Suspense explores softer side on ‘Broken Pieces’

In an emotionally charged single titled ' Broken Pieces', 2017 Magnum Queen Suspense chronicles a graphic reflection of a heartbreak which "ripped her to pieces", but simultaneously helped her to "find her new, soft sound".

In an interview with THE STAR Suspense shared that Broken Pieces was conceptualised through raw emotions, wounds, and from a place of hurt.

"I was in a 'situationship' and that's what got my heart broken. I started dating this person and if him nuh heartless, him affi siddung and plan out dis because di hurt was unbearable; and me settling for the hurt was very disrespectful to myself. I was so disappointed in myself. I was dished gold and I left gold, and I was dished dirt," Suspense said. "So yes, Broken Pieces is a true story. Most females go through a lot and this song resonates with a lot a people; it's a cry for help, while telling people what happened while on my journey. It's a story to tell and I think it's time I tell my story." Suspense shared that the single was written years ago, but was released three weeks ago. She feels this was the "perfect time". She said it has been making a great impact, conveying a "strong, positive" message, while helping several female fans to "cope with their embedded traumas".

"When I go in the streets, they used to say, 'It's the girl from Magnum,' nobody nuh seh dat again. People just a tell mi 'bout Broken Pieces and what it a duh fi dem right through. [The song] is doing good for itself and it's bringing me back on the map where I want to be, because I don't want to come out as di ruffian. Mi want dem to really hear my voice and di pain and di journey," Suspense shared.

The single has already amassed nearly 45,000 views, more than 2,000 'likes' and approximately 500 comments. The single, which gave the artiste an international/R&B sound, saw several supporters encouraging her to explore the genre and expand her brand beyond local shores, advice she is willing to take on.

"This song really opens the door, and mi have other songs like this ready. It's only up from here; and after this song, I want to venture into reggae, R&B, every [genre]. Sometimes when mi come out rough, some people naah guh waah hear mi. But now we have a different set a ears listening, and all I wanted was for the world to hear my voice and I will accomplish everything I need," she said. A collaborative remix with Nhance is also set to be released.

Suspense noted that after winning the coveted Magnum title, a life of glitz and glamour went "downhill" shortly after.

"I started to do my tours and my little shows, and then things went downhill for me - personal burdens - and then I made a decision to go into Christianity. I've been back for a while and steadily focusing on my career and myself; it's been a rocky road, but I'm standing firm," she calmly stated.

"The industry is a dog-eat-dog world and nobody wants it like you want it, because I have to do it for me to be where I want to be. Producers have about 70 songs sitting on for me right now, because some are waiting until you get a break or they just don't believe in you, or they just want to have sex with you, or own yuh to help yuh. And when you're not the 'hot bread' at the time, people don't want to pay you and I won't settle for less," she said. "I've passed those burdens; and the ones to come, I'm ready for them, so I'm just standing firm."

She credits the Magnum competition for contributing to her musical growth and ability to produce more musical content "in split seconds".

"I can write 10 songs in 20 minutes [and] record six songs in one hour. Performances are getting better and I've got more comfortable, and I'm finding my voice and finding myself...I'm not giving up," she said.

With Nuh Bizniz being one of her "biggest stage show songs", coming out of the dancehall competition, Suspense expressed gratitude for the opportunity she got, as she noted that that was the song which cemented her career and put her in the spotlight.

"When mi deh pon stage, as mi seh ' Yuh si when mi a tek gyal man,' di whole crowd bawl out, ' Mi bad it up'. Suh dem know it, and dat song goes viral daily on someone else's page. I still don't think it gets all that it deserves, but it's one of my most popular and biggest song and I love it. But I don't think it's my best song, because the new me is what I want to give to the world; so my best is yet to come," she expressed.