“Tears are words only God understands…” - Jah Vinci, “Goodbye”
The haunting words of this song echo through the hearts of the Dancehall community. The grief is deep. The shock, still fresh.
The Dancehall world is devastated from the tragic loss of Brittania Francis, better known as DHQ Chicken – 2022’s International Dancehall Queen, 2023‘s Red Bull Dance Your Style Finalist and a rising cultural icon. A wave of sorrow swept across the scene as news of her passing in Manchester on May 8, 2025, began to settle in. Wherever you looked on social media, her face appeared – full of life and light – accompanied by tributes from friends, fans and colleagues, all struggling to process the loss.
Latonya Style, founder of Dance Jamaica and renowned Dancehall ambassador, commented under a news post: “Young, talented, ambitious dancer – GONE TOO SOON. She was such a sweetheart and respectful to her dance colleagues. Always seeking advice, humble attitude, no drama or mix-up – just straight dancing to provide for her daughter. This breaks my heart.”
Mama Blazzaz spoke for many: “Nooooo Chicken… the entire dancehall family a cry girl 😢😢😢 RIP baby girl, Jah Jah.”
A Mother, A Motivator, A Light
Today, on Mother’s Day, we want to especially honor the woman behind the stunts, the dance moves and acrobatics. Beyond the stage, Chicken was so much more than a dancer – she was a mother, a mentor and a motivator.
Everyone who knew her spoke of her love and devotion to her daughter. She was always working, always hustling, always doing her best to give her child a better life. She moved with humility, constantly seeking advice from fellow dancers and pushing herself to grow. She lifted others up – whether yaad or abroad – and made people laugh and believe in their own potential.
That was the Chicken we knew. The one we loved.
We at Dancehall Ketch Up remembered not only the crown she wore, but the heart and humility she carried.
The Humble Queen We Knew
We were fortunate to feature DHQ Chicken in our online advent calendar back in December 2022, just months after she won her crown at the International Dancehall Queen Contest. At only 24, she sat down with us – gracious, soft-spoken and truly authentic.
“Mi did likkle and a next student seh, ‘How yuh likkle suh?’ and call mi Chicken,” she laughed. The name stuck, and she owned it. Dance, for her, was healing. “Whenever I dance I just feel relieved,” she said.
Though she didn’t like crowds, dancing brought out a whole different version of her and after high school and leaned into her passion. A friend constantly posted her videos on WhatsApp – one of which caught the eye of DHQ Danger, who urged her to enter the International DHQ competition. “I was hesitant”, she admitted. Funds were tight and traveling from St. Elizabeth to Montego Bay felt like a stretch. But encouragement from Tall Up gave her the push she needed. She was confident in her skills, but stepping into the DHQ spotlight was never something she envisioned, she told us honestly.
And still, she made her mark. Despite stumbling in the second round, she was brought back as a wildcard and danced her way into the top five. By the final round, all nerves were gone – she danced with everything she had. “I never expected to win,” she said with that signature humble smile, “but I did my best.”
And that’s what made her so unforgettable – not just the moves, not just the titles, but the quiet power behind it all.
Even in 2025, she was still rising. She entered the Queen of the Mecca competition in Kingston; organized by Dancehall Mecca, Queens on Top and Dancehall Ketch Up – bringing the same fire, grace, and determination we all admired. She didn’t win this one, but her performance left a mark and remained in the memories of everyone who witnessed it.
Her Legacy Lives On
Today, we remember DHQ Chicken not just for her titles and talent, but for her courage, kindness and spirit. She reminded us that greatness often rises from unexpected places and that it wears a quiet face.
Dance wasn’t about fame for her. It was her therapy, her purpose and her way of building a future for her daughter.
Our hearts go out to her family, her daughter and the entire Dancehall community. Rest in power, Chicken. Your legacy lives on – in every move, every memory and every heartbeat of the streets you helped build.
