Lady Ann Defends Spice’s Public Donation To Sister Charmaine’s GoFundMe, Slams Those Accusing Her Of ‘Obeah’
Veteran Dancehall artiste Lady Ann is defending deejay Spice, who received backlash for not donating anonymously to the GoFundMe account created to assist with funeral expenses for Dancehall toaster Sister Charmaine.
Spice, whose real name is Grace Hamilton, appears as a donor on the page, contributing US$1000 of the $20,000 goal. The donation was picked up by several social media users who criticized Spice for not hiding her identity. Spice and another donor are the only persons to have donated that amount. Up to press time, less than $9000 was raised.
Lady Ann, who was a close friend of Sister Charmaine, clapped back at the Spice critics in an Instagram Live this afternoon.
“If Spice weh come after we inna di business come and she donate, is a good look…” she said.
“If Spice did even donate $10 we still appreciate it cause you know why? She still better than the rest a dem weh inna di industry… Ask di rest a dem how much dem put…call di rest a di female dem from my time to Charmaine time and ask dem how much dem donate…”
“Give Spice some credit, she never haffi donate anonymous, fi wah? She work hard for har money and she give some fi help bury Charmaine and we thankful. The rest a dem no do nothing. Di rest a dem just go do interview fi promote dem owna things. Big up yourself Spice, you better than the rest Spice, me Lady Ann, the first lady a dancehall a endorse yuh.”
The “do interview” bit is no doubt shade to Macka Diamond, who appeared on OnStage over the weekend (likewise Lady Ann) to talk about her birthday party, career, clothing line, and Sister Charmaine’s death and legacy. Lady Ann claimed the artiste showed no remorse for her friend’s sudden passing last week, but Macka declared that everyone grieves differently.
Lady Ann also hailed Tanya Stephens and unnamed male veteran singers who have donated.
Sister Charmaine’s financial tale is similar to many of her time. Artistes were more eager to make music and be megastars than secure proper contracts and monitor royalty payments.
“Mi inna di music industry before Charmaine and when mi come inna di music, when mi a come overseas fi do one show a US$150 me get, when mi a do a show a Jamaica a JMD$300 mi a get and we tek it because we never understand the business and we never did a run dung di money part a di business, we did love the thing and tek it for fun,” said Lady Ann.
“Charmaine didn’t left no will, Charmaine didn’t die left anything, she didn’t have anything fi left because dem rob har (of) everything. Now Spice come forth now as a younger girl weh just come inna di music donkey years after we and hear bout Sister Charmaine death and she donate her money…”
‘Obeah’ Accusations
Lady Ann had more to get off her chest in her defense of Spice. The Informer deejay called out those throwing shade at Spice for practicing obeah to succeed in music, an allegation which started following various claims made by spiritual advisor Nardo ‘RT Boss’ Smith last month. The allegations have inspired Macka Diamond’s latest release, Set Me Free, which is believed to be aimed at Spice.
“Di whole a dem a talk bout obeah and Spice a wuk obeah. Unno pray mi nuh come forth enuh…a just true my daughter inna my skin, cause any how my daughter never under my skin all di whole a unno a talk and a jump up like a Spice alone a wuk obeah, di whole a we bloodcl–t wuk obeah, di whole a bloodcl**t we go obeah man…so unno stop gwaan like true RT run out and a done Spice like Spice a di bad one alone. Di whole a we guilty…”
She added, “Memba unno help obeah Charmaine too enuh, memba enuh, unno forgot seh unno go a obeah woman fi Charmaine?”
Sister Charmaine passed away in her sleep on January 5. The veteran’s funeral is set for January 16 and the viewing of her body will unfold at the Crawford Memorial Methodist Church in the Bronx, USA, from 12 noon to 1 p.m.