Many artistes have found that maintaining their presence on the local entertainment scene is not only about having their songs in heavy rotation, but it's also about being visible in the dancehall.

While fans may enjoy hearing their favourite artistes, sometimes seeing them not only performing at events but in the dancehall itself, is just as important.

Artistes such as Bounty Killer, for instance, may not have song after song being played on radio and in dances, but he manages to maintain a presence, as he frequents the party scene.

With more than one dance each night of the week, dances aren't only for the enjoyment of patrons but are essential to strengthening and popularising the artiste and his or her music.

Artistes often get closer to fans by partying alongside them. THE STAR has often spotted artistes like Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Mavado, Vybz Kartel, Voicemail, D'Angel, Macka Diamond, Harry Todler, Konshens and countless others doing the nightly rounds at street dances.

Dancehall star Elephant Man's bright red and yellow-dyed hair cannot be missed by patrons at weekly dances such as Hot Mondays, Weddy Weddy, Bembe, Boasy Tuesdays and Passion Sundays which he frequents. According to Elephant Man he is one of the few dancehall artistes that is not afraid to mix with the hard-core dancehall fans.

"At the street dances is where you get the real hard-core garrison fans, you're seen in their eyes, that's where the dancehall is. Is like you're celebrating the music, you're showing your patriotism to the music. When the fans see you mixing with them, they say this is one down to earth dancehall artiste," Elephant Man explained.

The DASECA crew are also regulars on the streets, visiting two to three dances each night. According to Serani, they are everywhere music is. At the beginning of the week the trio can be seen at Uptown Mondays, Hot Mondays, Early Mondays, Girls Gone Wild Tuesdays, Blitz Tuesdays and Asylum on Tuesdays. By Wednesday it's Weddy Weddy and the Quad, Thursdays they frequent Bembe, then it's Dutty and Feelings Fridays. On the weekends it's partying as well with Sex and the City Saturdays and other parties.

While it may seem like purely fun, being a regular on the party scene helps keep the production group and their artistes current in the minds of patrons and selectors alike.

"The street like to be one with you, the people and audience in the streets dem waah feel like wi a one of dem. You have to connect with the people yuh can't lock up inna studio all di time, promotion is important," Serani told THE STAR.