Three decades after the release of her sophomore album Scent of Attraction, Patra remains one of dancehall’s most iconic voices — and one of its most successful female exports. The 1995 project, which followed her gold-certified debut Queen of the Pack, became the last dancehall album by a female artist to hit the Billboard 200 albums chart, a feat she admits “not even I have repeated.”
Today, Patra is in what she calls “the jump-off” — a new phase of her career marked by careful planning, top-tier collaborations, and tight production. “The jump-off is just a continuation of my career,” she explains. “It’s how I’ve done it before, but with an upgrade… I have all areas covered — the Caribbean, the USA, Europe, Africa — and I’m teaming up with some of the top producers from the UK and the United States.”
She’s also been busy with documentary work, music videos, strategic recording sessions and scoredarole in the HBO series Get Millie Black. “I’m so involved with my career now… I have to take my time and put a little something out for this year, and then fresh for the new year coming.”
The Making of Scent of Attraction
Coming off the global success of Queen of the Pack, Patra was determined to make her second album just as impactful. The title track, a sultry duet with R&B singer Aaron Hall, was a career highlight. “When they asked who I wanted to work with, I said Aaron Hall right away,” she recalls. “I wanted to bring something sensual… Once I heard his voice, it was exactly what I wanted.”
The album also featured her reinterpretation of Grace Jones’ “Pull Up to the Bumper,” a request from her label at the time. “It was the most diplomatically put-together x-rated song of a lifetime,” she says with a laugh. “I put my Jamaican part in it and made it my own.” Other collaborations included work with Christopher Williams, and recording sessions split between New York’s Hit Factory and studios in Jamaica.
Label Life and Industry Realities
Patra’s time on a major label taught her hard lessons. Signed in 1992 after a standout Sting performance, she experienced the full “album cycle” twice before parting ways with her label in 2003. That final project was, in her words, “more of a business transaction” to settle obligations.
Leaving the label brought both relief and difficulty. “When I got my release papers, I was so happy I jumped into the pool with my dress on,” she says. “But then came the stress — no family around, strangers everywhere… it was rough.”
Now, she’s in the process of regaining control of her masters, with the help of Kerry Gordy. Queen of the Pack is scheduled to revert to her next year, followed by Scent of Attraction the year after. “No one can use my songs without coming to me,” she says proudly.
On Today’s Dancehall
Patra acknowledges that no other female dancehall artist has matched her back-to-back chart success but sees growth in the number of women in the genre today. “When I was out, we had a certain amount of female artists — now there’s way more. That’s growth,” she says.
Her advice to the new generation is rooted in self-awareness and independence. “People think signing to a label makes you a superstar — no. You have to already know you’re a superstar and be ready to work. And when you leave with your dignity and your assets, that’s a big win.”
She’s also energized by the resurgence of veteran acts, particularly Vybz Kartel’s recent return. “It reminds me of when Shabba Ranks dominated the world,” she says. “The state of dancehall is re-energized. People are desperate for good music.”
What’s Next
Patra is weighing tour options in both the U.S. and Europe and exploring movie roles alongside her music plans. “The parents who knew me before are now telling their kids and grandkids,” she says. “It makes everything better.”
For Patra, this new chapter is about strategy, quality, and ownership — a far cry from the whirlwind of her early career. “I’m making sure I have the right connects,” she says. “This time, it’s on my terms.”
