REGGAE artiste Tanya Stephens will not be appearing on this year’s staging of Pepsi Rebel Salute.

The artiste’s camp was recently made aware that her images and tracks were being utilised in advertisements for the upcoming January 15 show. However, according to reports, promoter of the event Patrick Barrett, known to fans as Tony Rebel, has not confirmed Stephens for the event.

A statement from Stephens’ camp notes that Tony Rebel had contacted Stephens’ manager, Andrew Henton, inquiring about the artiste’s schedule and if it could accommodate the Rebel Salute date. Henton told Barrett that Stephens would be available and thereafter sent a contract to Barrett’s camp on December 22, 2010. Upon sending the contract, no further discussion occurred between the two parties.

“The only thing that confirms an engagement is a contract, so when they didn’t contact us after, I assumed I wasn’t on the show. Am I to assume that I am booked for any and all shows people call my manager about yet do not call back to confirm and send a signed contract? Do I just show up at these events because they called to enquire?” questions Stephens.

She also says, “I am weary of the bad business practices in Jamaica. There is no misunderstanding. We didn’t have a discussion that I was booked for the show, neither did I sign a contract, yet I am being advertised and at the end of the day I get the bad rap when my fans do not know why I don’t appear on some of these shows. I am not here to teach Jamaican people how to do business, but they will know how to do business with Tanya Stephens. My issue goes far beyond Tony Rebel not having the gall to call back and confirm or do things the right way, the issue of following protocol in the Jamaican music industry is my problem.”

“I have an obligation to my fans to come out as Tanya Stephens and let them know it’s false; I will not be at the show,” she concluded.

In closing, Stephens was tight-lipped, yet guaranteed that fans would see her on one of their favourite local concerts soon. Throughout the years, Stephens has become internationally known for her wide array of musical masterpieces that consistently paint a vivid picture of the human condition. The artiste who was hailed by the Washington Post as one of Jamaica’s leading artistes, is known for hits including: Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet, Boom Wuk, It’s A Pity, These Streets and Cry and Bawl.