Hey! What inspired the concept behind “Stir This Thing,” and how did you and Turbulence decide to collaborate on this track?
A: The inspiration behind Stir This Thing was two fold. First the song speaks to any relationship be it with self or with a partner, where the relationship might be at a place of stagnation, laying dormant and out of sync and rhythm. The song encourages one to stir, mix and shift things up so the situation or relationship can get back into movement, harmony and flow so it can come alive again to bring fulfillment, happiness and unity. Stir this thing is also a subtle ode to my biggest inspiration and influence in music, Bob Marley “Stir It Up”.
The opportunity to collaborate with Turbulence on the song came about, after I wrote the song, it felt to me that it needed a male perspective to have a sense of balance between the feminine and masculine aspects and energy. I brought the idea of having a male artist on the track to my producer Adrian Donsome who produced the track. He listened to what I wrote and recorded and agreed with me. He reached out to several artists and Turbulence was the perfect fit. When the track was sent to him, he immediately went into the studio to record his part and the collaboration became a reality. I loved what he brought to the track and I’ll be forever grateful to him for choosing to do this song with me. He’s my first collaboration with a mainstream artist so I’m very grateful he liked the idea and gave me the opportunity to work with him.
As a Toronto-based artist, how has the city’s diverse music scene influenced your unique reggae-fusion sound?
A: That’s a great question, because the diverse music scene of our beautiful city of Toronto has definitely impacted and influenced my unique reggae – fusion sound immensely. It was inevitable because I quickly fell in love with the collage and beautifully woven tapestry of all the different cultures, sounds, genres, music and sounds we get to be introduced to here in our city. I wanted to somehow take the inspiration I felt from all the colors and rhythms of this music scene and fuse it with reggae to create my own unique multidimensional sound and over time I felt I’ve definitely crafted and found the perfect way for me to do that. And for a long time I felt I would hear from people that I was ahead of my time with doing the fusion thing but eventually it caught on and I feel like more and more people are open to the idea and embracing this concept of blending and fusing musical genres together. It makes things more interesting and exciting for sure!
Reflecting on your seventh JUNO Award nomination, can you share how your approach to music has evolved since your first nomination?
A: As I reflect on this my seventh JUNO Award nomination I feel a sense of accomplishment and appreciation for just how far I have come. I will never forget the humble beginnings and the journey in getting me to this point. My evolution is one that keeps growing and is teaching me to always stay open, curious and receptive and to also embrace change and stay adaptable to the ever evolving environment of the music landscape. My spirituality has played an integral role in my approach to what I do, in keeping me grounded, in tuned and aware of my purpose and place in music. This allows me the freedom to choose to express myself in a way that is authentic and true to who I truly am and who I am becoming. To listen and follow my inner voice and to trust myself. I know who I am and how I want to show up and represent myself and my music, lyrically, sonically and visually better than I did before. I have grown leaps and bounds and I will continue to do so open heartedly so I can be the best version of myself to create the best music I can make to share with my audience. Staying true to myself is my approach and I will always remain that way. I am truly grateful that I continue to be seen, acknowledged and recognized by the JUNO Awards for my works and dedication and commitment to contributing and creating conscious music that is respected and celebrated.
“Stir This Thing” touches on revitalizing relationships; can you delve into why this theme was important for you to explore in your music?
A: I chose to delve into this theme of revitalizing relationships because I see a lot of the opposite going on around us today. Especially after 2020, I felt it was and is important to take stock of what is happening within us and around us right now. Our relationships with ourselves, partners and the people in our lives are the most valuable at this time. So I feel we need to be encouraged to take time to “pause” and look at our relationships, and not choosing to stay complacent or quick to give up on ourselves or each other but rather to instead take accountability and responsibility in taking the necessary actions steps to put energy, love, compassion, understanding and effort in keeping our relationships alive and sustainable with appropriate conscious connectivity and communication. This will assist, help and benefit us in building better interrelations all around.
With your background in blending genres, how do you balance the traditional elements of reggae with your innovative sound?
A: I balance the traditional elements of reggae with staying innovative by staying true to what I feel is appropriate and that is, ensuring that I keep things sincere and authentic continuing to work with reggae producers and productions that are conscientious to their roots and core when it comes to honest quality representations of what reggae music is. I also allow myself to be free in staying open to my creative process of expressing and exploring new ideas and paradigms within my artistic journey as I create music with other genres and sounds that Inspire and move me in some way. I follow my intuition and go with the flow of that energy when I feel led to try this with that… and see what shows up as I build and create. I try not to force or judge anything, I just allow things to happen and be, and if it feels right then I go with it. I feel that’s the best way to create magic.
How has your Jamaican heritage shaped your music, especially in songs like “Stir This Thing”?
A: My Jamaican heritage has shaped my music in an enormous way. I am an island girl at heart and I love the island “take it easy and Irie vibes” . I like to take life easy and so I take this same approach with my music as well. My music is easy listening and the intent is to inspire, uplift and motivate people in a positive way to go out and live life fully. Expressing love, light and sunshine wherever you go unapologetically. Stir This Thing is a perfect example of that … .stir and mix things up so life can get bettah and sweetah!
Looking back at your journey from Jamaica to becoming a celebrated artist in Canada, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
A: Looking back at my journey from Jamaica where I came from to now a celebrated artist in Canada is one of humility and appreciation. I have come a long way and the journey has had its challenges, yes for sure but I have always chosen to focus on the positives. The challenges made me more motivated and resilient. Without the pits if you will, I wouldn’t be the artist I am today. They taught me lessons and allowed me to learn more about who I am and who I want to be in music and in life. As a female in a male dominated industry and genre I wanted to work not just harder but more importantly smarter to be seen, heard and respected. I wanted to show the other girls and females who aspire to do what I’m doing that they can do it and that they’re voices matter too and not to stand down but stand up and be themselves. To never let yourself be a victim of your circumstances but to always believe in yourself and rise above. If it gets tough, rest but always get back up and continue on because what is for you can never pass you and nobody can get in the way of your divine destiny and purpose, only you. This attitude has served me well and has kept and sustained me. I use any challenge or negativity that comes my way as fuel for my fire to empower me and keep me stronger and more courageous as I continue on my journey.
Your upcoming album “The Shift” focuses on themes of realignment and harmony. Can you share more about what inspired this direction?
A: The inspiration for my new album The Shift came from the inner work I have been doing on myself which started in 2012 when I had one of my most catalytic spiritual awakening experiences. I lost my voice that year. I couldn’t sing or speak, and I was put on voice rest. I thought that was the end of my career in music, I could only write. So I was forced to go within. The best journey ever. I developed a new relationship with my HigherSelf, Divine Source and myself. It changed my life. I discovered that I needed to make some changes to make my body my vessel healthier and happier so I could get on with my soul path. I became more conscious and aware of my choices and how I saw the world and my place in it. My throat chakra got recalibrated. I quit smoking cannabis so I could protect my instrument..my voice. My diet changed, my lifestyle changed, everything changed. During that time I wrote my first full length album “The Light”. That represented me rediscovering “The Light” within me and wanting to share that with the world. My voice came back after that year stronger and better than ever. I became aware of my purpose as a Lightworker and what my music was meant to do. To help awaken and inspire my audience to remember who they really are, sovereign divine creators. The Light was released in 2017. Then 2020 came around and we were in a lock down. This time was another Spiritual initiation and awakening for me. I wrote “Water” during the lockdown. Water represented my rebirth since rediscovering The Light within. This was released in 2021. The Shift represents the new me. The new world we are co-creating together, the new collective consciousness of our planet, and the shift we are all experiencing individually and collectively. Shifting from unconscious to consciousness, the old ages to the new golden age of love, light and compassion. From dark to light.
You’ve performed at various international festivals; how do these experiences influence your music and your connection with global audiences?
A: Performing around the world at various international festivals allows me to expand, build and grow my audience reach. I get to take and introduce my music and work to like minded people around the world and develop new relationships. I get to see and learn and open myself up more and more to new experiences, cultures and ways of living that gives me more insight and understanding that I utilize in my life, my music and work. I am better for having these experiences no doubt, and I look forward to expanding and growing more as I continue to take my music to new heights and to more audiences around the world.
What future projects are you most excited about, and how do you see your music evolving in the coming years?
A: I am excited about the new Album The Shift coming out in fall September this year!!! I feel it’s my best body of work to date because I keep getting wiser and better as a human and Lightworker, I share this in my music. I’m also excited about a new project we’re currently developing with my team called My Reggae Story for soft seat theaters that we are planning to tour nationally and internationally. More to come on that so stay tuned and also my books that we are intending to release appropriately. The first of which will be my Book of Affirmations. A tool I discovered and used during my spiritual awakening in 2012 and still today. I feel this could help others in alignifesting or manifesting the life they desire for themselves. The other two will be a book of my dreams that I’ve been having since my awakening in 2012 as well, It’s about my dreams and the interpretations of the meanings of the dreams. I feel dreams can be another tool for guidance and it’s a nudge to take note of your dreams. If you write them down and contemplate on them and feel into what messages they are trying to send to you, you’ll find a lot of answers to questions you may have. The third book is about my story, the experiences on my journey to this point and how all of it has shaped me.
How I see my music evolving in the coming years, is that it becomes more and more an extension and expression of where I am in my life and my journey of discovery. Discovering more of the woman I am inside and bringing that to the forefront. As I learn, expand and grow more my music will do the same, becoming better, more powerful, magical and insightful.. Thank you!