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Hume Johnson, PhD
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Queen Ifrica
When Queen Ifrica came out blazing in 2007 with a firestorm of scorching melodies, she hoped her inspired composi-tions would set alight the proverbial walls of Jericho and secure for her a place in reggae's kingdom and in the hearts of the people.
Mission Accomplished.
Hailed as the "Fyah Mumma", this outspoken and confident Rastafarian queen has marked a commanding start to her musical reign.
This by arming herself with a powerful string of reggae hits, including the poignant Keep It to Yourself a debut album,
major global reggae appear-ances, numerous awards and nominations as well as an overwhelming presence among the downtrodden in her native Jamaica.
Born Ventrice Latora Morgan, this daughter of legendary rock steady icon, Derrick Morgan, however, made her authoritative debut with the release of the local smash hit Below the Waist in 2007. Its lighthearted and mischievous lyrics quickly aroused a massive fan base for this new artiste, catapulted her to number one on the local
reggae charts, and established Queen Ifrica's popularity in
the dancehall.
But if Below the Waist offered her status among reggae's elite, then it was the Fyah Mumma's melodic essay on incest entitled Daddy; her counsel to women against skin bleaching in the popular single, Nah Rub and her bold admonition to women who harbour criminal lovers in the powerful words of Randy, which consolidates Queen Ifrica's reputation as a powerful voice for the weak and oppressed.
Sung in a personalised tearful reggae lament and mimicking the voice of a young girl, Daddy chronicles in graphic form the experience of a young girl who is sexually abused by her father. The song's tragic and heart-breaking content touched a deep chord with a Jamaican population already accustomed to violence and victimisation. Daddy became an instant hit on local radio and soared to the top of reggae charts in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and across the world.
This chart-topper not only held sway in the Jamaican dancehall but, for the first time since dancehall toaster Bounty Killer's release of Nine and Buju Banton's Circumstances, a song forced wide open for public discussion a subject long held as taboo in Jamaican society.
In fact, so uncomfortable was Queen Ifrica's unbolting of incest that it ignited fierce debate and controversy about the appropriateness of the lyrics among sections of the Jamaican society. Some sections of the community even called for Daddy to be banned.
Queen Ifrica's fierce determination to 'burn out' negative trends and contrary influences which have held back the poor black in the Jamaican slums, has positioned her as an artiste with a keen sense of social justice and a first class lyricist/songwriter. Her deep and genuine concerns about the social issues which beset her native Jamaica punctuate her debut album Fyah Mumma.
Produced and distributed by Tony Rebel's Flames Productions, Fyah Mumma features songs such as Zince Fence, Randy, Boxers and Stockings and Babylon Blunder.
"My music is about self development. It is food for thought. I have learned that self esteem is very important. It does not matter where you live or where you come from, respect of self and your surroundings and being grateful for what you have at the moment is a very great weapon against obstacles that may come along the way".
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Queen Ifrica
When Queen Ifrica came out blazing in 2007 with a firestorm of scorching melodies, she hoped her inspired composi-tions would set alight the proverbial walls of Jericho and secure for her a place in reggae's kingdom and in the hearts of the people.
Mission Accomplished.
Hailed as the "Fyah Mumma", this outspoken and confident Rastafarian queen has marked a commanding start to her musical reign.
This by arming herself with a powerful string of reggae hits, including the poignant Keep It to Yourself a debut album,
major global reggae appear-ances, numerous awards and nominations as well as an overwhelming presence among the downtrodden in her native Jamaica.
Born Ventrice Latora Morgan, this daughter of legendary rock steady icon, Derrick Morgan, however, made her authoritative debut with the release of the local smash hit Below the Waist in 2007. Its lighthearted and mischievous lyrics quickly aroused a massive fan base for this new artiste, catapulted her to number one on the local
reggae charts, and established Queen Ifrica's popularity in
the dancehall.
But if Below the Waist offered her status among reggae's elite, then it was the Fyah Mumma's melodic essay on incest entitled Daddy; her counsel to women against skin bleaching in the popular single, Nah Rub and her bold admonition to women who harbour criminal lovers in the powerful words of Randy, which consolidates Queen Ifrica's reputation as a powerful voice for the weak and oppressed.
Sung in a personalised tearful reggae lament and mimicking the voice of a young girl, Daddy chronicles in graphic form the experience of a young girl who is sexually abused by her father. The song's tragic and heart-breaking content touched a deep chord with a Jamaican population already accustomed to violence and victimisation. Daddy became an instant hit on local radio and soared to the top of reggae charts in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and across the world.
This chart-topper not only held sway in the Jamaican dancehall but, for the first time since dancehall toaster Bounty Killer's release of Nine and Buju Banton's Circumstances, a song forced wide open for public discussion a subject long held as taboo in Jamaican society.
In fact, so uncomfortable was Queen Ifrica's unbolting of incest that it ignited fierce debate and controversy about the appropriateness of the lyrics among sections of the Jamaican society. Some sections of the community even called for Daddy to be banned.
Queen Ifrica's fierce determination to 'burn out' negative trends and contrary influences which have held back the poor black in the Jamaican slums, has positioned her as an artiste with a keen sense of social justice and a first class lyricist/songwriter. Her deep and genuine concerns about the social issues which beset her native Jamaica punctuate her debut album Fyah Mumma.
Produced and distributed by Tony Rebel's Flames Productions, Fyah Mumma features songs such as Zince Fence, Randy, Boxers and Stockings and Babylon Blunder.
"My music is about self development. It is food for thought. I have learned that self esteem is very important. It does not matter where you live or where you come from, respect of self and your surroundings and being grateful for what you have at the moment is a very great weapon against obstacles that may come along the way".
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