CNW90 interview: Marion Hall to leave Lady Saw behind
Garth A. Rose
For those who think Marion Hall’s recent Christian transformation from the reigning Dancehall Queen persona Lady Saw is a fleeting fancy, they are totally mistaken – says the newly committed Christian. Fresh from her premiere performance as a gospel singer this past weekend at the One Love in the Park concert in Lauderdale Lakes, speaking in an exclusive interview with the National Weekly, the born-again Christian Marion Hall assured that Lady Saw’s transformation was real, and that she’s leaving Lady Saw behind.
Reluctant at first to be interviewed, wanting to “focus on the peace I’m feeling through the Lord” she eventually relented, but stressed we were speaking with Marion Hall, as “Lady Saw is done and gone, never to return.”
Growing up in St. Mary, Jamaica, Hall said she was influenced by the Church and her great grandfather’s wife – Aunt Linda, who showed her “God’s power.” At age 11, she was first baptized in the Seven Day Adventist faith under the guidance of her father, but “didn’t really understand Christianity” for herself.
Falling in love with music as a young girl, Hall began performing early, singing and dancing for friends and family members. Influenced by dancehall singers like Sister Nancy, she ventured into the professional music world, and before long was the genre’s leading star.
But surprisingly, Hall confessed that although she made “good money” as an entertainer, she never enjoyed the ride.
“I used to return to my hotel or home after a performance and bawl, asking the Lord to forgive me for the words I was using and my behavior on stage.” Through 25 years in the business, she often wanted to quit, but “the devil wouldn’t let go of me.”
“Lady Saw was really a cover,” says Hall now, looking back. “She wasn’t who I really am. Lady Saw was on a mission to save her family, mother and siblings from the wicked ghetto, and improve their lives. Lady Saw helped a lot of people, but Marion Hall wasn’t happy.”
Lady Saw through the years
She said three years ago, while praying in her bathroom in Jamaica, she felt the Lord calling her to change her life, “but forces I couldn’t control pulled me back.”
She heard the call again last December when she attended the funeral of young dance hall artist, J Capri, who was tragically killed in an accident. As she saw the casket, says Hall, she thought that could be her, and the prayers and hymns pushed her to finally change her life. Days later, she was baptized at the Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Cross Roads.
“After all this time, it was so easy, so peaceful, to give my life to the Lord,” says Hall. “I can honestly tell you, there’ll be no going back to dancehall. I don’t even want to think dancehall. Some people think I’ll go back because of the fame and money, but I no longer need fame. And if I am hungry, God will feed me. I love this peace I am feeling. There’s nothing like this peace that comes from God.”
Hall says she wants to sing gospel, be a missionary and a minister, “but I am waiting on God to direct me. It’s His call.” She does know that she’s keen on ministering to abused women. “One of my missions, with God’s help, is to save young girls from sexual abuse. That’s really a bad situation.”
Regarding her premiere gospel performance in South Florida, Hall says she was so pleased the audience received her so well. With a new gospel track “Dash Holy Ghost” just released, Hall says she also plans to follow up with a full gospel album shortly.
“God gave me a gift to sing and I am going to sing for him every day to praise him, not for fame or money.”
