Marion Hall was born in the summer of 1972 in Galina, parish of Saint Mary. As a child she was a tomboy, sold fruits, and raced wooden karts. At the age of 15, she took the name Lady Saw after the famous Jamaican Deejay Tenor Saw, whose style she was said to emulate. She quit a sewing job at The Free Zone on the outskirts of Kingston;“That job wasn't for me”, she says. “I would deejay at work during the day.” to pursue music fulltime. She was soon signed to the then small Jamaican label VP Records (now a major label for many reggae artists). She debuted in 1994 with "Lover Girl". She was a guest vocalist on the Jermaine Fagan track, "Life" and it was this track that brought her vocals to the attention of a wider audience.
Hall is mother to three adopted children, two sons and one daughter.She touches on the issue in the lyrics of "No Less Than a Woman (Infertility)", a song from her 2007 album "Walk Out".
Lady Saw's first success began at the beginning of the 1990s. While lyrics about guns and masculine themes dominated the dancehalls of West Kingston, she sang sexually explicit lyrics, known as "slackness", from her perspective as a female. Recording for the local Diamond label, she released early hits like "If Him Lef" and "Stab Out de Meat", which was often met with mixed reaction by audiences. At that time, she also became known for her raucous stage shows, which usually included picking men from the audience (or sometimes her own band members) to pull on stage and to simulate sex acts with.
Due to her penchant for outspokeness and what was considered vulgarity, she was banned from many events due to her lyrics. Male contemporaries of Lady Saw were performing similar lyrics and stage shows, but as a female, Lady Saw endured censorship and even outright banning in more than a few Jamaican parishes. She continued to be outspoken though, and often addressed controversial topics such as unfaithful lovers, female degradation, and safe sex in the wake of the emergence of AIDS (with her single "Condom"). This song was featured on her second album "Give Me The Reason." Subsequent hits like "No Long Talking", "Sycamore Tree", and "Find a Good Man" further fueled her success as Jamaica's most prominent female deejay. These also were the first songs to gain exposure in the United States, especially in cities with large with Caribbean populations such as New York City and Miami.
Lady Saw has also collaborated with her male and female peers on several tracks: with Beenie Man on tracks such as "Healing"; with Sean Paul on "Bossman"; with her protege Dancehall vocalist Ce'Cile on "Loser"; and with long-time friend and peer, Tanya Stephens on "Bruck Dem Up"; as a guest on Papa Dee's "Hottie Hottie Girls". Two singles, "Still Convinced" and "Too Abusive", were mixed by music producers Soundism.[3] She has also worked with artists outside of the dancehall genre: Missy Elliott, Eve (rapper), Lil' Kim, Vitamin C and Foxy Brown. In 1999, Lady Saw released the album "99 Ways." The album features such popular songs as "Don't Even Stress Dat", "Hardcore Lover", "Money Money" & "99 Ways."
After a 6 year hiatus, in late 2004, she released Strip Tease. It has been called her most balanced and well-written album yet. "I've Got Your Man" had significant video and radio airplay in the U.S and peaked at #85 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart. The albums' second hit was "Loser" feat. Ce'Cile.
In 2005 she produced a version of Gregory Isaacs' Night Nurse with her toasting over the original lyrics.
In 2007, she released "Walk Out". The album debuted at number 8 on the Reggae Albums chart. The singles "Infertility" and "Chat To Mi Back" were well received. In 2010, Lady Saw released her eighth studio album, "My Way." The album was her first release on her own record label, Divas Records in partnership with Toasting Music. The albums' single was entitled "Party Til December."
In November 2012, Lady Saw announced that she was turning her back on dancehall and would be concentrating on Gospel music in future.
Baddest Girl
Lady Saw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Bad Girl)
Yuh Know Im bad right? Bad
(Bad Girl)
Everybody know Im bad
(Bad Girl)
Hey done know if yuh pass di place wi gonna get mad dont it
(Bad Girl)
(Chorus)
Im the baddest girl on the block
Tell em eediat bwoy dem a puff an relax yo
Lady Saw me a real toppa top I was born dis way so yuh know mi caan stop
(Bridge)
Uh mi a bad gyal
So dont try cross mi pack
Nah try draw mi out
Nah guh put mi to rack
Mi a mad gyal
So dont fly past mi nex
So eediat bwoy nah gyal caan jump inna mi chest
(Verse 1)
Mi family an mi man dem a mi first priority
So may we deepen bout a dem a true mi best ability
Nah beg nobody nutten
Cau mi bun charity
Lady Saw too rich an mi too bossy
Nah beg fi break fast
Nah give nobody ass
Dimly back inna mi radio betta move dem to
Ras a bun fire weh di fassy dem a try
If yuh dis Lady Saw yuh get boom bye bye
Cause
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
(Verse 2)
Watch it mek mi bruk it dung inna verse 2
Cau to win some sex dem dont have a clue
No matta dream whatta like a when a we inna do
Yuh nuh complish mi dream it neva easy fi do
No me caan access mi fan drip mi inna di bed
100 bushel
Buss more not less
Mek dem power up dem motor waan big up dem chest
Its obvious tell yuh
Its hard gi dem stress
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
(Verse 3)
An anodda ting
Juss listen to verse 3
To be Lady Saw its not easy fi mi
Dem waan cha fi di style an di personality
But Im still di bad gyal from St. Mary
If yuh tink I like den try step to mi
Whetha physically or
Lyrically
Try hurt mi pride an mi
Family
Den yu woulda bring out di dog inna mi
(Chorus x2)
(Bridge)
(Verse 1)
(Chorus x2)
(Outro)
Bad gyal fi years
(Bad girl)
Yuh done know nuh matta weh dem come wi nuh care
(Bad Girl)
The song "Baddest Girl" by Lady Saw is a powerful expression of her self-confidence and her position as a dominant force in the community. The opening lines assert her badness and her notoriety, warning anyone who might challenge her to think twice before crossing her. The chorus proclaims her status as the baddest girl on the block, a leader and a powerful woman who cannot be stopped. The bridge reinforces her position, warning others not to try to cross her, and asserting her power and her refusal to be controlled.
Throughout the verses, Lady Saw reinforces her independence and her strength, emphasizing that her family and her own abilities are her top priorities. She refuses to rely on charity, and demands respect and recognition for her accomplishments. She warns anyone who tries to challenge her that they will face serious consequences, whether physical or verbal.
Line by Line Meaning
Yuh Know Im bad right? Bad
Do you know that I am extremely skilled and confident?
Everybody know Im bad
I am renowned and famous for my talent and ability
Hey done know if yuh pass di place wi gonna get mad dont it
You already know that if you cross me, I will get angry
Im the baddest girl on the block
I am the most skilled and confident woman in this area
Tell em eediat bwoy dem a puff an relax yo
Inform those foolish boys to calm down and relax around me
Lady Saw me a real toppa top I was born dis way so yuh know mi caan stop
I am a true leader and top performer and I have this natural ability that I can't control
Uh mi a bad gyal
I am a tough, skilled woman
So dont try cross mi pack
Don't try to mess with my friends, family or support system
Nah try draw mi out
I won't engage in petty arguments
Nah guh put mi to rack
I won't allow anyone to defeat me or humiliate me
Mi a mad gyal
I am a strong and confident woman
So dont fly past mi nex
Don't try to provoke me or disrespect me
So eediat bwoy nah gyal caan jump inna mi chest
Foolish boys and girls can't easily become part of my inner circle
Mi family an mi man dem a mi first priority
My family and boyfriend are always my top priority
So may we deepen bout a dem a true mi best ability
That is why I always talk about them because they are my true strength
Nah beg nobody nutten
I don't beg or ask for anything
Cau mi bun charity
Because I don't support charity work
Lady Saw too rich an mi too bossy
I am too wealthy and confident to beg or seek help from anyone
Nah beg fi break fast
I don't beg for breakfast or anything
Nah give nobody ass
I won't offer my body in exchange for anything
Dimly back inna mi radio betta move dem to
My songs on the radio are enough to intimidate my competition
Ras a bun fire weh di fassy dem a try
I despise those who try to undermine me
If yuh dis Lady Saw yuh get boom bye bye
If you mess with me, you will face dire consequences
Watch it mek mi bruk it dung inna verse 2
Watch me show off my skills in verse 2
Cau to win some sex dem dont have a clue
Most people don't understand what it takes to succeed
No matta dream whatta like a when a we inna do
Regardless of how difficult my dream is, I will still pursue it
Yuh nuh complish mi dream it neva easy fi do
It's not easy to achieve my dream but I won't give up
No me caan access mi fan drip mi inna di bed
I am very selective about my partners and who I allow into my life
100 bushel
I am financially stable and wealthy
Buss more not less
I believe in working harder and achieving more
Mek dem power up dem motor waan big up dem chest
Let them boast and take pride in their accomplishments
Its obvious tell yuh
It's clear and obvious to you
Its hard gi dem stress
It's hard to stress or bother me
To be Lady Saw its not easy fi mi
It's not easy to be Lady Saw and succeed, but I will still try
Dem waan cha fi di style an di personality
People want to change my personality and style
But Im still di bad gyal from St. Mary
Despite everything, I am still the strong and confident girl from St. Mary
Whetha physically or
Whether it's a physical or
Lyrically
Or just in words
Try hurt mi pride an mi
If you try to hurt my pride and
Family
Family, I won't tolerate it
Den yu woulda bring out di dog inna mi
And you will see a fierce and aggressive side of me
Bad gyal fi years
I have been a tough and skilled girl for a very long time
Yuh done know nuh matta weh dem come wi nuh care
You already know that we don't care about anyone who opposes us
Contributed by Samuel F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mstzydeco
I went from got through crying to her new song and had to back it up with this.I love Lady Saw and Minister Marion.
@davinawalton9098
From England 2016 this song still kicks .
@Eusantdac
This can never get old! Big tune! Nothing but respect.
@platinumrubies85
This takes my back to carnival cruiseline the year before I graduated. Good times.
@DIANANAT
2023 And still listening forever the Queen !!
@louloubennett2989
Bad gyal bring on 2019 😚😚😚
@felipeherrera6194
You know babe 😉😁
@JoseVargas-fm2ff
Still loving it !!!!!! Blasting it June 2019 Who else????
@soundcheck2k7
Big up to all my Jamaicans and rest of the WEST INDIANS! People try to copy from our culture, but could NEVER reproduce it!! 🇯🇲 🇹🇹 🇬🇾 🇧🇧 🇱🇨 🇬🇩 🇩🇲 🇧🇿 🇰🇳 🇰🇾
@mok9785
Still the best female DJ ever!!!!