Tanya Stephens represents the new crop of female reggae artist, those who are as brash and as confident as any of their male counterparts. Her strong lyrics and well-crafted songs reflect the world of the contemporary woman who’s capable not just of bringing home the bacon but, if needs be, frying it too.

Born Vivienne Tanya Stephens on July 2, 1973 in Kingston, she was named, along with Lady Saw, another Reggae artist, “top female artist in Jamaica” by the Washington Post in 1998.

Give a listen to It’s a Pity, the single that gained her international recognition.