By Eugene Pitter,
Staff Reporter
THERE is a noticeable absence of female artistes on the dancehall scene these days.
Apart from CeCile and Lady Saw, there is virtually no other female artiste presently making an impact in the dancehall.
"Ten years or so ago, there was Nadine Sutherland, Lady Mackerel, Sister Nancy, and others," said Jack Scorpio, record producer. Now, we have Lady Saw and CeCile dominating the dancehall stage."
Tanya Stephens, who for a time was running the dancehall red with Yu Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet is said to be overseas while Lady G, who was a force to reckon with during the 1980s, is spending more time in her role as mother.
Some industry experts feel the fault lies with record producers who are not interested in recording female artistes as they tend not to last too long. And, more importantly, they are subjected to more abuse, according to Brenda Hamilton, managing director of XL Agency, an outfit that manages artistes.
"There are fewer women in dancehall music than before," Hamilton confirms. "Some time ago there was talk that young women who break into dancehall were subjected to a number of things, like hanging out at studios late hours, and if a producer is doing something for them, the producer might want to sleep with them. Dancehall artiste life is really rough."
Scorpio, however, begs to defer.
"I have no problem recording a female artiste, the only thing that scares me is that a number of them get pregnant or married and this slows their careers. If they structure themselves and adhere to family planning this would not be the case," he said.
CeCile is one female artiste who would love to see more women in the business. "There are a lot of dancehall fans who are tired of this whole heap a bag a man. These fans would also like to have females representing them by singing songs which are supportive of us and promoting women."
CeCile said she has no problem getting producers to record her. "A lot of producers want to voice me because they probably like what I am saying."
There is also the feeling of some producers that the rhythms of dancehall music might be too difficult for some female artistes to manage. They believe that there is a need for slower rhythms which encourages more melody rather than the harshness which is the trend of dancehall music these days.
