CeCileTyrone Reid, staff reporter
There are several
factors that prevent female artistes from being as competitive in the music business as their male counterparts some of which are described as lewd, disgusting and downright efforts at exploitation. The Sunday Gleaner was told that some women are sceptical about working with certain producers because of what the job description entail, as well the possibility of a little extra on the side.
But whatever the reason, a lack of dominance or even a strong presence by female artistes in the local music business is very much evident. This is especially so in the male-dominated field of dancehall, where there are not a lot of female success stories.
Among the few who have left their mark on the industry are Mumma Nancy (who is regarded by many as the pioneer of the female deejays), Lady Mackerel, Lady Junie, Sister Carol, Queen Paula, Diana King, Patra, Shelly Thunder and Lady Saw.
However, not all have proved that they have the stamina to compete consistently, be it by choice or circumstance.
One of the few female success stories recorded in the history of our music is engulfed in the acquired persona of Marion Hall, known as 'Lady Saw'. She has maintained a high level of consistency and controversially so. She has managed to stay abreast of the rough tides in the music industry since 1989.
Saw, who originally hails from Galina district in St. Mary, told The Sunday Gleaner that the key to her success lies in her innate ability.
"I think it is really the raw talent and the fact that I am multi-talented. I can be Lady Saw and I can be Marion. I was born with this. I am being myself and not trying to be nobody else," stressed Saw.
But if female artiste longevity and the lack thereof is indeed a problem, there must be sources from which the problem stems. According to Lady Saw, there are several reasons, but the one that stands out in her mind is the lack of unity and togetherness. "What I don't like is when a female come into the business and try to class up other females who are trying to make their mark in the business. I hate it.... females bashing each other, We need unity and togetherness," emphasised Saw.
This point was bolstered by 15-year veteran, Janice 'Lady G' Fyffe. "I think they really need unity, they need to come together. There is no unity. Look at Missy Elliot in America, look how much female artiste she bus', but some of them just feel like dah one yah ago outshine the other," Lady G said.
Ms. Fyffe, who attributes her periodic disappearances from frontline music duties to family commitments, which involve child-rearing, also points to a lack of respect for female artistes and their contribution to the music from key players in the industry as a possible source.
"I hear Ron Muchette saying that no female nuh qualify to get female of the year, so what happen to all of the songs that Cecile put out? Some of dem disc jockeys and producers help contribute to the problem, because some producers don't voice female artistes and if they do dem park the song and some disc jockeys don't play female artistes, a just bare man," emphasised Ms. Fyffe.
This element was supported by legendary singer from the I-Three, Marcia Griffiths. Ms. Griffiths is of the view that female presence in the music business is being stifled by very identifiable sources.
"I don't think that there is a shortage of females in the music industry. As a matter of fact, the market is flooded with female singers and deejays, but they still aren't being billed for stage shows by the show promoters," emphasised Ms. Griffiths.
In addition, Lady G told The Sunday Gleaner that emotional and psychological strength and the lack thereof also add to the long list of causes for the short lifespan of women's music careers.
"Some of the females don't have the strength to come back or try to pursue their music career after having a child. Sometimes they get burdened and music is a full-time job, so they get discouraged and caan bother, cause things that they could do before they got pregnant they can't do it again, like go to the studio and spend a lot of time," emphasised the mother of three.
Relatively new kid on the block, Cecile Charlton, popularly known as 'Cecile', who burst onto the Dancehall scene in 2000 with the number one song Changez, agreed with the veteran Lady G.
"It's kind of hard for me to speak on the behalf of every female, but there are various reasons why there is a lack of female presence in the business. Either they can't tek the crap that they get for being involved in this so-called music industry, or the fact that they have to be apart from their family and friends for long periods of time and sometimes people choose dem family or dem man over their career, which is a stupid choice at times,' said Ms. Charlton.
Mrs Brenda Sutherland, managing director of XL Agency and manager of Baby Cham, shared similar sentiments with the fiery Cecile. "Maybe after a while they think that they have had enough and that it is time to take a different course. Settle down, get married and have some kids you know, just be a wife and a mother," pointed out Mrs Sutherland.
The outspoken Ms. Charlton also added that the criteria which now prevails in the 'so-called' music industry to get a 'forward' was a major factor as well, saying that females cannot behave in the same manner as their male counterparts when they are on-stage. She told The Sunday Gleaner that the music industry needs to be restructured, as the current climate is somewhat anti-female and it is very much affecting her. "We need to have an industry, because right now you have to curse a bad word to get a forward. That's what the people have been given and that's what they want!" exclaimed CeCile.
Mrs. Sutherland continued by adding: "I don't think that you can point out any one thing as the sole reason for this problem, but I think that it is a combination of things. A woman has to do two times the amount of work as a man to get the recognition she deserves and it has always been the norm."
Former child prodigy Nadine Sutherland attributed the problem to the climate of society. "It really is a problem. This is a sexist society and the music industry is just a reflection of it and that is not fair. There should be healthy competition in every category," pointed out Nadine.
Nadine Sutherland is also put out by what she sees as the unfair treatment of female artistes. She exclaimed: "I have seen it over and over! I mean, I have never seen a female being nominated for artiste of the year, mi neva see dat yet. Is like dem want to keep you at a certain level an don't want you to go over that."
To reiterate her point, she made mention of the pressure that is placed on Lady Saw for her sexually explicit lyrics. "I find it really ridiculous that she gets so much flack. I cannot understand it. I hear a lot of deejays that are slacker than her and they don't receive half or quarter of the flack she receives," she said.
Egotistic males were also listed as part of the problem. "I think that most ladies feel intimidated by the number of males that are in control who only look out for their male friends and it is sad, especially for a society that is so homophobic that they don't let through the amount of women as they do men," said Queen Ifrica.
Assistance
Lady Saw also told The Sunday Gleaner that the situation can be improved, but firstly, assistance from persons within the industry was of paramount importance. "We need good producers who will give us a chance, as well as we need to get out there more and fight for what we want," exclaimed Saw.
However, an alternate route to solving the problem of female artiste scarcity was given by Cecile.
She pointed out that she used to be of the same mindset as Saw with view that the producers were not 'voicing' enough of the female acts, but later discovered that the problem is not as bad as she thought.
"Some (women) don't know how to dress, how to talk and how to carry themselves ... intelligence is always an important factor. Also, if you are a female artiste coming up, don't try to 'player hate' another artiste who is paving the way for you," she said.
Marcia Griffiths told The Sunday Gleaner that the solution to the problem was quite simple and an organisation should be formed in order to get the point across to the relevant sources.
"It's not every promoter going to include a female on their show that doesn't have a track record to pull a crowd, but we still need to form a body to ensure that some females are given a chance. I think it would be beneficial to the promoters as well, because it would be a step away from repetitious thing something fresh other than the norm," Ms. Griffiths said.
She continued by lauding the promoters of Rebel Salute 2002, as they showcased about seven female artistes which, according to her, is a novelty in these times. "We need more like that," stressed Ms. Griffiths.
Marcia's point about the formation of an official body to push the cause of equal rights for women in the music business was recapitulated by singer Queen Ifrica. "The solution can be that the women who really and truly love the music and want to go somewhere with it must come together and form a female organisation that will cater to our needs and help us to keep focused and not bow to certain things in order to make it," she said.
Nadine is of the opinion that some soul-searching might bring forth a resolution. "It would take more females becoming more proactive, in the sense that we realise that nobody is in charge of our destiny but us, as well as I would like to see the media personnel give a fair share of exposure to the females," stated Nadine.
But she ended on a down note.
"I don't think that there ever will be a solution to the problem. No matter how good a female will come, the fight will always be there. It has always been a male-dominated arena and I don't see it changing," vented Ms. Sutherland.
