The mastermind behind Skillibeng's '50 Bag' is carving her path in a male-dominated industry, breaking barriers and dreaming of leaving her mark
Jamaican music producer Latifah 'TifahTheQueen' Fletcher
TifahTheQueen is a multi-talented Jamaican music producer who has defied expectations and carved out a distinct niche in the music industry. Recognized for producing Skillibeng's early hit "50 Bag," she quickly solidified her reputation, yet her influence reaches far beyond that.
Born Latifah Tafari Fletcher in Jamaica, Tifah is a self-taught audio engineer, graphic designer, clothing designer, instrumentalist, and leading producer. Her journey is a testament to determination, creativity, and the power of self-belief. With a strong educational background, Latifah embodies a world of possibilities as a multifaceted talent.
Tifah’s passion for music started early, but it was only when she began creating her own sound that she found her true calling. “My inspiration stemmed from being a music lover who wanted to experience music 'My Way,'” she shared. Inspired by DJs and their mashups, Tifah started making beats in her dorm room in 2018, practicing daily until she felt ready to share her work. This dedication led to the creation of the “50 Bag Riddim” in 2019, which marked the moment she knew music could be her career.
The release of the “50 Bag Riddim” marked Tifah’s official entry into the music industry, and it quickly garnered attention, particularly from Jamaican dancehall star Skillibeng. "He loved the crossover sound it gave to his fan", she elaborated. "Ultimately, based on our newfound connection Skillibeng and I decided to release a few more tracks after '50 Bag'".
Their collaboration on this project opened the door to more opportunities, including tracks like “Scary” and “Cya Stop Us,” the latter being featured on Skillibeng’s first album, The Prodigy.
Balancing her education with a rising music career has been one of Tifah’s key accomplishments. "I had to make a decision on how I was going to merge the two,” Latifah explained. Initially aiming to be a medical doctor specializing in geriatric care, she added, "COVID actually gave me the space and time to explore my musical talents to the fullest."
Building her own supportive team
This educational foundation has equipped her with the tools to navigate the business side of the music industry successfully.
As a female producer, Tifah has encountered unique challenges in an industry often dominated by men. “Most challenges I’ve encountered is just working with lots of unprofessional people,” she notes. Despite this, her commitment to building a supportive team and fostering genuine collaboration has been key to overcoming these obstacles. "It’s like the energy and love for our genre is declining, which is why I intentionally built a team around the necessities we need to educate, inspire, and grow the label into a successful business model," she explained.
Despite living abroad, Tifah emphasizes that distance has never hindered her career. “Distance from yard has never been an issue for me; it's been seamless. It’s like I never left [Jamaica]. So, big up to the ones who keep TifahTheQueen Records afloat and active,” she proudly declared.
Tifah, combining her diverse passions to leave a lasting mark. (Photo: Snapx)
In today’s music industry, many producers are focused on generating as many views and streams as possible. However, Tifah believes in the importance of diversifying revenue streams. “There are at least 8 different ways a producer can generate multiple streams of income to eliminate the desperate demand for streams only,” she advised. "From selling merchandise, creating sample packs and presets, royalties, collaborations/features, sync licensing, writing/producing, mixing & mastering just to list a few", Tifah emphasizes the need for producers to build a solid community around their work, rather than relying solely on the streaming number.
Tifah remains optimistic about the future of dancehall and the new generation of artists. She is currently involved in several projects, including a track titled “Body” by Konsoull, an artist she manages, set for release on August 23, followed by 'Lost', which is co-produced with Jae Gxd. "My next project will be a bit different from what I have been known for over the years. Trust me, it’s going to be something," she teased, hinting at her upcoming collaborations with prominent artists. Among them is Cidigi, another talented artist she manages, about whom she confidently stated, "He’s going to be a game changer."
Looking ahead, Tifah has her sights set on collaborating with a diverse range of artists, both locally and internationally. Her dream list includes names like Iba Mahr, Masicka, Popcaan, Chris Brown, Mustard, and Missy Elliot, among others. With her talent, drive, and vision, Tifah TheQueen is undoubtedly poised to achieve even greater heights in her career.
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