Tanya Stephens Gangsta Blues Live 20th Anniversary album out July 19
TANYA STEPHENS
GANGSTA BLUES LIVE: 20th ANNIVERSARY
ALBUM RELEASE SET FOR JULY 19 VIA TAD’S RECORD/TUFF GONG INTERNATIONAL
For Immediate Release:
(Kingston, Jamaica) July 8, 2024
Acclaimed Jamaican singer-songwriter Tanya Stephens has announced the upcoming July 19 release of Gangsta Blues Live: 20th Anniversary via a joint venture between Tuff Gong International and Tad’s Record Inc. The beloved reggae songstress recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her landmark album Gangsta Blues with a live performance of the full tracklist, recorded in front of an audience at the SiriusXM studio in Miami Beach, FL. Initially broadcast on SiriusXM Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio, this historic concert — which included cameos from premier Jamaican talent like Spragga Benz and Kumar Fyah — was mixed and mastered into an album that is available to pre-save or pre-add now on all streaming platforms. Tanya gives her fans a sneak preview of the live set, making the project’s lead single, “It’s A Pity (Live)” available as an instant gratification offering. The 18-track album also includes a studio recording of Tanya’s previously released “Heart Of Stone” single with Taddy P.
PRE-SAVE/ADD GANGSTA BLUES LIVE: 20th ANNIVERSARY
AND LISTEN TO “IT’S A PITY (LIVE)”
“I’m feeling very proud that this child I birthed, not only survived the test of time, but thrived,” said Tanya of the anniversary package. “Performing the entire album was very emotional. What started as pages of a creative diary, became songs that people could relate to so well that they incorporated them in their diaries too! It makes me happy, and I’m very grateful because nobody is obligated to like any of it.”
And the people continue to love it. The humble, yet sharp-witted veteran treated an intimate gathering of 50 fans to live renditions of the songs that catapulted her status from dancehall ingenue to becoming recognized as one of the greatest storytellers to ever emerge from Jamaica. “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,” said Stephens as she addressed the crowd to kick off the special event. “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 attended by Cedella Marley, CEO of the Bob Marley Group of Companies, and emcee’d by DJ GQ, host of SiriusXM Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio show “Dancehall Cyaan Done,” which features a career-spanning conversation with Tanya in the latest episode premiering on Friday, June 12.
PHOTO CREDIT: IAN WITLEN/SiriusXM
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
About Tanya Stephens
Vivienne Tanya Stephenson known by her stage name Tanya Stephens, is a Jamaican reggae singer and deejay who 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.
About Tuff Gong International
Founded by cultural icon Bob Marley, Tuff Gong International is the legendary home of reggae music. The Jamaican born singer/songwriter’s life and music made a global impact that continues to influence pop culture to this day. Built under the stewardship of Rita Marley, Tuff Gong’s Kingston headquarters reflects their joint vision to use music as an instrument of inspiration and empowerment. The landmark compound includes a recording studio, music production, and distribution offices as well as the lone vinyl record pressing plant in the region. In addition to the flagship property at 220 Marcus Garvey Drive in Jamaica, Tuff Gong has now expanded its multimedia footprint to include Tuff Gong TV and a suite of channels on SiriusXM (Tuff Gong Radio, Tuff Soca, and Tuff Beats).
