Rapper into dancehall

American rappers are being increasingly drawn to dancehall music. The latest is Bad Gal Shawnte from AC Money Records, a hip-hop artist/songwriter from Virginia who mixes up the game with her different reggae-inspired styles, sick raps, and that sexy bad-girl swagger.

She is featured in a couple of new videos such as The Girls Dem and Shorty Got Back for dancehall artiste AC Money.She also pops up on a few of AC Money's tracks on his album Dem Fi Know.

"I just love dancehall music - the beat, the flow, the rawness of it. It reminds me of early hip hop. It is just so powerful, raw, and unpolished," she said.

Shawnte isthe leading lady of the A Plus Ladies group and she has a diverse style of hip hop, rap, R&B, pop, and reggae. She started writing at age nine while singing and rapping with her best friend in school at talent shows and around their neighbourhood with friends.

Now, she is about to realise a lifelong dream with her first independent label release. "I am now working on my own debut album titled Bad Gal 4 Lyfe, which is set to drop this summer. It's gonna rock," she said in a release.

Bad Gal Shawnte is planning to do many features with many reggae artistes from all over to produce some fresh, new international hit songs for 2012. She just completed a music video for her new club Banger, So Seductive, which will be the first single off her debut album. It's a catchy song that all the sexy ladies can relate to.

"The new video just dropped this April and is doing very well so far. So look out for it coming soon to TV stations near you," she said

The listening public can look out for other singles such as Into You, Everywhere We Go, Living The Life, and Anytime You Want Me on her 13-track LP.