NUFF RESPECT
LADY G says on more than one occasion she has had thoughts of throwing in the towel. But with consistent bookings, it seems that won’t happen anytime soon.
“I love going on a stage and hearing the crowd sing my songs word for word. I love being able to share my experiences with my fans while remaining true to myself as an artiste. It makes me fit into spaces that other dancehall acts are not able to fit into,” said Lady G.
She is scheduled to perform on Michael Bolton LIVE in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, September
18. She is promising a memorable set.
“Fans can expect a great, fun and entertaining set from me at these upcoming events. I’m booked predominantly in North America now but I’m looking forward to my Caribbean tour which is in the planning stages as well,” said Lady G.
“I’m always recording new music, that is the work of an artiste, but I know it’s my clean lyrics from my worldwide hits and my on-the-spot freestyles on stage that keep the fans entertained,” said Lady G, whose given name is Janice Fyffe.
With a career spanning 38 years, Lady G came, saw and conquered. The winner of the Female DJ
Of the Year award on multiple occasions (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, and 1998), Lady G truly paved the way for many female dancehall artistes of today.
But her love affair with music began as a child while living in Dela Vega City in Spanish Town, St Catherine.
Living in a community with entertainers such as Papa San and his brother Dirtsman, also stirred Lady G’s interest in pursuing music.
“Growing up in Dela Vega City, I was neighbours with Papa San and Dirtsman. I used to watch
San writing lyrics and deejaying on the sound system. Then I started writing my own lyrics and whenever we had functions in the community, I would participate,” Lady G recalled.
She continued, “There was a talent competition in Spanish
Town and I performed. Then I met Daddy Meekie and he took me to Black Scorpio and that’s where I started deejaying on a sound system. I’m happy I was able to work with some respected entertainers and sound owners who really respected my talent and helped to elevate my career.”
Dirtsman was shot and killed in the community by unknown assailants in December 1993.
Lady G made her debut in 1984 with Ghetto Rock, produced by Maurice “Jack Scorpio” Johnston and appeared on the Black Scorpio label.
Through the years, Lady G has scored a number of hit songs, including her 1988 number one hit
Nuff Respect, an anthem for the females and produced by Gussie Clarke’s Anchor Records.
“Nuff Respect was my first hit song and it really changed my life. It proved to the people that I am also a recording artiste. At the time, I was mostly performing on the sound system. Nuff
Respect gave me the opportunity to travel all over the world,” said Lady G.
The song topped the JBC Radio Top 30 chart as well as reggae charts within the United Kingdom,
Lady G the Caribbean, and in New York.
A year later, she would score two hits, Samfie Lover with Hopeton James of the Techniques (number 19 on the RJR Top 40 chart) and Legal Rights with Papa San (number one on every major chart in Jamaica).
But it wasn’t until 1990 that
Lady G’s popularity went through the roof with Round Table Talk, another collaboration with Papa San. She sees this as the highlight of her career.
Another of her hit songs was Breeze Off (Juvenile Records), produced by Danny Browne, and which topped the charts in 1997.
However, in 2000, Lady G and then labelmate at Main Street Records, Crissy D, teamed up with British garage music outfit B-15 Project for the hit single Girls Like Us, which reached number seven on the British pop chart, number 22 the Netherlands (where it has been certified gold), and number 35 in Scotland.
Current releases for Lady G include Live It Up produced by General Degree on his Size 8 Rhythm and Big Woman Ting by Malvo Production.