News Americas, New York, NY, July 23, 2024: Acclaimed Jamaican singer-songwriter Tanya Stephens has released “Gangsta Blues Live: 20th Anniversary” on all digital platforms, through a joint venture between Tuff Gong International and Tad’s Record Inc.
Tanya Stephens performs live at the Tuff Gong studios. (PHOTO CREDIT: IAN WITLEN/SiriusXM)
This release commemorates the 20th anniversary of her landmark album “Gangsta Blues” with a live performance of the full tracklist, recorded in front of a studio audience at SiriusXM in Miami Beach, FL. Initially broadcast on SiriusXM Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio, the historic concert has now been mixed and mastered into an album featuring some of Stephens’ biggest international hits like “It’s A Pity (Live),” “Boom Wuk (Live),” and “Little White Lie (Live).” The album also includes cameos from premier Jamaican talents like Spragga Benz and Kumar Fyah on “Gangsta Gal (Live)” and “This Is Love (Live),” respectively. The 18-track set also features a studio recording of Tanya’s previously released single “Heart Of Stone” with Taddy P.
Listen to ‘Gangsta Blues’ here
Always dedicated to her loyal fans, the beloved reggae songstress has also shared a “Behind The Scenes” video on the Tuff Gong TV YouTube channel. The clip offers an insider’s glimpse into the event, including exclusive footage of soundcheck, the green room, and culminating in Stephens’ powerful performance of the fan favorite, “It’s A Pity (Live).”
“It has been so emotional because this was like therapy for me,” Stephens revealed in a personal message to her fans. Speaking about the album, she added, “It’s my philosophy. It’s my everything. It was my coming of age. I grew up in front of you guys. Thank you very much for being such good parents. Look how I turned out. You should be very proud! You should either be very proud or very ashamed,” she joked. “But either way, we made it this far and I really am so grateful. Thank you guys, I love you so much.”
The intimate gathering of 50 fans at the live recording session was a testament to the enduring love for Stephens. The veteran artist performed live renditions of the songs that elevated her status from a dancehall ingénue to one of Jamaica’s greatest storytellers. “So we’re here to celebrate, and I just want to say my heartfelt thanks to Tuff Gong Radio and SiriusXM for celebrating with me,” Stephens addressed the crowd. “Words can’t express what this means, so I’m not gonna talk too long. I’m just gonna get into it.”
The exclusive performance was also attended by Cedella Marley, CEO of the Bob Marley Group of Companies, and hosted by DJ GQ, the host of SiriusXM Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio show “Dancehall Cyaan Done.” The latest episode of the show features a career-spanning conversation with Tanya Stephens and is available to stream on the SiriusXM app.
Born Vivienne Tanya Stephenson but known by her stage name Tanya Stephens, the Jamaican reggae singer and deejay emerged in the late 1990s. She is most known for her hits “Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet” and “It’s a Pity,” for which Stephens achieved international recognition. Stephens has released 10 studio albums to date, including the critically-acclaimed Gangsta Blues and Rebelution, as well as her most recent full length project, Some Kinda Madness.
GANGSTA BLUES LIVE: 20th ANNIVERSARY TRACKLIST:
INTRO (LIVE)
WAY BACK (LIVE)
BOOM WUK (LIVE)
DAMN (LIVE)
GOOD RIDE (LIVE)
LITTLE WHITE LIE (LIVE)
IT’S A PITY (LIVE)
TEK HIM BACK (LIVE)
I AM WOMAN (LIVE)
THIS IS LOVE (LIVE) [FEAT. KUMAR FYAH]
GANGSTA GAL (LIVE) [FEAT. SPRAGGA BENZ]
WHAT’S YOUR STORY (LIVE)
CAN’T BREATHE (LIVE)
SOUND OF MY TEARS (LIVE)
THE OTHER CHEEK (LIVE)
WHAT A DAY (LIVE)
WE A LEAD (LIVE)
HEART OF STONE
Save 50.0% on select products from HCYJkluc with promo code 50MBLHAJ, through 7/14 while supplies last.
