“I’M ASHAMED AND DISAPPOINTED BY THE CLASH BETWEEN LADY SAW AND MACKA DIAMOND” REVEALS MARCIA GRIFFITHS!

Veteran reggae singer Marcia Griffiths addressing yesterday’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange. Griffiths, who is celebrating her 50th year in music this year, will perform this Thursday night at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. At right is Junior Taylor, associate producer of the festival—

THE vulgar display by female deejays Lady Saw and Macka Diamond at the 2013 staging of the one-night reggae show Sting in December has left one veteran reggae artist sorely disappointed.

Singer Marcia Griffiths, who celebrates her 50th anniversary in the music industry this year, in a rare comment on the state of the music business, noted that she is “turned off and disappointed” by what took place between the two females at Jamworld Entertainment Centre in Portmore, St Catherine during the early hours of December 27.

Griffiths says she feels a personal sense of disappointment in the display of the two artists.

“I am ashamed that I, as an elder in the business, who have inspired so many other women… it is a turn-off for me to see women go on stage and behave in that manner,” Griffiths stated at yesterday’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange.

Lady Saw and Macka Diamond slugging it out at Sting 30

“After all that work for 50 years you would say to yourself ‘you’re a role model and you set the pace, and you would like to know that the least you can do is show them certain things and the way you carry yourself. I don’t know why… it’s not for money, so what is it that would make women go on stage and exalt themselves in that manner?”

Griffiths says she has plans to have dialogue with both artists about their offensive performances and she hopes they will give her that listening ear.

“I am close to these sisters. Lady Saw is a favourite of mine. She is a very good friend and she is talented. I see Lady Saw as someone who will eventually end up in the church, regardless of what is happening. But sometimes you have to do your run… We can’t condemn anyone because you never can tell, tomorrow could be a different thing, we might see a different person. But I, personally, I am very, very turned off and disappointed,” said the singer known for hits such as Stepping Outa Babylon, Dreamland, Electric Boogie, and Fire Burning.

Marcia Griffiths 1974

Both Macka Diamond and Lady Saw spewed profanity during their ‘clash’ at the popular stage show. News of the showdown went viral and two days later Lady Saw apologised to her fans, noting that she was not pleased with her performance at the event.

Lady Saw claimed she was provoked into descending to that type of performance by what she deemed personal attacks being levied against her by fellow female artistes.

For her part, Macka Diamond conceded defeat, but noted she was not prepared for that level of performance from Lady Saw and came to the stage prepared for a lyrical clash which did not materialise.

Griffiths kicks off the celebrations for her golden anniversary this Thursday at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Trelawny.