Critics of contemporary dancehall music usually point to a lack of sensuality among its artistes. Shav A hopes to change that perception with In Your Arms, a song produced by her G Shav Production.

The single was released in March and is about a woman longing to reconcile with her lover after a spat. With the dancehall field packed with bawdy female acts, Shav A feels songs like In Your Arms are needed to strike a balance.

“Fans will always want lovers rock and clean music. The world is diverse and reggae music is global so a lot of people out there still crave this type of music and appreciate us female artistes who are carrying on that authentic, reggae lovers rock vibe,” she said.

Most of the songs Shav A has done since she began recording 10 years ago project positiveness. They include Island Girl, covers of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song and J C Lodge’s Someone Loves You Honey and Fire Woman.

The latter salutes the resilience of women who thrive against the odds. Some of them are in the music business which is not easy pickings.

“It is tough in any market. However, when you have good products, good marketing strategy, a good team and consistency you can overcome any hitch. My career has been a big roller-coaster since the start, as I didn’t have the resources and enough support I needed, but now I can say I am headed in a much better direction,” she said.

Shav A (given name Shavanique Allen) has been around music for a long time. Her father is singer Admiral Tibet, a dancehall elder best known for songs like Leave People Business Alone and Serious Times.

In Your Arms is one of the initial songs produced and released by G Shav Production which she recently established.

Howard Campbell