2019 in Review
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2019 in Review
A reflection of one of the coolest years in my life.
It’s not how you start its how you finish… and I entered 2019 emotionally depleted.
I had a choice though. I could either wallow in my feelings or SLAY THESE GOALS. Then boom, Queen Koffee releases one of the biggest reggae songs in history featuring lyrics that permeated my soul. At the start of each year I select one word to help guide my intentions for the next 364 days. For 2019 my theme word was FORCE. It’s like Koffee knew my heart! She starts the song by singing: "Toast, yeah (mmh yeah), say we a come in wid a force, yeah, blessings we a reap pon we course inna hand full”…I still have “Toast” on heavy rotation.
2019 was a great year for soca and dancehall too. Ding Dong released a slew of new dances. Elephant Man came back to the music scene. Oshane from the overload skankaz crew created the “celebration” dance that can be seen worldwide. I even taught the hosts of Breakfast Television how to do it on live TV. See here: https://youtu.be/SipdgozEda0?t=176
Meanwhile a Grenadian (Mr.Killa) won the Trinidad soca monarch, Bunji, Machel, & Skinny united the Caribbean with “Famalay”, and Kes the band had yawdies chippin’ for a second year in a row with “Savannah Grass”. Speaking of which, 2019 gave me the space to do more creative work. Check out this beautiful music video I choreographed and directed https://youtu.be/ohj_Vg8mw0I . Shout out to Kes for sharing it to his instastories.
Guys! THE RAPTORS ARE THE 2019 NBA FLIPPING CHAMPIONS. This win was one of the best feelings ever. The fight, tenacity, and passion from the team was unmatched. AND THE FANS! Wow. The way everyone came together - filling the streets in their Raptors gear. Jurassic Park! The Celebration Parade! Gees. We are truly one of a kind. Big up @general_genius416 for having the whole city doing the #RaptorFoot. I’m so proud Toronto got to show the world how dope we were even with all the hate coming in from the outside. Rapchas to di world!!!! RIP Louie Rankin.
…and RIP Nipsey Hussle your legacy will live on. As an artist myself, I’m so inspired by the tremendous work you’ve done in so little time and how you’ve transformed your artistry into a vehicle for change.
Life really is precious. In 2019, I also watched two people dear to me fight for their lives. They both fought hard and are healing now but what a journey that has been. Giving God thanks for keeping them and reminding us to live purposeful, lead with love, and take care of our body, mind, and spirit as best as we can.
Some of my personal favourite moments in 2019:
The Pink Party
This feels like a century ago. On Feb. 3rd at a small gathering with friends and family I hosted to the Pink Party. It was to celebrate the launch of simplyshakera.com. Thank you to our host @trayarts for welcoming us to your art studio and leading a carnival filled paint night. This is was such an emotional day for me. I was proud, relieved, excited, and anxious, all at the same time.
Booking 3 National TV Commercials:
Guys this was huge accomplishment for me because I stopped doing the audition life years ago. God had a different plan for 2019. Grateful to be featured in commercials for Autotrader, Uber Eats/Toronto Raptors, and Spectrum Business
Feature on Real Housewives of Atlanta
YA’LL!!! What a way to close off a decade and highlight 10+ years of work!! The #RHOA were in Toronto for carnival this summer and Bravo TV reached out to me to share some tips with the ladies. Over 1.985 million people tuned in on December 29th, 2019 as I spiced up their TVs. This was the highest rating for the season thus far. I am big fan of the show, and a proud torontonian and carnivalian. It still hasn’t sunk in. Before the season is up I’ll do a recap on how it all went down.
Carnival Spice
Seven years I had an idea to start a company that brought all my passions (dance, fitness, culture, community) together. Carnival Spice was born and has grown into such a beautiful platform that showcases Caribbean carnival arts and aspiring performers. My 2019 team though was so lit. It’s been a pleasure supporting their growth as artists and watching them navigate life while pursuing their passion in dance. We had a blast in 2019. From concept videos, to booking national interviews, and securing corporate clients like PWC, Soho House, and the Aga Khan Museum… we even took home the ByBlacks People’s Choice Award for Best Dance group.
My Natural Journey
In 2017 I noticed a decline in my health, in 2018 I learned why so in 2019 I had to do something about it. A shift in my lifestyle was needed. I made small changes, substituted products, implemented supplements and cut out inflamers! Specifically dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and the biggest one - relaxer which resulted in on the most dramatic hairstyles I’ve ever done in my life. I cut my hair! I can admit that the cut wasn’t planned. I knew I’d eventually have to do it but didn’t expect it to be so soon. I honestly ran out of hairstyles by the end of the year. The look I have had since I was about 12yo was long straight hair. With the amount of styles I had in 2019, I could have easily done the DMX challenge but by Dec. 29th my scalp and edges were TIRED! lol. I will say though, the cut was quite liberating. I look forward to these curls growing and glowing.
Fam, I am looking for a longerwear nail color alternative to shellac nail polish; cause chileee, I cringe every time I put my hand under that UV light - suggestions? To my naturalistas, any tips for me?
