Reggae songbird Nadine Sutherland has teamed up with the Billboard chart topping producer Rohan 'Jah Snowcone' Fuller for the saucy new single "Cougar". Cougar is a term coined by the American entertainment media to describe the phenomenon of mature, sexy women who are on the 'prowl' for attractive, virile younger men.

Interestingly, the single has taken off since its release this month with several disc jockeys playing the song. Notably, popular talk show host Dr. Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewarrt giving it several spins and

making it one of the juicy topics discussed in the 'Mix Up and Blenda' segment of his programme. The singles lyrics explore the relationship between older women and younger men, naming some famous Hollywood cougars, and touching upon some of our own stories of our Jamaican cougars.

"The response has been unbelievable so far. It seems to have touched a nerve with the Jamaican public, especially since I mentioned Ragashanti's name in the verse, they're loving it," an enthusiastic Nadine Sutherland said in a release.

Sutherland, who has been singing professionally since being signed by Bob Marley to Tuff Gong Records as an adolescent, has 
enjoyed a lengthy career as one of Reggae's most recognizable voices and she has scored chart-topping collaborations such as 1994's "Action" with Terror Fabulous, a combination rated as the #1 reggae duet of all time by Vibe magazine. And 
who can forget her brilliant vocals on "Anything for You" with Billboard topping Dancehall artist Snow, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Terror Fabulous, Louie Culture, and Kulcha Knox.

"We're in the process of planning a video for the single, and that should be quite interesting," she said.

Asked if she has had 'cougar cravings', she laughed and said:

"I am not a cougar yet. I mentioned specifically in the song that I wasn't because I didn't want to mislead the public, I am not a cougar yet, and I don't know if I will ever be but who knows what the future might hold?"

Sutherland also enjoys a wonderful stint as one of the judges on Jamaica's most popular televised talent search contest, Digicel Rising Stars, which has launched the careers of Christopher Martin and 2007 winner Romain Virgo.

In the meantime, the Cougar debate roars on, especially on talk show radio, with Ragashanti leading the charge.

"The listeners on his programme, and Mr Ragashanti himself, has thrown out publicly a request for Nadine to come on his programme, as the curiosity on her Cougar status is being questioned," manager Jade Lee said, laughing.

"However, the refrain of the song states that she is no cougar, but this has only piqued more interest. Nadine is a very spiritual person, it will be interesting to see how she responds. Cougar relationships are hot topics on the streets, and the c**ktail circuit. The song encourages confidence in women in all age groups, from a humorous and cutting edge perspective. Cougar rotation is increasing in the tri-state areas of America, in the reggae markets, and from all indications, Jamaica is loving it.