Tanya Stephens

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Tanya Stephens

Background information
Birth name	Vivienne Stephenson
Also known as	Tanya Stephens
Born	July 2, 1973 (1973-07-02) (age 34)
Origin	St. Mary, Jamaica
Genre(s)	Dancehall, Reggae
Occupation(s)	Deejay, Singer
Years active	1990's-present
Label(s)	VP Records
Associated acts	VP, Madhouse Records,

Vivienne Stephenson, better known by her stage name Tanya Stephens (born July 2, 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica) is one of the most influential Reggae 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 and Bob 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 pound Mi a look fi a familiar face, mi nuh see none around When yuh call mi collect and gimme errands fi do Mi nuh see no hot gyal, mi nuh see none a yuh crew Government cease everyting, dat gees, everyting And anoda ball a done tek ova di spot A run trees everything, got keys, everyting And 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.