CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Former Dancehall Queen Latesha encourages local dancers to be more creative as it relates to marketing their product.

According to the queen, some dancers think the only means to promote themselves is via showboating at dancehall sessions.

Latesha recently returned from the United Kingdom where she performed at several venues alongside fellow dancers Ding Dong, Crazy Hype, and Badda Bling. She was also featured on one of Japan's most popular entertainment magazines, where she nabbed the front page, making her the first Jamaican dancehall personality to achieve such an approval.

"Sometimes I do stuff, but I don't really speak about it, so people don't really know that I am still so involved. I was in Japan for a while hosting, dancing, and promoting," she revealed.

"I was in Japan for three and half weeks. things have been happening internationally. The title, Dancehall Queen, still works for me. I utilise it and keep doing work, so there is a demand for me in the market. I set my thing different because I take it as a career, and I do dancing out of genuine love and not just the money," she said.

Latesha, who makes her own connections and handles her own bookings, says touring provides enough capital for her to survive and maintain her livelihood.

She is now planning her November European tour and has already secured bookings in Sweden, Paris, Finland, and Rome. She will also make an appearance in Persia.

"Dancers need to get out of the box. they have talent, but they just dress up and go on the street and dance, but it's more than that. You can even make a portfolio and send it to corporate companies. just be creative," she said.

She says social networks should be properly utilised for promotion, and dancers should work towards creating a good reputation for themselves so that they can be globally marketable.

Latesha is looking to start her own dance school in coming years. She is also promoting new female dance moves such as the Bully and the Power Up. The latter was featured in Macka Diamond's song of the same title.

She is also gearing up to host her annual birthday celebration called Dancehall Queen link-up on the January 3, 2014. The event will be hosted at 22 Barbican Road, next to Village Café.

"Shout out to Dance Ja's Latonya Style; Kia Moves from Italy; Chris Rock who is looking about our permits and all Jamaicans supporting our entertainment industry!" she said.