Today will be fun! In the next installment of our Signatures series, we take a look at someone who is not only a personal favourite of mine but someone who I also consider to be amongst the most talented individuals that Reggae music has EVER produced in the form of an ultra-dynamic, versatile and POWERFUL songstress from out of western Trinidad. Over the course of the last quarter-century or so, Queen Omega has dazzled! She has shown herself to be at a SKILL level placing herself amongst the absolute greats of the genre and has, subsequently, demonstrated a level of consistency which, again, places her in very select company. A list like this could, EASILY, be a hundred tracks long but we're going to attempt to narrow it down and gather the strongest works of, in my opinion, THE most talented female in the history of Reggae music. Signatures: Queen Omega
1. 'Warning' featuring Sizzla Kalonji & Capleton
Lovely works. In any direction you would take this one -- Sizzla & Capleton, Capleton & Queen Omega, Queen Omega & Sizzla -- you'd be sure to have a winner on your hands. The very fact that it is ALL THREE of them, however, is kinda ridiculous (and the case could be made that the young Queen outshone her legendary spars). The song was THE signature from the Queen's beautiful self-titled debut set and has aged very well. I THINK the song was originally a combination between the two Jamaican legends and Queen Omega's portions were later added (not entirely sure though), in any case however, again, SIZZLA KALONJI + CAPLETON + QUEEN OMEGA = Something truly unforgettable.
2. 'Ganja Baby'
Ganja lady. While the legendary Rita Marley carries the heaviest of hands when it comes to ganja tunes from women with 'One Draw', I'd probably go as far as to say that Queen Omega charts in second place with the MAMMOTH shot that 'Ganja Baby' has grown into over the years. Far and away one of her most recognizable efforts, the Mickey D helmed track has remained a pillar and aged exceptionally well also. ANY type of compilation such as this would be totally incomplete and just downright irresponsible sans its presence. BOOM!
3. 'Wise Queens' featuring Kushite & Jalifa
Nah normal. This song had to be here for me for exactly whom it brings together. Years from now, hopefully we'll look back at 'Wise Queens' as having made a major impact on the genre but, specifically, Reggae from out of Trinidad in the wider sense. The tune linked Queen Omega with a pair of her very talented pears also from out of Trinidad, Kushite and Jalifa. In doing so she not only exposed their monstrous talents to a greater audience but they also, collectively, represented for women currently in the genre REGARDLESS of origins. Outside of the circumstances behind it, 'Wise Queens' was MIGHTY. It was a huge tune which pulled a variety of different vibes and covered a lot of ground and will be damn difficult to forget anytime soon.
4. 'Thunder Storm'
Grrrr! While I have not finished fleshing out this list (currently sitting at eight tracks (thirteen is the magic number, I'm thinking) (ended up being FIFTEEN), I'm very confident in saying that 'Thunder Storm' is the most purely EXCITING tune that you will find here. Irie Ites supplied their ASAP Riddim to the Queen and, in return, she burned it to the ground! EXPLOSIVE as it could possibly be, do not let what immediately strikes you about this storm distract you from another HUGE aspect about it: 'Thunder Storm' has a seat at the table of the discussion of being THE best written song of Queen Omega's entire career. The lyrical display she sets forth is one for the ages in the name of signaling to all the forthcoming unmissable revolution.
"I SEE THE FALL BABYLON WHEN JAH PEOPLE RISE"
5. 'See You Down'
To the ground. I feel threatened by 'See You Down'. I always have and I probably always but I will tell you what I mean . At no point in during its time does it NOT feel like there is some.... uncomfortable, uneasy presence to it. Maybe (probably) it's only me but there's SOMETHING so damn unsettling about it. I think Queen Omega knew it and she invited it and even did her part in adding to it. How, exactly?? Listen to how she sings it. She, herself, "threatens" to wholly eviscerate everyone, everywhere with her vocals (which, SERIOUSLY, are amongst the finest in all of Reggae today) teetering ever so closely to completely exploding several times during the song.... only to be reeled back in at the last possible moment. I look at songs at how they're written, how they sound and how they are delivered and there's another aspect: Presentation. There isn't a finer PRESENTED selection here as the Queen makes you feel LITERALLY what her idea of "down" is.... and you don't want that. One of the most strongest songs I've heard from anyone in a long time.
6. 'Hold On' featuring Anthony Que
Firm. Anthony Que did an album by the name of "Meditation Time" about a dozen years ago. It's excellent. It's a borderline Modern Classic and I enjoy it as much in 2025 as I ever have. "Meditation Time" contained a single featured guest and it just so happened be Queen Omega, joining in on, arguably, the album's single finest moment, 'Hold On'. I don't particularly know how this combination came to me (don't care either) but Que & Queen make for such a powerful pair, both in sound and in direction, that what resulted was such a delightful song to hear and one which definitely made its impact as well.
7. 'No Love'
Can't be denied. Two things: First of all 'No Love' from Little Lion Sound was downright MASTERFUL. It was absolutely brilliant and effortless at the same time. Like I said about 'Thunder Storm' it, too, can lay a substantial claim to being THE best song Queen Omega has ever done from a lyrical standpoint, specifically. The next very curious thing about 'No Love' is definitely its 'lifespan'. It's lead a very interesting life. If any song here can be described as having 'gone viral', this is definitely it as you can find many people (who aren't necessarily Reggae fans) reacting to the Dubplate version of it for LLS. It has proven to be quite surprisingly popular and has surely brought many new fans to the queendom.
8. 'Me No Frighten'
No fraid a you. Maybe you remember a little album the Queen did wayyy back in 2008 by the name of "Servant Of Jah Army" for Mad Professor and Ariwa. If you do then, SURELY, you should be familiar with the SCATHING 'Me No Frighten'. I say that because, otherwise, you may actually find this tune to be quite obscure but... I mean... LISTEN TO IT!
"Mi no run
If a murderer, come with a gun
Fyah bun!
Dem seh dem ah tek life fi fun
Under di sun, every man fi bless wid wisdom
Knowledge, overstanding - cause that coulda never dun
Every man must love & respect his woman
Never abuse her fi tek out yuh frustrations
She is the Mother of Creation
She bring forth your daughter; bring forth your son"
{Note: Notice the TRULY RIDICULOUS way she takes the chorus after the first verse and just... TURNS IT INTO MORE VERSE!}
9. 'Last Days'
Again and again. I had this song in my head, singing it, trying to figure out what it was because it simply had to be included here.
"I say it again and again"
Eventually, I came across 'Last Days' and:
"We're living in the last days
I SAY IT AGAIN AND AGAIN"
BOOM! Crafted by the same 149 Records who worked on 'Hold On' with Anthony Que across their GOLDEN Brighter Day Riddim, 'Last Days' was problems! Armed with more than just a hint of spite, the track featured a Queen who was equally concerned and caring. It wasn't the full smack to the face but a warning that, should you not heed it, such a shot had been deployed and was in your vicinity.
10. 'Uprising'
Get yourself prepared. Along with being EXCELLENT, 'Uprising' is also the answer to a very interesting trivia question. It was the very first song on Queen Omega's debut album and it would not only go on to set the tone of what was to follow on the subsequent seventeen tracks but also for the next quarter-century or so. 'Uprising' would have likely been the very first tune that a lot of fans had EVER heard from the songstress and not only does it carry a nostalgic type of weight but it was strong as well. A LOVELY song and it's no surprise that we're still listening, all these years later.
11. 'Big Up Papa'
PAPA! PAPA! PAPA! I gotta question for you: You probably know of hundreds of Roots Reggae songs which give [a most deserved] honour to the mothers of world; but how many do you know doing the same for the righteous, hard working dad's out there??? Probably not too many, if any at all. That being said, I've always respected the Queen for this turn, 'Big Up Papa', which found her not only giving thanks for THE Father (again, hundr.... THOUSANDS of those songs) but for her own, earthly sire for stepping up, taking care of his family and providing a strong, proper example in her life.
"Give thanks for my heavenly Father for making you my earthly father"
12. 'Don't Call Me Local'
I'm international. The great aforementioned Capleton once did a tune by the name of 'My Ting Tun Up Everywhere' which Queen Omega's 'Don't Call Me Local' has always, directionally at least, reminded me of. Both songs would go on to be fairly sizable hits in their day and the Queen's side of the sentiment easily earns its place on a list like this from me. Featuring the handiwork of the always entertaining Manudigital, 'Don't Call Me Local' was just a VIBE! It was a fun time of a song and a display of a towering level of skill and not a talent just from and for Trinidad, but the whole of Reggae music.
13. 'I Believe In Love'
It's the healing of the nation. THE standout from Queen Omega's somewhat forgotten (and damn difficult to find) sophomore set, "Pure Love", 'I Believe In Love' just may be the most BEAUTIFUL song that she's ever made. I listen back to this one these days (more than twenty years on now) and I hear such a delightfully youthful Queen. It's in her voice and I'd be willing to bet that when she sang 'I Believe In Love', she was having a really good day and it comes across to the listener. It's one of the best songs she's ever made and if it is your absolute favourite, you have very good taste, my friend.
14, 'Selassie I Know'
Selassie I, love you. I mentioned another tune here, 'Don't Call Me Local', as having always reminded me of a Capleton song and here we have another one which does the same, only far more directly.
"Queen Omega want yuh realize and overstand
Full time fi bun out dem confusion
Full time fi bun out dem frustration
Longtime wi ah bun out di disillusion
Now time fi bun out miseducation
Now time fi bun out dem temptation
Full time wi ah bun out paganism
Come people bun out favouritism"
Hmmmm. Now what does that sound like to you???
15. 'Away From Babylon'
Closer to Mount Zion! Lastly, 'Away From Babylon' is both the title and signature track from an album that we've declared a Modern Classic around here (same album carried 'Ganja Baby'. It was LOADED) and it... casually strides it's way onto this list and the same should be the case for any collection of Queen Omega's greatest works. 'Away From Babylon' was a celebration, it was wise, it was cool and it was just a BEAUTIFUL song and so it remains. Probably still my single favourite song that she has ever done, Queen Omega announced to all seeking her out where exactly where you could find her... or exactly where you CANNOT.
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