TeeJay Shares His Sacrifice To Be A Winner In Dancehall

While many fans may envisage the life of dancehall artistes to be thrilling, rewarding and filled with possibilities as they get paid to perform at music venues across the region and world, the reality may be far from idyllic.  Jamaican dancehall singjay Teejay gave his Instagram fans a glimpse at the behind the scenes life of a dancehall artiste and it reveals that to be a successful professional musician, sacrifices have to be made.

In an Instagram story early this morning, Teejay mused that while many were having Christmas dinner with their family he was making a sacrifice waiting at a lonely airport for a flight out of Guyana after a performance on Christmas Day. The Up Top Boss’ video showed him laid up at the Cheddi Jagan International Aiport after performing at the 18th Annual Vergenoegen Village Day celebration.

“When them a have Christmas dinner man out ya a be di real ruff winna my sacrifice”, he wrote in the story to his 514,000 Instagram followers.

It looks like they’re always having fun, but Dancehall artistes like Teejay have to navigate many potential pitfalls with their chosen career. Artistes may spend a lot of time away from home inside a plane or bus for extended periods of time, away from family and friends. They may go without access to balanced meals and exercise.

It’s easy to understand how fame and a lifestyle built around doing live shows and creating music could lead to harmful alcohol and drug abuse. Studies have also shown that many professional music artistes suffer from anxiety and depression in relation to their creating of music.

Fans almost never see how the artists face these physical and mental issues but they do exist and the Uptop Boss singer should be applauded for the dedication to his craft.

Teejay, whose real name is Timoy Jones, has had a great run over the last two years with a record deal with Romeich Entertaiment; hit releases like UpTop Boss, Up Top, Owna Lane and Braff featuring Ding Dong and many sold out live shows across the Caribbean.