WHEN dancehall artiste D’Angel received word that she would be honoured with the key to the City of Tamarac, Florida, the tears came before she could fully comprehend the magnitude of the moment.

And, as if that were not enough to process, she arrived in Florida to learn that she would also receive the key to Broward County. The double honour overwhelmed her. “I couldn’t hold back my tears of joy. I was like, ‘God, this is all you,’ ” she recalled.

For the woman who describes her journey in music as one of fighting, overcoming, and enduring more lows than highs, the recognition was more than a ceremonial milestone. It was an unexpected acknowledgement of the work she has put into her career and the resilience she has had to summon along the way.

The artiste, whose given name is Michelle Downer, said she had not realised the extent to which her efforts were being noticed, but was grateful for the recognition. “I never knew anyone was paying attention to what I’ve been doing because it has been a rough journey of fight and overcoming.

Artiste D’Angel with her son Marco Dean at the key to the city honour in Florida.

But look at me now, just a girl from Spanish Town who had big dreams,” she said. “I’m very grateful and thankful to be honoured outside my country in such high standard. Getting the key to the City of Tamarac and Broward County is mind-blowing.

I’m still processing it.” For D’Angel, the honour represents more than personal achievement, it speaks also to the weight she believes she has carried on behalf of Jamaicans through her music and charitable work.

That sense of responsibility is central to how she views the recognition. It also reinforces the importance of how she conducts herself and represents her country on the international stage.

“I definitely will continue to represent and live up to my honour through my music and deportment, because I’m not only representing my country, I’m now representing a city and a state I was not born in,” she said.

“I have to do my best…” D’Angel continued: “I had a lot of highs and lows moments, more lows than highs, but it never stopped me from pursuing my dreams…

I know I was born for greatness, and no naysayer could ever abort my destiny.

With every moment I had to overcome, I became stronger, more focused, and resilient.” Her ability to keep moving forward, she explained, has been shaped by the people and beliefs that have anchored her through difficult periods.

Among her strongest influences are her mother and her son, whom she identifies as the driving forces behind her life. Their influence helped her to keep going, even when the odds seemed stacked against her.

“I never felt like quitting. Yuh mad?” she said, laughing off the suggestion. “One thing my mom always tell me, never let anyone rejoice over me, so that alone kept me going.

Also, my son, who’s the driving force of my life.” Music itself has also served as a source of encouragement. Knowing that her work has strengthened others has reinforced her belief that she has a purpose to fulfil.

“My music also gave me strength, because I see where it strengthens others as well, so I know I’m purpose and I belong here,” she said. “Is only one Angel, so I had to carry my cross and let God do the rest.” That faith has become increasingly important to her approach to life and career.

D’Angel said that, while she has always worked hard to advance her ambitions, she has recently become more intentional about praying, relinquishing control over outcomes, and placing greater trust in God.

“I’m always working overtime, but since lately I start praying harder and leave everything in God’s hand, and the proof is in the results,” she said.

“Sometimes you have to let go and let God.” The latest honour, she believes, is not the end of the journey, as her work is not finished, “Once you believe in yourself and be authentic, everything else will be added and the world will respond,” she said.

D’Angel