Dancehall's Favourite MILF!: A Review of Rated G by Lady G

There are some artists out there who, for one reason or another, I just seem to have a healthy affection for, and generally speaking, regardless what they do, they’re someone who I always look forward to hearing from. These artists, normally either won’t appear on my favourite lists AT ALL or, at best, at the lower halves, because they simply aren’t my favourites (more on that in a minute) but still I seem to seek them out at certain times and when they finally do reach with a new something, I usually become their biggest cheerleader. If you take someone like Sizzla, my favourite artist, he wouldn’t even receive this type of treatment from me as, I’m not shy at all about throwing critiques on Sizzla (see Addicted album) or Beenie Man or Queen Omega (should she ever do anything wrong) (besides getting caught in public smoking), but this kind of curious group, they tend to be above reproach, at least from me. Its also worth mentioning that, for the most part, MOST of these artists are in this category because they typically aren’t the most active and PROBABLY if they were consistently more active, I wouldn’t rate them as highly (with a few exceptions). A great example of this would DEFINITELY be Mega Banton who, in my opinion, is one of the more underrated pure Dancehall artists of all time and although its fairly easy to see why he wasn’t the HUGE star alongside the Bujus and Beenies of the world, I have a very hard time seeing why Mega couldn’t rate alongside those in that next group of names like (in terms of popularity, not skill, skill wise he probably would belong in the first group as would -) Mad Cobra, Spragga Benz and Red Rat back in what would have been his heyday. The one GLARING reason for Mega’s absence from such a list is his literal absence from the scene as he simply doesn’t voice as much as he should. Another VERY similar name and one who would is one of my favourites of all time is [General] Degree, in my opinion one of the best Dancehall artists of all time. Not too much being a MASTER of any trait in particular but being SOLID in every respect in the game and just absolutely EXUDING what it means to be a Dancehall artist and a business man also in many ways. I’d still go on to mention other names all around such as Nadine Sutherland and even Papa San still to a lesser degree (due, largely, to his past works and not so much with his gospel turn presently) in the Dancehall and on the Roots side, I’ll draw on names like Chrisinti and Marlon Asher from out of Trinidad, as artists who, you may not hear A LOT from them but they’ve definitely earned my respects to a great deal for pushing strong vibes.

Going back to General Degree who, as I alluded to, would almost be in a class of his own in these respects because of how highly I rate him, Degree has had a pretty long relationship (musically speaking, of course) with a next artist who would also fall into this category for me, Lady G! In terms of PURE TALENT, Lady G would definitely have to rate amongst the ‘best’ female Dancehall artists Jamaica has ever grown as the Portmore native has shown herself throughout her OUTSTANDING yet underrated career, to be an artist who, although not likely to grow to the standing of the Tanyas and the Saws of the world, can definitely maintain her own and keep her fans happy in doing so (and I’m one of them). And after what seemed like such a LONG time away from the game (probably wasn’t that long), within the past four years or so Lady G has reestablished herself as not only one of the most talented women in the business but one of the most POPULAR names as well as she started appearing on current riddims again, she started TOURING and her name started appearing on not only some of the most popular shows in Jamaica but on some of the biggest bills and spotlights worldwide. And, again, I don’t know how long Lady G was away or if I just wasn’t paying so great attention (as I probably heard about ten songs in full from her between 2001~’04) but her talent has shown and she once again risen to the top. In doing so, she has also, once again, attracted the attentions of the powers that be and is now WONDERFULLY releasing her LOOOOOOOOOOONG overdue sophomore album, Rated G. “What happened to freshman if she is already at sophomore”, you say? Lady G actually released her debut album, God Daughter way back in the year 1995 (my first year of HIGH SCHOOL). That album was pretty good actually as it was helmed by none other than Xterminator head, Philip ‘Fattis’ Burrell (who, incidentally, would also produce Nadine Sutherland’s self titled debut a couple of years later also) and was released via industry leader VP Records (as was Sutherland’s album) and although I don’t think it really did anything in the way of commercial success (if it had you have to think she would have already had another somewhere in the last fourteen years) it was a nice vibes and included the BIG tune Have Them In A Circle alongside Beres Hammond. Now, after delivering BIG tunes for a few years straight now, Lady G brings forth Rated G. For what I’ve noticed, although I recall her speaking of it from since late last year, Rated G hasn’t had much in the way of publicity surrounding it and I imagine that its being released with very little fanfare and, judging by the way her career has gone, I’m sure Lady G wouldn’t mind at all because in truth, Dancehall heads KNOW when Lady G drops a project, the results are potentially serious. So is Rated G SERIOUS? Yes but certainly more serious if you’re a fan of the artist. As someone who, as I mentioned, has never been the most lauded or appreciated of names on the scene, Lady G definitely still has the fan base (which is growing slowly but still growing definitely) which will keep supporting her, like myself. It is those of us who fall into that bunch who are so much more likely to appreciate what the veteran does on her new album Rated G and all others, unless they approach with a patient ear and open mind, are likely to miss out.

Next to going Japanese (which we’re thankful that she didn’t do), Lady G has chosen the next most popular resource for album distribution these days outside of VP/Greensleeeves, Tad’s Records and, by extension, Zojak Worldwide digitally who has been doing HEAVY business recently including releases for Jah Cure, Cocoa Tea and Teflon within the last year alone. Rated G gets started with what turns out to be the first single I believe, Ghetto Vibes, which is EASILY the biggest tune you’ll find on the album altogether (despite the fact that I REALLY wanted to give that honour to a next tune but COMMON FUCKING SENSE prevailed ultimately). Ghetto Vibes was a hit for Lady G and it wasn’t a surprise either as the tune had such a uniting vibes of showing all of the great things about living in and growing in the ghetto, showing it not to be the hellish place its so often characterized as which was and remains a very NECESSARY message in this time still. LOVELY tune and the album’s finest moment. Next up is a tune which seemed doomed not only to follow in the footsteps of Ghetto Vibes but also because it takes the melody from what I THINK is a Michael Jackson tune but the song, Long Time, grew on me after Lady G’s lyrics begin and although it doesn’t quite rise to being one of my favourite on Rated G, I definitely recognize the true strength of the tune. It speaks to her longevity in the business which, in effect, is the reason that we’re all hearing this album anyway and it kind of amounts to a ‘humble victory lap’ for Lady G but she well deserves it and a nice tune Long Time serves it well to my opinion. Lastly, completing the opening for Rated G is a SWEET and MATURE spiritual tune vibes which flows so nicely in Lady G’s own style. I used to always make the remark in terms of Lady G’s lyrics that while she doesn’t come with the flare and the flashiness, instead she simply says what should be said. Jah Above All Things is a PERFECT example of that to end the opening for the album.

Lady G recently has been popping up all over the place on other artists’ projects including I Wayne’s most recent album Book Of Life and just last year on Benaïssa’s debut album, Tables Turn, of all places, so its not shocking at all that some of Rated G’s finest moments come in the combinations she runs on her own. Worth mentioning primarily is DEFINITELY the HILARIOUS combination with longtime veteran Lovindeer, That Question. This tune is so funny and creative from every angle and its loaded in (not too) veiled sexual innuendo. I’ve loved it from the very first time I heard it (sometime around late last year) and I was so happy to see it on the album also. BIG tune and you’re not likely to hear it anywhere else (unless that Lovindeer album reaches anytime soon as he produces the tune). Secondly out three, Lady G links with her most high profile guest, Anthony B, on the kind of country/gospel breakup tune Right Time. I’m not too high on Right Time(AT ALL) but I was happy to see such a link being made after Lady G playing guest star in so many similar situations. And lastly, Lady G hooks up with who apparently was quite a good friend of hers, late and potentially great Danish Reggae star Natasja with the HYPE Know Your Rights. I’ve always felt that Natasja had some REAL skill and was someone who had CLEARLY studied the game and she shines so bright on the serious tune that she manages to hold her own with Lady G and the two make a downright dynamic pair on the tune and we only wish that they could give it another go at it someday. Big tune and one of the album’s finest. What really stands out on the balance of the album is the very mature tone Lady G adopts even when she’s just having fun, which produces some very nice tunes. Check the social commentary What A Gwan. The tune very matter of factly speaks about the ills of society and the mistreatment of so many youths. It almost sounds like something you’d hear CAPLETON singing but, as I said, with Lady G’s experience overall level of ability, the woman is certified to do anything on a mic that she so chooses and I’m glad she chose What A Gwan (BIG lyrics). Free is a next nice tune over a very nice riddim. This one goes on a relationship topic and specifically maintaining one’s sense of SELF in the process of going through a difficult relationship and it gets addictive later (and check the BIG Busy Signal-like lyrics, “Mi nah believe in no relationship because they crash too fast and sink too quick!). Forever Young caught my ears for two reasons: One, it features Lady G in that STRAIGHT FORWARD old school Dancehall delivery that she does so well; and two, it comes across the same URGENT riddim over which Vybz Kartel, Aidonia and Gwada star Krys combined over to push the MASSIVE Hustla tune last year. Overall she doesn’t eclipse the boys altogether but I’d put her verses up against the best of that unforgettable tune definitely. Look At Her Now is a DEEP and moving tune speaking of teenage pregnancies and all that comes of it (“she get so much man you woulda think she was the navy!”). Slow Motion is one of my favourites, a tune about making love nice and cool like, a much needed refreshment from the dagger era. I’m In The Mood keeps that vibes going although to a much more IMMEDIATE vibes and in a big Dancehall style. I LOVE when the woman goes heavy on the Dancehall style and she does so BIG here and even manages to namedrop one of her famous neighbours in the process (and did I mention that Lady G is SEXY these days???). Rated G keeps the vibes nice as it winds down. Life Sentence is BIG tune! One of the best on the album as Lady G isn’t sticking by her man like Ce’Cile and she’s telling you EXACTLY why! Speaking of why, Why is another big tune speaking anti-violence and especially violence against EVERYONE, man, woman and child (and that one-drop on that tune is EVIL!). And fittingly, Las’ Time rounds things out taking much needed shots at the fecal matter of the earth, men who hit their women and setting a big stage for Natasja to help Lady G send Rated G on its way.

Overall, I’m almost disappointed that I know that outside of Lady G’s fans, new and old, not too many people are likely to be able to appreciate the real strength of the album as is generally the case with her music. It also may not increase GREATLY in profile, thus making it even more unlikely that newer fans will even know that its existence. HOWEVER, if you are a fan of Lady G and of Dancehall, in general from the nineties or so, then you’ll potentially LOVE this album. I have to make (and stress) that distinction though because I don’t feel Rated G is very accessible to purely new fans of the genre in full. Lady G also has the maturity and the tones I feel to pull in a few Roots heads as well but, in my opinion, consistently she shines brightest in the Dancehall and I’d love to see her maybe do a full Dancehall album someday. As it stands, however, Lady G’s Rated G is a very well done latest installment to an artist still at her best after all this time who I’m finding it increasingly and increasingly difficult to say a bad word about. Very good.

Rated 4/5 stars

Tad's Records/Zojak Worldwide

2009

CD + Digital