A Gyal Time: Women Continue to Push Boundaries in Dancehall

The women in dancehall have always been far ahead of their time. This enlightenment of being liberal and radical that feminists have brought to the table has always been in existence in the dancehall culture. The culture seems very male-centered with men being the most dominant ones from DJs, producers, and selectors, to sound system owners and record label owners. Even with that, the voice of the females within dancehall couldn’t go unnoticed.

Lyrical Content

In the golden era of dancehall – the 90s to the early 2000s, it was women like Sister Nancy, Patra, Lady Saw, Lady G, Tanya Stephens and Ce’Cile that took center stage. They set the pathway for women’s lyrics to stand upright beside the male DJs and hold the same level of respect.

When Lady Saw came out and said “If Him Lef” it’s not her fault and surely “Man Is The Least” of her problems as she stood up on stage and performed at Sting 12 years ago and set the precedence that it was “Pussy Power”. Not to mention when Ce’ Cile said “any bwoy weh nah go dung yuh know dat get bun” in her ‘Give it To Me’ single that was released in 2008. It made society know that women had a say about sexual desires and double standards should be a thing of the past. These trends set the pathway for our modern female artists to take over the genre.

Dancehall is still a continuing outlet for the modern day woman. She is able to express herself anyhow she chooses and breakdown barriers. It’s also not a perfect journey as men still bash the lyrical content of women in dancehall.

Nevertheless, these women are striving in the genre:

Shenseea

Shenseea holds nothing back. She waits for no man to tell her what her body needs and desires. She makes it very clear in her music. The fact that she is claiming something that would be seen as taboo in Jamaica such as BDSM, makes it easier for other women to come forward and let men know what fetishes they prefer to have in the bedroom. She is truly unleashing sexual freedom.

Stefflon Don

Stefflon Don’s dancehall music comes right out of the United Kingdom. The UK dancehall artist brings back the genre’s authentic sound. Her lyrics portray that women are the ones with the upper hand of power in sexual relationships. This will liberate women to know that they are the ones in charge.

Spice

Spice has always been around, but she is now at the height of her career with her music becoming more dynamic to be placed on the international scene. This song specifically, ‘Romantic Mood’ gives credit to all the female dancehall artists who has paved the way for her to “act rude” and a man cant do nothing about it. This is straight female empowerment.

Ishawna

From 2017, when Ishawna said “Equal Rights”, everyone was reminded that women are a force in dancehall. She continues what Ce’Cile started, stating needed sexual experiences with no holdbacks. #IshawnaFestiveTuesdays brings the heat at the strip club Taboo every week. Ms. Legendary has no fear. She defeats the doubles standards every day and encourages other women to do the same.

Jada Kingdom

This twenty-year-old has no issues telling you exactly what is on her mind. This is what women have been fighting for over the years and dancehall allows it to be possible. Jada Kingdom has come out with lyrics that say it’s okay for women to state that they have sexual needs just as a man can.

Neeqah

The melanin queen says it straight all the time. Making her debut in the dancehall industry in 2015, she has been extremely liberal with songs like ‘Mr. Lowkey’. She has no issue with bringing across ideas about relationships that society deems as problematic and immoral. She lets women know that she thinks a ‘side piece’ is sometimes needed.