Karamanti - Dancehall Retaliates (Blakkwuman22 Music)

The name Karamanti won't ring a bell with most Belgian dancehall fans. Having been passionate about music from an early age, this Jamaican deejay finally releases her first full album and the result is impressive. The dancehall scene is still predominated by a macho culture, so it is always a good thing when a strong female artist appears, all the more when she has a positive and relevant message to spread! This lady has a clear goal with this record, which the title 'Dancehall Retaliates' already suggests. Over the past few years dancehall has had to deal with problems with its reputation. Karamanti wants to neutralize this negative image: "It's not because you have negativity in dancehall music that dancehall music in itself is negative." In her lyrics, which are strictly conscious, the 'queen of positive dancehall' condemns the slackness and violence within the dancehall culture. The sincere and authentic style appealed to this listener.

Karamanti profiles herself as a "strong black woman" and that is precisely the impression you get listening to 'Dancehall Retaliates'. Tracks like 'Nobody Cyaah Stop We' of 'Suited Up', confident and militant, are successful manifestations of that. This lady has a powerful voice (with a cool rolling '-r'), at times resembling Queen Ifrica's. This record sounds like pure dancehall, with an added fierce and positive message ("There is war inside every human; mek sure every day you fight and tek the right decisions"). She speaks with a clear emphasis on empowerment in tracks like 'Read', pleading enlightment with her audience, and warning her "little sisters" in 'Yuh Did Know Say…!!!' that the outfits and dance moves which might be popularizing in the party scene won't help them to find a job or get out of the ghetto.

To summarize, this is a record by a fierce lady with a positive message on catchy riddims. Definitely worth the listen!