by: Mark Dixon
Dancehall reggae music is increasingly becoming a popular form of music on the airwaves of some of the hottest radio stations. But one could not ignore the fact that majority of the songs that are currently being played are performed by Male artists.
Could this be a form of gender bias or is it that female artist are not making/writing songs worthy of being played as often as their male counter part? In my opinion there is some level of gender bias in the Dancehall arena that contributes to the stifling of female artists.
If one should sit down one day and take a well needed trip down memory lane. The effect that female artists had on Dancehall music could be summed up in one word, tremendous. But unfortunately, male artists were still seen as the more dominant and respected figures in the late and early 90s; even though the quality of music between both sexes were of the same caliber.
Mind me, male artists have and are continuing to make their mark on Dancehall music and desires all the love and support they deserve. But let’s face it; female artists are not getting the respect they deserve in the Dancehall arena.
It is often said that the longevity and popularity of a Dancehall artist is measured by the artist talent or lack thereof, true, but if you ask me talent has nothing to with which artist gets played more that the other. Why you ask? Some producers of Dancehall artists have already conditioned themselves to connect the aggressiveness and energy that Dancehall music brings to that of a male.
A female artist on the other hand is often viewed as the “not as energetic.” Therefore, producers and radio personalities alike tend to show favoritism towards male artists. Sadly, it often results in one sex getting played or acknowledged more than the other. To use sex as a basis on which to determine an artist’s quality or the level of energy they can bring to fans of Dancehall music is doing a disservice to us.
Take for example Dancehall artists Lady Saw and Bounty Killer. Lady Saw is probably one of Jamaica’s most listen to and talked about female artist. Many might view her signature style of music as being provocative, but nonetheless she’s an awesome artist and deserves to be acknowledged and put on a pedestal like her male counter part Bounty Killer.
The manner in which she conducts herself on stage shows can be a bit sexual and her performances are sometimes unsuitable for younger audiences. Needless to say, without ifs, ands, or buts, Lady Saw is undoubtedly a great artist and deserves to be acknowledged and respected in the Dancehall arena for the years of work she has blessed her fans with.
The unfair treatment of female artists and the lack of respect they are often showed in the Dancehall arena wouldn’t come as news to fans. But when it is all said and done, female artists will always be respected, supported, and cherished by Dancehall fans like myself.
Copyright 2005 by Mark Dixon, all rights reserved.
