- Tanya Stephens
Infobox Musical artist
Img_size = 150
Name = Tanya Stephens
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Vivienne Stephenson
Alias = Tanya Stephens
Origin = St. Mary,Jamaica
Born = Birth date and age|1973|7|2|mf=y
Died =
Genre =Dancehall ,Reggae
Occupation =Deejay ,Singer
Years_active = 1990's-present
Label = VP/Madhouse Records
Associated_acts = VP,Madhouse Records ,
URL =Vivienne Stephenson, better known by her stage name Tanya Stephens (born
July 2 1973 inKingston, Jamaica ) is one of the most influentialReggae artists that emerged in the late 1990s. Stephens is most known for her hits "Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet" — the single was later featured on the "Reggae Gold 1997 " compilation album — and "It's a Pity", which achieved Tanya international recognition as a one of a kind artist.In an industry historically dominated by male artists with an occasional sexy vixen, Stephens introduces an element of advanced creativity not common in her era. She is both ahead of her time, with ideological dissertation and reminiscent of a past era when soul music by the likes of
Marvin Gaye andBob Marley reigned supreme.Her album "Rebelution" was released in August 2006 and the first single "These Streets" was a number one hit in the Caribbean staying on Tempo's Chart at number 1 for more than 4 weeks. The album was totally sold out in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean.
The track "
Dance 4 Me " was a big hit in these areas too, reaching number 4 in the club charts.She is versatile. Many of her songs talk about partying and dancing, but her biggest hits have all been about relationships. She also includes social commentary.
In "These Streets", on the gang phenomenon in Jamaica, she states: "Now de feds have dem case, weh you deh in the poundMi a look fi a familiar face, mi nuh see none aroundWhen yuh call mi collect and gimme errands fi doMi nuh see no hot gyal, mi nuh see none a yuh crewGovernment cease everyting, dat gees, everytingAnd anoda ball a done tek ova di spotA run trees everything, got keys, everytingAnd 10 calls ah month is all yuh got saying"Talking as if she were one of the family members of these incarcerated gangsters.
Bedouin Soundclash reference Tanya's hit "Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet" in "Living In Jungles" from the album "Sounding a Mosaic ".Discography
Albums
*"
Big Things A Gwaan " RUNNetherlands 1994
*"Too Hype " VP Records 1997
*"Ruff Ryder " VP Records 1998
*"Sintoxicated " Warner 2001
*"Gangsta Blues " VP Records 2004Top Reggae Albums : #10
*"Rebelution" VP Records 2006 Top Reggae Albums: #11ingles
* "It's a pity"
* "Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet"
* "Draw fi Mi Finger"
* "Freaky Type"
* "Cry and Bawl"
* "Boom Wuk"
* "These Streets"
* "Dance 4 Me " (Mark Morrison featuring Tanya Stephens)External links
* [http://www.jahworks.org/music/interview/tanya_stephens.htm Interview with Tanya Stephens on Germaican Observer] (2003)
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/dancehall/xtra/tanya.shtml Robbo Ranks interviews Tanya Stephens for 1Xtra] (audio interview, 2006)
* [http://miaminewtimes.com/2006-09-14/music/viva-la-rebelution/ Interview with Miami New Times after release of Rebelution] (2006)
* [http://micapam.innariddim.com/music/tanya-stephens-interview Recent interview with Tanya Stephens] (2008)
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