Prod. Joe Gibbs (1981)
Heavenless Riddim
Kilimanjaro, of the biggest sound systems in Jamaica during the late 70s, was where Barbara Smith aka Lady Ann was first passed the mic by top deejay Little John.
Lady Ann, dancehall's first lady, made history in 1982 as the first female deejay to top the charts for her single Informer, and was also was the first woman deejays with a number one album.
Being immersed in the male-dominated scene didn't phase the likes of Lady Ann -"Pure problem me give the whole of them - when they see me they see pure trouble."
This attitude seems to have given Lady Ann a more resilient edge over her female contemporaries - her latest album, Bad Gyal Inna Dance (2008) demonstrates her fresh sound, cheeky demenour, and that her talents on the mic haven't waned over the decades.
Despite popular opinion, Informer isn't about a police informant. Lady Ann wrote the track to shame a gossiping ex-boyfriend, as hinted in the lines:
"Say 'im in a clarks me in a ruff skinner
Certain bwoy nuh love dat an' go tell me fada
He's not a dreadlocks, nah he's not a policeman
He's not a soldier man, nah he's not a babylon
It was a informer..."
In 2008 Alborosie jumped on the Heavenless/Informer bandwagon and re-released himself toasting over Lady Ann's original vocals, which rubbed me up the wrong way. The new cut feels like he is stamping over this woman's groundbreaking original tune; however it could just be a way for pop-reggae newcomers to appreciate the young voice of dancehall's first lady - Lady Ann.
Lady Acroline
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