Tifa Says She’s The Best Female Dancehall Artist

As she deejayed on Spell It Out 15 years ago, dancehall artist Tifa still believes she is the “b-a-d-d-e-s-t”. 

Taking to social media with an inspirational post, the popular entertainer philosophised that self praise is the ultimate recommendation. 

“I’m here with a word today to tell you to believe in yourself cause if you nuh believe inna you, nobody else nah go believe inna you,” she said. “Believe in yourself. Tell yourself every day you’re the best… Just like me; mi tell myself every day mi a di b-a-d-d-e-s-t. Mi tell myself every day mi a the best, no matter wah dem say, no matter wah dem comment, no matter wah dem gwaan wid. Tifa is the best female dancehall artist, and once me believe it, mi know mi can achieve it.”

She supported her ethos by referencing other artists who have self-labelled their abilities and qualities. 

“R Kelly did come seh him can fly; R Kelly did tell unno seh him a the world’s greatest – unno never question it,” Tifa said, citing his I Believe and The World’s Greatest tracks. “Khaled come seh, ‘We the best’…unno run backa Khaled. Kanye did come seh him a God and unno still buy him music, so guess what? Tifa is the best… A me seh that and mi nah tek back no chat.”

But not all netizens agreed. 

“There is a name for this: delusion!” one user commented. 

“Amari said she’s the legendary and queen of dancehall and her song never played in a party or dancehall 😂😂😂.”

Another wrote, “You can see the hurt in her eyes. The media builds us and hurts us.”

Others defended Tifa’s intentions and echoed her sentiment. 

“Unu miss d whooooole point a wa she say.”

“Well yaw fi believe ina u self before anyone else can👏👏.”

Another chimed in, “Nothing wrong with that. Always speak highly of yourself.”

There was a time when it was impossible to absorb local pop culture without mentioning Tifa.

She lived on billboards as corporate Jamaica’s sweetheart, and refreshed dancehall’s creativity with her lyrical virtuosity, versatility and fashion-forward visuals.

In September, she gave folks a friendly reminder of her extensive hit catalogue. Included in the trip down memory lane were the songs that catapulted her to fame in 2009: Crawny Gyal, Bottom of the Barrel and Spell It Out.

Tifa, undoubtedly, held her own on several male-dominated juggling rhythms, oftentimes releasing not just the biggest singles from a female on some popular rhythms, but overall. Circa her pulsating Move Your Body smash on ZJ Chrome’s 2010 Smokin’ rhythm; the must-play Dash Out on Ja Production’s 2011 Overproof rhythm; and her Big Bumper anthem on Birchill’s 2016 Moskato juggling.

She’s also scored memorable collabs, most notably Jealous Ova (2014) with Dexta Daps, but also Certified Diva (2010) with Tami Chynn, Swaggin’ WTF with Fambo and Wayne Marshall (2011), and Mr. Rastaman (2022) on Kabaka Pyramid’s Grammy-winning album.

Dancehall aside, Tifa has proven herself to be a real triple threat, bodying lanes as a deejay, singer and rapper. Singing Tifa has released sweet covers like Benny Mardones’ 1980 hit Into The Night (If I Could Fly) and original ballads like the sultry Inside Me. In her hip hop, crossover bag, she’s unleashed big records like Bak It Up, and rapped her tailfeather off on Lyrically Educated. 

These days, she’s adding her spin on Dave Kelly’s Bug rhythm, thanks to a forthcoming remake (Insects) by producer Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor.