Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Queen of the dancehall, Marion 'Lady Saw' Hall, shows off a plaque presented by The STAR. - Anthony Minott photos

Queen of the dancehall Lady Saw stamped her class with an excellent performance at THE STAR Tribute Series, showing why she was being honoured at Club Impulse, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Saturday night.

When Lady Saw arrived at the venue with her beau John John, she was immediately flocked by still and video cameras from media and fans.

After meeting, greeting and a performance by Spice, she took the stage but gave her artiste, Shenell, the opportunity to perform first. after the shy artiste did a song, Lady Saw unleashed her fury on the audience. She started out with a medley of some of her older songs, Rain Is Falling, If Di Man Lef, Eh Em, Fling It Up and Backshot.

She invited Lady G to the stage, saying, "by right dem shoulda honour har. When me deh a country dem woman ya a mash up Sting."

Lady G responded, saying ,"when yuh see Lady G come out, yuh must know seh har ratings tall up so." She proceeded to sing her favourite Lady Saw songs like Sicamore Tree and Woman Wi Name.

Lady Saw also thanked Dr Carolyn Cooper for being in attendance. she said the lecturer is one of the persons who has always been fighting for her.

the performance was not without controversy; as she went on to 'touch' some of the top male acts in the industry in a song called Curse.'Bounty killer him cursed 'cause him love beat woman! Him need a mad woman like me fi give him some ... stab,' she sang to much laughter and 'forwards'.

Vybz Kartel

While claiming that she wants Vybz Kartel to voice on her rhythm, she also mentioned the pictures of him receiving oral sex that were mysteriously leaked on more than one occasion. Beenie Man, Mavado and Aidonia were not spared, but the lyrics were tamer.

Zebra, however, felt all her wrath, as she said, "Zebra him cursed 'cause him love rape. Everytime dem lock him up, him find a new case. I feel dat bwoy have a man inna dat place."

"That was the warpath," Lady Saw said, while explaining that she has no rift with the artistes.

after the war, came the advice to women on how to get money from their men.

"Mi beg him (money), especially if him mean. If him nuh give mi, mi thief it when him a sleep," she said, preluding Beg Yuh. 'If you working and you a throw partner, use fi him money and save your money. Mi nuh like bruk-pocket man. Di man haffi mind himself and me."

She pleased the audience when she sang about wanting a billionaire. She also mentioned her relationship of 17 years, which has had its ups and downs. She entertained the audience with some new material that left them speechless. "My wine name money fi collect," she said as she asked the females what their men say to them to let them know they are 'good'. The women had no reservations in shouting their responses. She later sang Chat To Mi Back that had the audience jumping throughout.

Lady Saw closed her perform with her alter-ego Marion Hall. The softer side sang happy birthday to a patron and Silly Dreams, while discouraging females from stressing their men. This was followed by two of her European friends who sang a song each.

This was followed by THE STAR commending Lady Saw for her work over the years. Accepting her token, she said, "I really, really, appreciate this. I have been through a lot and, for THE STAR to honour me tonight; it's an honour to be honoured. Over the years, dem crown di man dem and dem nah crown di woman dem, so mi haffi give big up to THE STAR. I will keep doing the work, clean tune, gospel tune, bad tune, till the day I die. I love you all."

From left: Spice, Lady Saw and Lady G hanging out in the VIP lounge.

Spice gave an outstanding performance.

Spice rocks the stage

Prior to the performances, Club Impulse selectors DJ Marlon and DJ Paul played songs like Elephant Man's Log On, Sean Paul's Get Busy, Shaggy's Sexy Lady, Vybz Kartel's Send On and Mavado's Dreaming. as the selectors played Drop It Low, the Magnum girls made the stage their own, doing the accompanying dance moves. They also danced with the flexible dancer, Randy Rich.

This was followed by Sophia Squire who did a couple songs before Spice took the stage and excited patrons with No Fight Over Man. The artiste, who was introduced as the princess of dancehall, also sang about the recent birth of her child.

"A me seh baby fi born. Big up di babymothers inna di house and big up mi babyfather too," she said. "When unuh see dem, tell dem seh Spice ready again." To the approval of the audience, she sang, "mi glad Kartel a nuh mi pickney daddy 'cause him woulda use cakesoap and bathe di baby."

Without Pamputtae, she sang Slim Vs Fluffy, followed by Ramping Shop. She requested dimmed lights to sing Jim Screechie. She 'screechied' through the audience and then restarted the song.

Then she spoke fondly of Lady Saw. "If a neva fi she, Spice wouldn't deh ya fi talk up a bagga tings," Spice said before singing If Di Man Lef, while hoisting a leg in the air and gyrating.

"Mi a represent fi yuh tonight. Yuh inna yuh nice likkle dress, yuh can't do dem sup'm ya," she said, before starting a chant with Lady Saw's name. After leaving, she returned for an encore with more Lady Saw songs that the crowd sang along to.

Miss Kitty also 'talk up a bagga tings' and sang a piece of Man A Di Least. "Lady Saw is a true star, can you give her a round of applause, please," she said.

Miss Kitty (left) and Dr Carolyn Cooper are all smiles.