5 Questions With Tifa

Catchy hits, high-energy performances and an unmistakable stage presence have long been part of dancehall artiste Tifa’s signature. At her recent Dream Weekend debut at YUSH in Montego Bay, the Wife Me Up diva gave partygoers a trip down memory lane with live renditions of favourites including Big Bumper, Spell It Out, Dash Out and Jealous Ova. Now gearing up for her next major local performance at Beenie Man’s Summer Sizzle in Clarendon this weekend, Tifa is promising fans another high-energy set filled with familiar favourites and a few surprises.

“I’m really excited about Summer Sizzle! It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to. I always want my performances to feel like an experience, so I’m coming ready to entertain, have fun and represent for the ladies. Just come ready to sing, dance and have a good time with me!” she told The Gleaner.

With Summer Sizzle up next before she heads back on the road, Tifa has plenty more in store, including performances across the United States, Europe, Japan and Africa. Earlier this week, she released her Party With Tifa mixtape, featuring a mix of fan favourites and newer songs, with the project mixed by Germany-based Trigga Happy Sound. In this edition of 5 Questions With ..., the artiste talks about her Dream Weekend debut, her latest mixtape, the dancehall era she’d love to see return and the simple pleasures she enjoys away from the spotlight.

1. The YUSH crowd was fully engaged during your performance at Dream Weekend. What was that experience like for you?

You know what’s crazy? As much as I’ve been to Dream Weekend a lot, and I’ve been invited to come down, this is actually my first time performing in all my years. It’s a great energy, though it was a bit low in the beginning, but I had my task and, you know, I lifted it and did what I needed to do.

2. This was your first time performing at Dream Weekend, as well as the event’s first staging in Montego Bay. What was that like?

Oh my God! We both took our virginities! (Laughs) As I said before, it was my first time performing at Dream Weekend, so it felt really special to be part of its Montego Bay debut. The energy was amazing, and I think Montego Bay really embraced the event. So it was definitely a memorable first for both of us.

3. Are you currently working on any projects?

Not exactly, but I [recently] releas[ed] a mixtape called Party With Tifa. It’s a great mix of some of my old favourites that fans know and love, along with some newer songs, so there’s definitely something for everyone. What makes it even more interesting is that the mixtape was mixed by Trigga Happy Sound, all the way from Germany. So I’m excited to share this project with my fans and hopefully introduce it to some new listeners as well. I think it’s the perfect soundtrack for a good time!

4. What’s one trend from the 2000s that you’d like to bring back?

The dancing era! I want to bring back the era when we used to go to parties, and everybody was sweating and dancing. Everybody knew the dances, and it wasn’t some complicated TikTok choreography that only a few people knew. Everybody participated. Everybody [did] a Signal di Plane, everybody [did] a Dutty Wine, and you could look across the dance floor and see everybody moving together. I’d love to see that kind of energy come back because it was just fun, carefree, and everybody was involved.

5. What is one thing about Tifa that might surprise people?

I really enjoy the ordinary things. People might expect me to always be doing something glamorous or exciting, but one of my favourite things to do is actually grocery shopping. I enjoy those simple, everyday moments. Sometimes it’s the most ordinary things that make me happy.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com