After working in the dancehall industry as a fashion designer and artiste for over 20 years, Marcia Prince decided she had her fill of secular entertainment in 2011.

Today, she is an evangelist who does charity work in the United Kingdom, her home since 1989. In April, Prince returned to her roots in East Kingston and reached out to children in the community of McIntyre Villa, commonly known as Dunkirk, and Portland.

“Jamaica is the land of my birth and I’m rooted there. It’s where I call home and, as the saying goes, ‘charity begins at home’, so it’s a joy to be able to give something back,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Prince donated school items and held a treat for children during her visits to Dunkirk and Portland. She also performed at the Hallelujah concert in Central Village, St Catherine, alongside Kevin Downswell.

Though she was raised in the Pentecostal church, Prince was drawn to the flamboyance of dancehall as a teenager. By her 18th birthday, she got involved in fashion as a model and designer, helping to create costumes for artistes including Peter Metro and Beenie Man.

Prince’s career as an artiste started after she moved to London 28 years ago. At the end of her secular career, she had released two albums, Cute Face and Self Esteem.

Last year saw the release of Prince’s third album, aptly titled Born Again.

The dancehall lifestyle, she stressed, is a thing of the past.

“Being an evangelist now I don’t really look back at my past dancehall career…it’s like Lot’s wife looking back and turning into a pillar of salt. If it’s not something that’s doing the work of God or for His kingdom, then I don’t feel like I should reminisce on it.”

Marcia Prince is scheduled to perform in Trinidad and Tobago in September along with Apostle Dexter James.

— Howard Campbell