Denise Belfon

Denise Belfon
Born
Denise Ann Sinoda Belfon
OriginTrinidad
GenreSoca
Years active1991–present

Denise "Saucy Wow" Belfon is a soca and R&B singer, songwriter and dancer.

Singing career

In 1990, Belfon was discovered by the bandleader of Roy Cape. She started singing professionally with the soca band Black Sheep, before moving on to Sound Revolution. Her first solo recording was the soca single "Ka Ka Lay Lay". Belfon went on to record the singles "Hard Wuk", "De Jammette", "Saucy Baby", "Indian Man", and "Work" (1999). "Work" was sampled in 2000 by New York house music duo Masters at Work, and has since been sampled in at least 20 more songs.

In 2022 a sample from "Work" was featured on the track "Lick" by Megan Thee Stallion and Shenseea, which peaked at number 20 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. Artist Drake sampled Belfon's vocals on the 2026 track "BBW". According to Belfon, Drake aided her to receive royalties for "Work" for the first time in 28 years. Also in 2026, "Work" charted on the UK Singles Sales Chart.

References

  1. ↑ "Beenie Man, Mad Dawg sizzle at Caribbean Wet Fete". The Jamaica Observer. 16 July 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2010. [dead link]
  2. ↑ "'Saucy' speaks to the BBC". BBC. 13 November 2010. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Davison, Phil (16 August 2004). "Some like it hotter". The Times. London. Retrieved 13 January 2010.[dead link]
  4. ↑ "Cultural encounter". The Hindu. 9 January 2007. Archived from the original on 24 January 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  5. ↑ DesFleurs, Zak (10 August 2017). "10 sounds that define modern club music – and the stories behind them". FACT Mag. London. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  6. ↑ https://www.whosampled.com/Denise-Belfon/Work/
  7. ↑ Jackson, Kevin (1 February 2022). "Welcome the 'Hotstepper'". Jamaica Observer.
  8. ↑ Denis, Kyle (August 4, 2026). "Trinidadian Soca Icon Denise Belfon Reveals How Drake Helped Her Receive Royalties From 'Work' for the First Time in 30 Years". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 14, 2026. Retrieved September 12, 2026.
  9. ↑ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (6 August 2026). "Soca Icon Denise Belfon Says Drake Helped Her Get Royalties for Sample Used on 'Maid of Honour'". Complex. Archived from the original on 20 October 2026. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "Chart history of WORK". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 October 2026.