DANCEHALL artiste, author and actress Macka Diamond is today reaping the rewards of her hard work.

Born Charmaine Munroe, the artiste formerly known as Lady Mackerel entered the music industry more than two decades ago, and has become one of dancehall’s female trail-blazer.

A past student of Holy Childhood High, Macka says there were times when she would skip classes to entertain her friends and practise her vocal skills.

As Lady Mackerel, the artiste encountered many setbacks, but used them as building blocks to stardom. In 2003, she decided to rebranded herself, giving birth to ‘Macka Diamond’.

Macka Diamond came with a more lyrical, aggressive and controversial approach. Tek Con was Macka’s counteraction to controversial Vybz Kartel’s hit single at the time. Dun A’reddy, Bun Him (a collaboration with Black-Er), Think Mi Easy, Lexxus and Benz, Hulla Hoop, and Tink Bout Mi (a collaboration with Unicorn) are just a few of her singles that have rocked airwaves.

Dubbed as the ‘Money Goddess’ of Dancehall, Macka Diamond is the author of the books Bun Him, Gangster’s Wife and Grown and Sexy.

Macka Diamond, also an actress, co-stars in the movie Redemption of Paradise.

Her recent single Cowfoot is rotating on the local and international airwaves and a few weeks ago the singjay shot the video for the single, which features dancers Shelly Belly — the Cowfoot dance creator — MOB and Bermuda squad, Latisha and Future Fambo among others.

With a host of international tours under her belt, Macka Diamond told TEENage that she is extremely happy with the direction that her career is heading, and the world should anticipate even greater things from the ‘Money Goddess’.