WORLD MUSIC: Tanya Stephens



Tanya Stephens

 Born vivienne Tanya Stephens in Kingston Jamaica, we know her better as Tanya Stephens. She grew up in St. Anns and St. Mary. Though she was well knowned on the island of Jamaica with hits like These Streets, she acheived international recognition with her slow song It is a Pity.  With her debut album Big Tings a Gwan she was a hit amongst Jamaican dancehall goers and enjoyed great success. Her release Rebelution was overly successful! The ablum sold out in Jamaica and many think it is due to her tribute to Rosa Parks--her song Rosa.

In 1998 she was called one of Jamaica's Top female artists by the Washington Post and after her first album, she developed as an artist speaking out against such things as homophobia. She was called "intuitive and "intelligent" by scientist Clinton Hutton for speaking out on such relevant topics.