From left: Lady G, Raine Seville and Lady Saw

Roxroy McLean, Star Intern

As they go in search of establishing careers in music, female artistes say they are sometimes approached for sexual favours in order to guarantee their advancement in the industry. However, the women say that degradng one's self to get ahead should not be done.

For most upcoming female artistes, trading sexual intercourse for public recognition is what some male producers, promoters and engineers have guaranteed them, and should they fail to oblige, an immediate stall would be placed on their careers.

But, veteran deejay Lady G believes that it is degrading for women to throw themselves around with popular male figures in order to climb the musical ladder.

Born Janice Fyffe, Lady G told THE STAR, that it's easy for a female to detect the actions of males, who are only in it (music) for sexual pleasures

"You can tell which one is like that, without them saying a thing to you. Just by their actions, you'll sense what their true intentions are," Lady G said, while noting that certain females must also take responsibility.

"You have some females who will flirt and once that happens, you immediately send the wrong message. It's a natural thing for men to approach women on a sexual basis; it happens everywhere," she said.

Lady G, who has previously collaborated on several tracks with other male artistes, said she has no problem with two individuals getting personally involved, but she wouldn't consciously find herself in that kind of situation.

"I can understand if it's one partner. But, if she's going to throw herself around, there will be no respect. I myself wouldn't get involved in that situation," she said.

With just over a year in the business, dancehall singjay Raine Seville says she has been approached by men for sex.

career boosts

Seville, who was publicly introduced as DASECA'S first lady in 2008, has experienced a steady growth in her career. She admits that she has been approached by many of her male counterparts.

"Yea there are people in the industry who have tried after me but not necessarily promising me a career boosts," she said.

Seville agreed with Lady G's theory, saying that a woman who gets involved in such acts is of a low character.

"In my opinion, I think that they are weak and desperate. The ones doing it make it bad for us, and people will believe that every woman is like that," she said.

Popular music producer, Cordel 'Scatta' Burrell, confirmed that there are cases where males in the industry have promised female artistes advancement in their careers, if they were willing to interact with them on sexual terms.

"It does exist," he said. "There are always two sides to a story. If you know how to stand and hold your ground it will be better for you as a female. But, if someone wants to trade sex for the advancement of your career, then you can use that as a sign to know that that person isn't genuine," he said.

It is often the perception that a female artiste's hopes of getting public attention in an industry dominated by males, relies on lewd lyrics and raunchy displays. 'Queen of Dancehall' Lady Saw started out her career displaying a more bawdy character, and it propelled her to the top. Now, there are several other female artistes who seek to follow in her footsteps.

According to Burrell, this can be detrimental to the respect a female gets, because if she displays such a character, she is more likely to be targeted and preyed upon by her male counterparts.

"Females need to know that if they come off raunchy then they'll face these experiences. Often times men appraise you with the character of your lyrics," he said.