Patra, born Dorothy Smith in Kingston, Jamaica in 1972, was a trailblazer who shattered boundaries in reggae and dancehall music.
Raised in West Morland by extended family after losing her father at age three, Patra grew up tough—her four brothers taught her to fight for her place in a male-dominated world. Her cousin dubbed her “Cleopatra,” shortened to Patra, a name that would become synonymous with power and independence.
Patra’s rise began in the late 1980s as Lady Patra, bringing raw energy and unapologetic sexuality to dancehall. Her signature butterfly dance electrified crowds and scandalized conservatives. She refused to be a sidekick or decoration; she demanded respect and took control of her image and career.
In 1993, her collaboration with Shabba Ranks on “Family Affair” introduced her to American audiences, but she quickly moved beyond featured artist status. Her debut album, “Queen of the Pack,” hit number one on the reggae charts, with singles like “Worker Man” and “Romantic Call” breaking into the Billboard Hot 100 and dance charts. Patra made dancehall accessible to mainstream America while staying true to her Jamaican roots.
Despite her success, Patra faced constant challenges. The music industry’s sexism and double standards forced her to fight for every opportunity. Her aggressive, sensual style was revolutionary, but it also made her a target. In 1995, she released “Pull Up to the Bumper,” a remake of Grace Jones’s classic, and her second album, “Scent of Attraction,” which featured R&B singer Aaron Hall. Rumors swirled that Hall had sexually assaulted Patra during their collaboration—a traumatic event that reportedly soured her on the industry and led her to question the price of fame.
Patra continued to work, appearing on soundtracks and collaborating with other artists, but after the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., she stepped back from the chaos and violence of the music world. She returned in 2003 with “The Great Escape,” and again in 2005 with “Where I’ve Been,” showing artistic growth and maturity. But in April 2005, Patra was arrested on fraud charges in Montego Bay, accused of scamming musicians out of money for UK visas and social security cards. The scandal was devastating, damaging her reputation and forcing her to retreat from music once more.
Rather than let the scandal define her, Patra focused on spirituality and personal growth. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science, proving she was more than just a dancehall queen. In 2012, she returned to music with new singles and her album “Patra the Continuation,” reclaiming her narrative and refusing to let controversy overshadow her legacy.
Patra has always resisted being boxed into one genre, insisting she’s an artist who happens to be Jamaican. Her refusal to conform has sometimes worked against her in an industry obsessed with labels, but it’s also made her an icon of independence. She’s never married and has no children—a conscious choice to maintain control over her life and career.
Today, Patra remains active but selective, performing when and where she chooses. Her net worth is estimated between $1 and $3 million, earned on her own terms. She lives in Montego Bay, values privacy, and continues to inspire with her fierce confidence and sensuality. Patra’s legacy isn’t measured by streaming numbers or stadium tours; it’s in the doors she opened for women in dancehall and the example she set by surviving scandal, abuse, and industry politics without losing herself. The queen of the pack never breaks—she adapts, she survives, and she continues to live life exactly as she wants.
