The Jamaican 'cross-over' queen, or rather 'King', arrived in the island last week. And allwoman has the exclusive on what she's been up to since her last major performance here at Sumfest, some eight years ago.

KING... Doesn't want a shy guy anymore; he's taken too long to show up. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Diana King, internationally acclaimed reggae and pop artiste has, for years, been a symbol of sexuality and musical prowess, performed at the Studio 98 Jamz Live, held last Saturday at the newly renovated Countryside Club.

Though she has not worked a local stage in years and many might think her career was dormant, King told allwoman that she has been quite busy. Over the years, King has enjoyed a handful of hits including Say A Little Prayer (which was included on the soundtrack of the movie First Wives Club) and Lies.

Her biggest hit to date is Shy Guy, which topped the charts in more than 10 countries around the world including Japan. Diana King has sold more than two million albums in Japan alone, making it her biggest market to date.

"I've been doing the same thing I've always done. I've been touring Japan for about seven years now and every year my shows are sold out," King said. "They love me like cook food, or sushi down there," said a candid King.

allwoman asked if the single had, in any way, reflected her taste in men, and apparently her taste has changed since then. "No.I don't want a shy guy anymore. Mi change mi mind, him take too long fi come.mi want a more aggressive one," she said as she erupted with laughter.
But what does she really want in a man?

"Same thing I want out of a friend, brother or sister. He must be strong, not just physically but emotionally as well, and he must be honest, ambitious. He must want something more for his life."

With composure regained the singer admitted that she hadn't realised that her first single would do so well and that the song's popularity did become a little irritating.

"It was just a fun song and to tell the truth, I really didn't know it would have done so well," said King. "It's kind of frustrating though, because here I am with all these other songs and all people still want to hear is Shy Guy. A lot of people don't know that I have three or four CDs," she further explained.

Her first two albums, Tougher than Love (1995) and Think like a Girl (1997) were released by Sony Music, while Respect was released in 2002 under Madonna's Maverick Records. King also has another album, Diana King Live that was only released in Japan.

King, who has been signed to several major music labels, told allwoman what it is like, now that she is not working with any label. "There isn't that pressure to produce material, so I have a chance now, to be more creative and make music that I am comfortable with. I don't want to sing just to make money," she explained.

King, who has been singing for over 15 years, had some advice for up-and comers, whom she called the fresh, young and hungry: "Singing is an emotional career, it's a business too, but it's mostly emotions. Most of it comes from the heart, it's not something you can just learn. The more you know going into [the music industry] the better it is."
Adding that she learnt this lesson the hard way, King said that she now approaches matters of the industry with the latter in mind.

"I can't judge anybody because I know how it is. And it's hard. I'm not going to say stay away from this, or live upright and stuff. Just know yourself and know what's important to you." King also added that young artistes need to "know what you're in [the music industry] for, if it is to be serious or just be half naked, wine-up yourself and sing foolishness."

King believes this is important because if an artiste doesn't know what they are about then they are likely to lose out on the business side.
Diana also told allwoman that she is currently working on a number of things, including a new special album project.

"I've always included a cover (song) on my albums and I hope to produce an album that features only covers. The other is a reggae/dancehall project and the third is an album of dance music," said King. She explained that she was looking at these projects because her fan base is broad, with varied tastes in music. Her fans, she added, are vital to her success.

Fans aside, the reggae darling's second most important musical mission is to elevate her artistry by working with several industry veterans and a few present hotshots. She cited Toots, Marcia Griffiths, Gentleman and Sean Paul as some of the people she hopes to collaborate with.
Asked what was in her CD player right now, King pointed to the stereo set, which was playing Bob Marley. "I listen to old music from the 1970s, '80s and some of the '90s."

It is no wonder then, that she lists Third World, the I-Threes, Chakka Khan and Aretha Franklin (both of whom she described as the 'big-voices') as some of her influences. "I don't listen to new music," said King, "at least not on purpose.

Some of the beats dem 'wicked', and some of the artistes are alright, but the new people are not as impressive as the artistes before. That's what I want to be like, to be remembered," she added. "I might not be another Bob Marley but I want to be something positive in people's minds."

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