Stefflon Don Talks Jamaican Roots, Her Buju Banton Connection And How She Uses Womanhood To Her Advantage

With over one billion streams across music platforms, Stephanie Victoria Allen aka Stefflon Don is the most successful female contemporary rapper/Dancehall DJ from the UK.

She code-switches effortlessly, often showcasing her Jamaican roots and enduring mic skills in her music videos. Her aggression, witty lyrics, and ability to make hit songs gained her success in the music industry in multiple genres.  In just 5 years, she has demonstrated that she is a cut above the rest having won a Mobo Award, NME Award, was nominated for a BET Award and she was added to the European Entertainment Category of Forbes 30 under 30 list. The Don has worked with many Billboard charting singers from Mariah Carey, Sean Paul, Big Sean and her top ten UK Hit Hurting Me with French Montana has almost 200 million views on YouTube.

In this interview, we talk about her Jamaican roots, her Buju Banton connection, how she uses womanhood to her advantage, and whether or not she is the “Beyonce of her family”.

Hi Stefflon, Wassup, how are you doing?

I am very good thank you.

I remember seeing you for the first time when Ebro posted you, so beautiful, aggressive and potent. Where are you from?

I was born in England but my parents were born and raised in Jamaica and I still have sisters and brothers living in Jamaica.

What’s your Buju Banton connection, I noticed you were one of the few foreign artists on his show.

I actually knew someone that knew him. When he was incarcerated I used to send my love and I feel like because he knew I used to do that, so he just felt like a certain respect level was there and he said he really liked my stuff and wanted me on his album so he reached out.

And you did a good song on his album and I loved your performance at his show, but I also like your freestyle performances with a bunch of people behind you. It seems like you will rock any house, why is that your signature style?

I feel like as a creative when I am creating it is more effective when more people are involved. I bring people together with my creation. If you are listening to my music in a car or at home I want you to get the same vibe when you hear the song.

What’s ‘Daily Duppy’?

It’s a show called Grime Daily on YouTube. They get artists to come on the channel. They stand up by a mic and a lot of UK artists get on that platform to display their skills and show people what they do.

Dutchavelli is your brother. I discovered him on Daily Duppy.

Yes, He is.

Have you done a collaboration with him?

We got a couple hits coming for the streets.

I notice you are the Beyoncé of your family, are you from a musical family?

(Laughs) I wouldn’t say I am the Beyoncé of my family but I do come from a musical family. All my brothers and sisters all have some involvement in music.

Do you find it harder as a woman in the industry?

Not at all. I always used being a woman at my advantage. It’s the people’s choice and most people that turn up to shows are women so being a woman I stand out. So I do use being a woman to my advantage.

Thank you so much Stefflon Don.

Thank You!

For the full conversation listen to Stefflon Don episode of World Music Views Podcast on Apple and Spotify.