience Award at the 1994 Chicago Children's Film Festival. Makonnen's musical journey took off when his talent as a composer & music producer was recognized by legendary Jamaican musical giants Steely & Clevie whose infections beats gave rise to the Reggaeton genre, and who gave Makonnen an internship at their state-of-the-art Studio. There Makonnen started his foray into mainstream music by recording music with DJ's Aidonia, Fanton Mojah, Turbulance, Lutan Fyah, Erup, Mr Peppa and Wasp, who were upcoming artists at the time, but all of whom have since become household names and legit stars in Jamaica. As producer, Makonnen lists 'Pain” by reggae icon Capelton featuring Bobo Zaro and Contractor as his favourite production. The song was a smash hit for Capelton, who credits Makonnen with giving him a hit every time they work. Other memorable production hits include ‘Tenth Stage' by Vybz Kartel, “Way We Roll” “Poverty” & “Ghetto Life” by Masicka, ' and an updated version of the legendary reggae band Third World's hit "96 Degrees" featuring Stephen & Damian Marley. Makonnen has also been involved with production on songs for Lil Wayne, Sean Paul, Carlos Santana, Akon, Rick Ross, Future, Wiz Khalifa and more.. In 2016 Makonnen produced and recorded “Rockers Revolution”, a solo mix-tape album, working with his production team Natural High Music, that established his name as a solo artist. The album was noticed by music celebrities at home and abroad, including being followed on Twitter by pop music mega star Justin Beiber and the Major Lazer crew. Makonnen has not sidelined his personal music career and continues to record his own songs, while adding to his long list of solo releases, co-productions, as well as singles and collaborations with leading young artists and several established Jamaican reggae stars. He recently worked on music for other production labels that had massive hits for upcoming young stars such as Teejay, Jahvilani, Chronic Law, and ever -ontroversial Munga Honorable. During that time, Makonnen also created a Billboard-charting compilation album "Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica" alongside noted marketing guru and artist Sean "Kontractor" Edwards, who Makonnen helped to make a star years prior. Featuring a Who's Who of Jamaican music including Sean Paul, the Marley brothers and legends like Lee Scratch Perry, alongside international stars like Ed Sheeran, Wyclef Jean, Sean Kingston and others, the album reached the top of the Billboard reggae chart and stayed for weeks, also spawning Reloaded and Collector's Edition versions of the album that charted highly as well. Makonnen is also production manager and engineer for reggae icon Sizzla Kalonji, for whom he has recently produced two albums and multiple singles including two international collaboration. In 2017 Makonnen co-founded FARSIDE, a medical cannabis company and digital app specializing in connecting patients to doctors and related medical treatments, using technology to profile and create the best options for users. The company’s services include product research and development, consultation and project management implementation and deployment. FARSIDE has worked in Jamaica with the Cannabis Licensing Authority, Agriculture Investment Council, Rural Agricultural Development Association and the Ganja Growers & Producers Association. FARSIDE is licensed in the Cayman Islands and through partners in Canada and Jamaica. Now Makonnen heads “The Light Must Unite”, the movement created by the Spirit & Truth” church that works to bring race and religion together in a positive unity that overcomes racism and hatred of other religions. The Spirit & Truth Church represents all world religions, with members from all major denominations and operating in countries around the globe.
Makonnen Blake Hanna / Artist & Producer
Latonya Style is a world-renowned Dancehall choreographer, performer, and instructor. She has been a prominent fixture on the Dancehall scene since 1999 when she started choreographing and touring with top Dancehall artistes. Her illustrious career includes visits to more than 40 countries, teaching Dancehall workshops, and judging international Dancehall battles. Latonya is the founder and CEO of Dance Jamaica Academy, an umbrella agency that pushes Dancehall dancers to international festivals and brings foreigners to Jamaica to learn from local experts. She has certified more than 30 women worldwide to teach her licensed dance style, Stylish Moves, and she is a mentor to many upcoming Dancehall dancers. Latonya Style created ‘DanceJa Awards’, an awards ceremony dedicated to recognizing excellence in Dancehall dance. Style has been featured in many films related to Dancehall. She was a key consultant in Nick Canon’s King of the Dancehall movie, and a lead subject in the documentary, Out There Without Fear. Style published her book, the Stylish Moves Guide and Activity Book in 2021. Style is also an artiste; her single, "Female Dancehall," was a hit in 2020.
Latonya Style / Choreographer
Joelle Simone Powe is an accomplished documentary film director, writer, and researcher from Jamaica. Her work explores controversial personalities and topics in Caribbean history and culture. Her debut documentary, "Out There Without Fear," explores Jamaica’s Dancehall dance and the role of class, race, and gender in the dancehall scene. Her subsequent work, "Beverley Manley Uncensored," a four-part docu-series on the former First Lady of Jamaica, created a national storm with its exploration of a very vexing time in Jamaican history. Powe's documentaries have been screened in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas, with significant presentations at notable academic and cultural institutions. Joelle is also the producer of "ButSeeYa," a mini-documentary series that explores provocative opinions on Caribbean society. Recognized as a "30 Under 30 Changemaker" by the Institute of Caribbean Studies in 2021, Powe holds a BA in Anthropology from Bard College. Her work strives to illuminate the complexities of Caribbean culture for international audiences through a multi-media approach.
Joelle Simone Powe / Filmmaker
Vincent Brown is Charles Warren Professor of American History and Professor of African and African American Studies. He teaches courses in Atlantic history, African diaspora studies, and the history of slavery in the Americas. Brown is the author of The Reaper's Garden: Death and Power in the World of Atlantic Slavery (Harvard University Press, 2008) and Tacky's Revolt: The Story of an Atlantic Slave War (Belknap Press, 2020), and he is producer of Herskovits at the Heart of Blackness (2009), an audiovisual documentary broadcast on the PBS series Independent Lens, and the short video series The Bigger Picture (2022) for PBS Digital Studios.
Vincent Brown / Director of History Design Studio and Charles Warren Professor of History and African & African American Studies
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