With raving reviews for her recently released album Gangsta Blues, Tanya Stephens stands as testimony to the fact that talent will tear down the stubborn walls of stereotypes.
In Jamaica's dancehalls, women have long declared their uphill battle to get into the business, make their names, and maintain a dominant presence. Not this woman.Her 14 years in the business alone proves it. She has been there, 'riding' the big rhythms, challenging the men, the women, the system, everything, with her creative lyrical arrangements. While doing that, she tries to balance the tightrope of motherhood, a task she says is no walk in the park for her.
Her album has apparently scored big. Tracks such as It's A Pity, What A Day, and The Other Cheek are scorchers locally. VP Records has grouped it as one of their top sellers, and reviews have spread as far as the New York Times with a feature last month.
In her customary nonchalant mannerism, Tanya declares she was just making music when she crafted the tunes.
"I was not thinking of any market, cross-over or local. I was just thinking of people. There are two types of people for me, consumers of the music and those who don't buy, nothing more."
Despite this attitude, she cannot help feeling attached to her latest album. She summarises how close she is to it by saying; "I love this album very much." When asked to rate it out of 10 however, she gives it a 20, while its producer Andrew Henton gives it a nine. Although sounding slightly cocky, Tanya notes that it is more pride than conceit.
"Pride in what you do is a healthy thing, and if you don't have pride in the things you do, don't expect anyone else to have pride in it," she explains. "I have pride in this thing and that is why I speak like that."
Pride aside, Tanya is not proud about the state of the local music industry. Concerning the status of women in dancehall, she says of all her 14 years in the business the opportunities have never been better for them. The problem to her however is that not many are stepping up to the plate.
"Right now dancehall is nice nice for women and everyone is getting played on air," she notes. "There are very few women who get into the business however, and even fewer of them with the things worth listening to."
She goes even further. With regards to clashing, Tanya says provided the conditions are right, she would go toe to toe with any female deejay who is worthy. "Competition is healthy, but competition and war are two different things," she quickly points out.
"I am not above clashing, but I am above clashing with people not worthy of clashing. For some of them I think I would have to write lyrics for them to use and clash me with."
Harsh words, but like a schizophrenic, there is a softer side to her which emerges for her nine-year-old daughter Kelly. The time Tanya spends with her is always limited. With pressing show dates, and overseas promotional stints, any time they get together is special.
"I have a lot of help when it comes on to her," she admits. "When I am not around there are a lot of people who are able to take care of her for me. Tell you the truth, sometimes she is the one who often turns around and mothers me."
Motherhood, she says, is no game, and is laced with several challenges in today's Jamaica. "My greatest challenge is to be more mature than her," she playfully states. "I have to keep my head level when it comes to dealing with her, but she is worth the joy."
In giving 'motherly' advice to aspiring artistes, Tanya recommends honesty. "If you don't have the talent, don't fool yourself," she proclaims. To female artistes trying to get into the business, she recommends just one slight adjustment.
"When you are coming into the business as a female artiste, drop the female from your title and just be an artiste, because when you go to the record store, there is no female section."
