Lady Ann’s ‘Informer’ to be celebrated on International Reggae Day

Veteran entertainer Lady Ann is honoured that her song Informer is named as one of the top 15 tracks by 12 women who were responsible for some of the biggest hits in dancehall during the '80s and '90s.

The women are being honoured by International Reggae Day (IRD), which is being celebrated on July 1. Number one on the list is Bam Bam by Sister Nancy, followed by Informer by Lady Ann, One Draw by Rita Marley, Kuff by Shelly Thunder, and rounding out the top five earliest dancehall hits is Nuff Respect by Lady G.

In an interview with THE STAR, Lady Ann shared the genesis of Informer -- which was released in 1982 -- and a little of her dancehall journey.

"But Informer come about when my babyfather left his little brother to stay in his apartment and someone was talking things, so 'Bird' [the brother] say, 'Certain boy pon the corner a informer.' I said to him, 'Bird give me them line deh' and he said, 'Take them'," Lady Ann shared.

She added, "To be honest, I never know it would hit. I just heard Bird a throw word pon the soldier man next door and mi tek the lines and go studio and record the song. It never have the 'murderer' in it, and Errol Thompson say to me that the song need something. I remember the 'murderer' slang and mi go back in the studio and put that in ... and before you know it Informer was a huge hit."

Lady Ann had kudos for Agent Sasco because "when them request the riddim from we and we give them, Agent Sasco and Pitbull remix kinda give back my song a boost to the young crowd".

Recalling how she got the moniker Lady Ann, she shared that it was about April 1982 when her producer Leon and his brother, Chester, renamed her.

"I use the title 'lady' first and then everyone else use it. Leon name me off Princess Diana. But at that time, I was so broke and hungry I never think about a name. Plus, Leon and Chester are great producers; they knew what they were doing for me, so I just run with it ... and it sure works," she said.

After she walked away with DJ of the Year, Lady Ann received another title.

"I am the original First Lady of Dancehall. It's just that I never get any credit for it. [I was the] first to kick off shoe on stage. Everything I do, they follow me and take all the credit and act like is them start it it. I set the trend fi all a them other ladies," she said.

And Lady Ann is still repping dancehall. "Well, I still do music ... get a show now and then and still kill it," she said.

Asked if she had any advice for the females in the dancehall, she replied, "No ... because they have never acknowledged me. All I get from them is disrespect ... but big up Lady G, Tifa and Tanya Stephens."

IRD stated that "With their powerful voices, infectious melodies, and bold lyrics, these artistes made a significant impact on the dancehall scene and helped pave the way for future generations of female artistes in the genre."