IWD #EachForEqual: Music maven
Lady G gains ‘Nuff Respect’ with female anthem
Published:Sunday | March 8, 2020 | 12:00 AMStephanie Lyew - Sunday Gleaner Writer
Reggae-dancehall entertainer Lady G has spoken out about inequality in the music industry and society, but one of her most pivotal productions – which is viewed by many as an anthem for women – almost got no ‘respect’ from her when she first recorded it. Taking a pragmatic approach, Lady G said Nuff Respect was just a means to an end, but for other female recording artistes like Natalie Storm, Lady G’s most challenging production reinforced a positive message for females far and wide.
“Young or old, big or small, you somehow got the message, and if you didn’t, you’re just plain stupid. This song for me is a true positive message for ladies everywhere, and the video, in its simplicity, only reinforces the song’s message,” was Storm’s interpretation of the single eight years ago in an article on largeup.com.
It would certainly come as a surprise to her that Lady G at first did not take a liking to a track that directly advocated for respect with lyrics like “Nuh carry me name, nuh spread nuh rumour … show me nuff respect.”
“It was boring. I did not feel it was the most appropriate time, plus I never liked deejaying on that type of riddim,” Lady G told The Sunday Gleaner.
She added: “Mikie Bennett was the musical director for Nuff Respect, and he wanted it perfect. I deejayed it over and over again until my throat get dry, and he said, ‘Go get some water’, but I am sure it was also for me to go and come back with the right attitude.”
Even when the recording process was complete, she admitted to leaving the studio thinking, “I recorded a song today, and it was boring”, and there were some reservations about how the reggae and dancehall market would receive it.
“The decision had to be made to uplift my life, especially when there were several derogatory songs about females circulating and females themselves going for the derogatory. I always believed as long as a lesson can be learnt from my music, that should be the main focus,” said the Woman Be Careful deejay.
“Sometimes, females can do a lot more, but some of us get fed up, or have fears about the industry, but we are the backbone, so it’s time to let go and get things into action. Look at people – Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, June Isaacs, and so many others. I can’t even begin to put names out there because a lot has changed, and there are more of us. Show us all respect, and show each other respect.”
Mother of three – two daughters and a son – the veteran deejay said that the song transformed her life, and if there was any lesson she went on to teach her children, it would be to “have respect for people and for yourself when you go out”.
Lady G shared: “I always tell my children if you do anything bad, it is going to reflect badly on me too. And to my son, have respect for the women and for life.”
She is currently promoting her Smile EP 2.0, which features songs such as Nothing Boring, Nah Sell Out, Little Girl, and the Rock and Come In collaboration with Shae Mill, along with working with her daughter, Ahalia, to create a musical legacy of her own.