Queen Ifrica joined the Flames Production camp in 1998 when, at a show in honour of the late Garnett Silk, Tony Rebel hearing the clean vocals and the unmistakable quality of her performance, asked her to join the Flames camp. Since then, she has worked her way up to being one of the premier female cultural reggae artists in the business. Queen’s stage craft, her repertoire, and her total artist development have bloomed over the years, ultimately making her into a staple in cultural reggae events around the world.
Queen has had several of her recordings become a staple on the airwaves, from the ever popular “Randy” to “Boxers and Stockings”. Queen Ifrica’s music resonates with conscious, purifying energy. She remains grounded in her way of life, her community and her children. She has a strong social consciousness, supporting her words with actions by being an active participant in several community outreach activities. Included in this is her work on the Committee for Community in the heart of Kingston’s inner-city, particularly the S-Corner community in Kingston 13. The United Nations’ celebration of the Year of the Volunteers in 2001 saw her teaming with Tony Rebel and others to deliver a song recognized by the United Nations as a gem.
With her haunting melodies, clear sound and fluid delivery, Queen Ifrica sets out to be a force to be reckoned with, creating timeless rebel music in the ilk of her father Derrick Morgan, Garnett Silk, Nina Simone and Miriam Mackeba. Her aspiration is to make music that lives on.
Welcome To Montego Bay
Queen Ifrica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the west of an island there is a parish i know
I am the one to tell yuh cause that's where i grow
Nuf money deh deh but eeh juss nah show
Tourism a florish while to ghetto dem a perish
No No no, free up di ting weh gi wi more pon more
Granville to Tucka nuh lef out Pitfore
Sam Sharpe Square nah deal wid fair
Oooh
A near Westmoreland dat
Welcome To Montego Bay
Salem Flankas...
Welcome To Montego Bay
Children naah nuh weh fi play
Welcome To Montego Bay
People fed up in every way
Welcome To Montego Bay
Verse 2
Mobay need a public park
Decorate wid flowers weh wi family go walk
Clean up di garbage outa di city
Di public facilities fi more sanitary
A bigger stand Teata very necessary
Where is di futcha fi di yutes mi nuh si any
But mi notice di gunshot a buss many many
Tink a lie den go ask major LLoyd ar Lenny
When last unuh clean out di drain inna gully
Duh tell nuh lie iyan station wi bun eeh
Wi very frendly but ah nuh all a wi funny
Tell mi why di vendaz nah mek nuh money
Eeeh
Ah near grange Hill dat
Welcome To Montego Bay
Glendevon, Salt Spring
Welcome To Montego Bay
Tourist come deh everyday
Welcome To Montego Bay
All inclusive dem a stay
Welcome To Montego Bay
Verse 3
Free up di tourist dem outa di hotel
Mek di people dem ina di craft markit get fi sell
Low dump-up beach fi di poor people dem
Show Mobay some luv unuh stop from preten
Saint James Street narrow like trench
Nose haffi caaulk up cawn tek di stench
A fiyah muma place suh wi haffi represent
Lang time wi a suffa mek wi mek a statement
Wish part
A near Falmut dat
Welcome To Montego Bay
Cantaberry, Swine Lane
Welcome! Welcome!
Repeat Verse 1 (to Chorus)
Ah nuh far from Negril dat
Welcome To Montego Bay
Ah near Grange Hill dat
Welcome To Montego Bay
Ooohhh ooohhhooo
Welcome To Montego Bay
Eeeehhh eeehhhheeee
Welcome To Montego Bay
Ooohhh ooohhhooo
Welcome To Montego Bay
Eeeehhh eeehhhheeee
Welcome To Montego Bay
Salem Flankas...
Welcome To Montego Bay
Children naah nuh weh fi play
Welcome To Montego Bay
People fed up in every way
Welcome To Montego Bay
Fix up di second city
Welcome To Montego Bay
Because di livin nuh pretty
Welcome To Montego Bay
More fun less gun
Welcome To Montego Bay
Caawn dun
Welcome To Montego Bay
Yeaaah yeaaaah
The lyrics of Queen Ifrica's "Welcome to Montego Bay" are a call for change and action to improve the living conditions of the people of Montego Bay, Jamaica. In the first verse, Queen Ifrica talks about the wealth disparity in the area, with much of the money from tourism not benefiting the local communities. There is also a call for rebellion against this situation, with the singer stating that they will continue to fight until there is change.
The second verse calls for improvements in public spaces and facilities, specifically a public park and cleaner streets. Queen Ifrica further emphasizes the lack of opportunities for youth in the area, highlighting the issue of gun violence. In the final verse, the singer urges for greater support for local businesses and a better distribution of resources.
Overall, the song is a powerful message of hope and resilience in the face of socioeconomic challenges. It portrays the beauty of the region and its people while calling for positive changes to make life better for all.
Line by Line Meaning
In the west of an island there is a parish i know
I am very familiar with a parish on the western side of the island.
I am the one to tell yuh cause that's where i grow
I am knowledgeable about this parish because it is where I grew up.
Nuf money deh deh but eeh juss nah show
There is plenty of money in the parish but it is not being put on display.
Tourism a florish while to ghetto dem a perish
While tourism is thriving in the area, many people in the ghetto are struggling.
No No no, free up di ting weh gi wi more pon more
We need to liberate the things that will give us more for the future.
Granville to Tucka nuh lef out Pitfore
Areas like Granville, Tucka, and Pitfore should not be left behind in the growth and development of the parish.
Sam Sharpe Square nah deal wid fair
The Sam Sharpe Square is not dealing with fairness.
Suh rebel wi a rebel til unuh draw new gear
We will continue to rebel until changes are made for the betterment of the people.
Mobay need a public park
The town of Mobay needs a public park.
Decorate wid flowers weh wi family go walk
It should be decorated with flowers so families can take walks there.
Clean up di garbage outa di city
The garbage needs to be cleaned up from the city.
Di public facilities fi more sanitary
The public facilities need to be more sanitary.
A bigger stand Teata very necessary
A larger stand is necessary for Teata.
Where is di futcha fi di yutes mi nuh si any
I do not see any plans in place for the futures of the youths in the area.
But mi notice di gunshot a buss many many
Unfortunately, gunshots can be heard frequently in this area.
Wi very frendly but ah nuh all a wi funny
While we are friendly, not everyone should be taken lightly or for granted.
Tell mi why di vendaz nah mek nuh money
I am wondering why the vendors are not making any money.
Free up di tourist dem outa di hotel
The tourists should be freed from the hotels and given the chance to explore the craft markets.
Mek di people dem ina di craft markit get fi sell
The people in the craft market should be given a fair chance to sell their goods.
Low dump-up beach fi di poor people dem
The dump-up beach should be accessible to the poor people in the area.
Show Mobay some luv unuh stop from preten
Let us show love to Mobay and stop pretending that everything is alright when it is not.
Saint James Street narrow like trench
Saint James Street is very narrow and cramped.
Nose haffi caaulk up cawn tek di stench
We have to cover our noses from the terrible stench.
A fiyah muma place suh wi haffi represent
This is a place where issues are fiery and we must speak up and represent ourselves.
Lang time wi a suffa mek wi mek a statement
We have been suffering for a long time and it is time to make a statement.
Fix up di second city
We need to fix up the second city.
Because di livin nuh pretty
The living conditions are not pretty and need to be dealt with.
More fun less gun
We need to have more fun and less guns in our area.
Caawn dun
Let us get it done.
Ah nuh far from Negril dat
This place is not far from Negril.
Ah near Grange Hill dat
It is also near Grange Hill.
Welcome To Montego Bay
Welcome to Montego Bay!
Salem Flankas...
Salem Flankas...
Children naah nuh weh fi play
Children do not have safe places to play.
People fed up in every way
The people are fed up with their situation in every way.
Glendevon, Salt Spring
It is near Glendevon and Salt Spring.
Tourist come deh everyday
Tourists come to visit every day.
All inclusive dem a stay
The tourists are staying in all-inclusive resorts.
Eeeehhh eeehhhheeee
Eeeehhh eeehhhheeee.
Ooohhh ooohhhooo
Ooohhh ooohhhooo.
Wish part
Which part?
Cantaberry, Swine Lane
It is also near Cantaberry and Swine Lane.
Welcome!
Welcome!
More pon more
More and more
Contributed by Cooper R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.