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September 1, 2021

Empress Cece on How Dance Empowers Women and Tackling Sexism in Dancehall

written by Caribbean Collective Magazine

It’s a hot summer day as Empress Cece speaks on her love affair with dance on a Zoom call.  The Brooklyn-based dancer is known for her fluid motions and appearances in videos by Caribbean music artists like Charly Black and Lyrikal among others.

The Jamaican American dancer moved to Brooklyn when she was two and was raised there.

“We’re [family] all Brooklynites!” Empress Cece says.

The dance entrepreneur started dancing at four years old. Her formal training started with traditional African dance —West African dance specifically, and then transitioned to East African dance which are different style of dance.

“[They] are totally different body movements. I can’t say that I knew dance was my passion as a young child, but I always knew it was in me,” Empress Cece says.

She participated in stepping for three years and says Caribbean culture played a big influence in her dance style.

“Of course Caribbean culture is there and intertwines with music. Dancehall and soca are in the household,” Empress Cece says.

The dancer’s Dance & Drip workshops are about more than just burning calories. While she wants women to be able to use the workshops to blow off steam and get an adrenaline boost, she says the classes foster a sense of sisterhood.

“It’s almost like a dance sisterhood, it’s about sweating, feeling great and meeting new women.We women judge each other and can sometimes frown upon each other, but sometimes it’s cool just to say you’re beautiful sis! You don’t know what people do and what kind of network someone may be a part of,”  Empress Cece says.

Her  workshops have been featured globally, attracting dancers and dance fanatics from all backgrounds and ethnicities. With decades of experience the dance teacher delves even deeper into the music industry and has advice for women in male dominated industries.

Q & A

1. Do you find dancehall culture patriarchal? 

“Yes, and I think most industries are male dominated. Everything is based on male thought. As women you have to be strong and know how to deal with men.”

2. What’s your advice to young women and dancers trying to get ahead in the music industry?

“Don’t feed into foolishness. Women need to use our voices when something sexist goes on. For instance working with an artist who wants to flirt with you —say no.”

“I think women feel they need to flirt with an artist to get ahead and some people do and get ahead by having sex. But women can have boundaries.You don’t have to suck up to every man, you can use your voice and  your talent and step out how you want to.”

“As a dancer, a lot of people try to flirt with women, but you set your boundaries. My advice is to not let yourself be used. This makes it hard for women who are strong, because if others are doing this, how is a dancer really going to climb the ranks and be paid what they deserve?”

“You don’t have to take sexism, there are dancehall artists who respect women. I also think that some female artists talk down to dancers, but we all need each other when it comes to music. Artists need dancers.”

[Additional Read: Brooklyn Artist Ayana Sheree Talks Music, Boss Babe Culture and Hustles Like Hell]

3. In terms of entrepreneurs and creatives, do you think the Caribbean community conducts business efficiently?

“The Caribbean community should have written agreements and contracts. Art is a business and it would allow more artists to respect dancers. There should be more respect for dancers. There’s sexism in the industry. Male dancers get ahead but female dancers can be subject to sexual advances, so there are things women specifically go through.” 

4.  How do you feel about various body types and body shaming in the Caribbean community?

“There is bias in our culture, for instance saying girls are too skinny. I haven’t been called for a lot of things. I’m short, I’m 5’1.” 

“When it comes to these videos, it’s sometimes the same type of girls. There should be diversity, they don’t have to be light-skinned or have straight hair. Some artists use girls who are not part of the culture but may not use someone like me who has locks.”

“Artists may not use, for instance, a Guyanese girl, but instead use a Japanese girl. It’s the standard of light skin and straight hair. Being looked over for being Afrocentric looking or black is not okay. Music labels have a look that’s not realistic to our culture. Someone has to say ‘that’s not what sells all the time.’”