Pamputtae Gives Seani B A Walk-Through Of Fletcher’s Land

During a recent walk-through of her Fletcher’s Land, west Kingston community, dancehall artist Pamputtae gave BBC 1Xtra host Seani B an inkling of the life of single mothers from vulnerable communities. 

The deejay, whose 2018 Single Mother track is quite autobiographical, was commended for supporting single mothers in the area while inspiring them to pursue their dreams despite the adversities. 

“A real single mother,” said one resident. “From yuh see she go out there, she want the youth dem fi do better.”

Adjectives like humble and genuine echoed over the microphone as Pamputtae’s neighbors preached blessings and success over her life, a fair wish considering her journey.

The entertainer recalled being a pregnant vendor downtown before her voice attracted mainstream attention on the intro of Tony Matterhorn’s 2006 hit Goodas Fi Dem. 

“One of the time, mi hear a voice seh, ‘Why yuh nuh kill yuhself? Yuh nuh see a you alone a struggle wid di two pickney dem?’, and mi run weh dah voice deh cause if mi did follow dah voice deh, mi wouldn’t do a collab with Nicki Minaj, so, mi know the struggle is real.”

She continued her testimony with days when she couldn’t afford food or maternity wear, even resorting to her grandmother’s clothes, “but to God be the glory.”

Tracking her musical career, Seani B highlighted that while Pamputtae never quite got that big, international break, she has had pockets of popularity and banging tunes to which she agreed. Her trajectory has drastically changed since being part of Nicki Minaj’s Fine Nine remix with Skeng in October. 

“(I’ve had) more interviews, more shows, and whole heap more people see me. International people, too, see the things and follow the thing and go look up pon Pamputtae and see all of the things weh mi been a do from back then til now…”

Among the sites passed were a shop operated by Ding Dong’s mother and Fletcher’s Land Square, home to popular dances like Dutty Fridaze. The spot also served as the destination for a BBC 1Xtra freestyle which saw Pamputtae performing Championship and a Fine Nine mashup with It Good and Ride It.