MAR 2016 #03.03

M A G A Z I N E ROOTS / ROCK / / RESPECT

featuring SAHRA INDIO ROOTS RESPECT

KEIDA ROCK KELISSA JOAN WEBLEY SHANIQUE KAYLA BLISS RETREAT ISET SANKOFA DO ROAD: MIDNITE OLIVIA WILMOT IRIEMAG.COM

ISSUE #03.03 / MARCH 2016

“ Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” -Mae Jemison First African-American Female Astronaut

Nicholas ‘Nico’ Da Silva Founder/Editor in Chief

IRIEMAG.COM TABLE OF CONTENTS.

ROOTS. ROCK. REGGAE.

Aura Lewis Joan Webley Sahra Indio The Chronicles of Reggae Nanook Enterprise Original Bush Mama

RESPECT. RETREAT. RIDDIMS. RELEASES.

Kindah Touch The Road Irie Trax March 2016 One Family Do Road: 2016 Roots. Rock. Reggae. New & Upcoming Releases ROOTS. AURA LEWIS Photograph Credit: The Telegraph UK

Aura Lewis (born Aurelia ‘Aura’ Grace Msimang on March 4, 1947) was a South African singer FOLLOW Irie Magazine who worked with and and recorded an with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry in the late 1970s.

Early Life and Career

Aura was born Aurelia Msimang in Western Native Township, , South Africa. After growing up in Johannesburg, she moved to the United States in the early 1970s and enrolled at New York’s Hunter College. She married a jazz musician and became known as Aura Lewis.

It was in 1972 when she became interested in reggae after seeing The Wailers perform at Max’s Kansas City, a nightclub and restaurant at 213 Park Avenue South, in , which became a gathering spot for musi- cians, poets, artists and politicians in the 1960s and 1970s. Aura moved to in 1976 where she enrolled in the Drama department of the Jamaica School of Arts, and began working with in the group United Africa. She was introduced to Jimmy Cliff, WEBSITE who asked her to join him on his 1977 West African tour as a backing vocalist, the tour filmed and iriemag.com/chronicle/ released on video as Bongo Man. Cliff’s band stopped off in before returning to Jamaica, where she was taken to by Cliff, while Lee Perry and Bob Marley were working on ‘Punky Reggae Party’ (released on Bob Marley & the Wailers’ ‘Exodus’ album). Perry was looking for an additional backing vocalist and asked Lewis to contribute to the recording, joining Candy MacKenzie. IRIEMAG.COM Back in Jamaica, Lewis became a regular backing vocalist for Perry at his Black Ark studio, and began working on a group project called ‘Full Experience’, along with another Black Ark session singer, Pamela Reed. Perry agreed to produce an album by the group, and drafted in Candy MacKenzie to make the group up to a trio. They recorded eleven tracks in 1978 with a backing band including Mikey ‘Boo’ Richards, Winston Wright, Geoffrey Chung, Michael Chung, and Sticky, including a version of ’s ‘Young Gifted and Black’, retitled ‘Young, Gifted and Broke’, and the track FOLLOW Irie Magazine ‘Full Experience’ (originally called ‘Stricly Roots’), which featured Boris Gardiner on bass guitar.

The tracks recorded also featured versions of the Swahili songs ‘Malaika’ and ‘Haposamane’. The album was never issued in Jamaica, amid tensions between band members. Eventually, Lewis was able to obtain a tape containing five tracks from the sessions and these were licensed to the French Blue Moon label, and released in 1990. The album sleeve features an image of Lewis superimposed on a photograph of the outside of the Black Ark studio. ‘Full Experience’ was included on the album Baffling Smoke Signal: The Upsetter Shop Volume 3 in 2002.

A wanderer and an activist, Aura Lewis eventually settled in Johannesburg where she was part of the Founding Members of the recently formed ‘Reggae Promoters Association’ RPA (SA). She also became heavily involved in different youth projects. On November 30, 2015, an email subscription arrived in our inbox. It was from Aura. She had written a beautiful introduction and also thanked us for the magazine and for giving reggae a positive voice.

In the early morning hours of Christmas (2015), Aura suffered a stroke. She unexpectedly passed WEBSITE away on December 28, 2015. iriemag.com/chronicle/

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we ask that you join us in keeping Aura Lewis in your hearts. We will miss you, Aura! We dedicate this issue of IRIE Magazine in your loving memory. IRIEMAG.COM JAM

ROCK.

JOAN WEBLEY Nanook Enterprise ROCK. JOAN WEBLEY Nanook Enterprise Photography By: Seala Media FOLLOW Joan Webley Joan Webley’s love of music is one of her primary reasons for trying to aid the development of the arts in Jamaica. This passion for music, combined with a multicultural upbringing, has shaped Joan’s career. She studied and worked in the entertainment industry in Melbourne, Australia for seven years. While completing her music business and law degrees, she worked in the fashion and music industries. Upon admittance to the Supreme Court of Victoria, she continued legal representation of filmmakers, animators, musicians and other entertainment professionals, before returning to Jamaica in 2008. Since then, Joan has been steadily drawing on her experiences, and collaborating with the local creative community, as she pioneers Jamaica’s first creative hub: Nanook.

Nanook Enterprises is based on Burlington Ave., in Kingston’s unofficial Entertainment District. The word started as Joan’s childhood nickname, and has Inuit Indian origins, but has evolved into an acronym that guides her approach: Nurturing All Nuances Of One’s Kreativity. It provides a “safe space” to facilitate the developmental, showcasing and networking needs of its eclectic, root-ical, creative and cultural entrepreneurs. Signature Events, including Level UP!, Sankofa Sessions, Ayni Meditations and various workshops and film screenings are held in the hub. It has also provided a meeting space for for other industry groups including the Jamaica Design Association, Manifesto Jamaica and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association. While developing the Nanook space WEBSITE Joan has worked alongside these organisations, and used her legal training, to advise individuals and nanookonline.com advocate for legislative changes in support of Jamaica’s creators and culture locally.

Holistic, practical and innovative: Nanook has piloted several programmes and services to facilitate artists and entrepreneurs with access to the solutions they need. It’s multipurpose, co-working space IRIEMAG.COM includes an outdoor lounge with a bar and fire pit to meet the social and business needs of the com- munity. It’s products and services are geared at managing intellectual property assets, integrating innovative design and technology, and facilitating healthy peer collaboration and cultural exchange. Last year saw 7 members of the community space undertaking an independent exploratory tour of European markets (UP!Tour 2015). And, this year has already seen the exciting addition of ‘The Nook’, an on-site 9-bed hostel, allowing visitors to Kingston the unique opportunity to stay and genuinely FOLLOW Joan Webley connect with the local creative community.

Nanook is doing all it can to help build bridges for people to ‘mek it inna life’ (make a better life) through respect for Jamaican indigenous culture and pursuit of their creative passions. “The next few years will be about constantly evaluating the impact of our activities. Refining the Nanook Approach locally, and deepening the cultural exchange with our international community,” says Joan. “I’m also becoming more aware and comfortable with my role as a community leader and wanting to bring myself more in alignment with the approach I advise. I truly believe that our culture and creativity are the keys to social and economic freedom, and it’s time for me to live that, and turn UP!”

WEBSITE nanookonline.com

IRIEMAG.COM

USA

REGGAE.

SAHRA INDIO ORIGINAL BUSH MAMA REGGAE. SAHRA INDIO Original Bush Mama FOLLOW In 2003, Sahra Indio (Olumeye Records) released her first album entitled Good’s‘ Gonna Happen’ Sahra Indio (one of four full-length ), marking her arrival on the reggae scene. ‘Good’s Gonna Happen’, considered a pop-reggae crossover album by many, became Sahra’s signature song, winning the Unisong International Contest, Reggae Song Of the Year Award in 2004. Featured Single In 2007, Sahra’s second album ‘Change’ released featuring a strong reggae offering with production by legendary reggae guitarist, Tuff Lion. ‘Change’ showed a consistent backing of the artist with beautiful harmonies and live musical arrangements. ‘Change’ was created for the love of music and not for the music business. ‘Jah Fire’, one of the favorites of the album, also appeared on both ‘Hawaiian Roots Music Compilation’ (2009) and ‘Dread & Alive: Kindah Vol. 1’ (ZOOLOOK Label, 2010).

Sahra Indio’s EP entitled, ‘Marijuana Music’ released in 2009, featuring four award-winning contest songs in The Marijuana Music Contests (2009-2011), including the bonus track ‘Down At the Awa Bar’ (video). The EP was created to share at hemp festival performances in Amsterdam, Canada, California, Come with the Fyah and Washington. June 02, 2015

Sahra’s Album, ‘Tru I’ (2012), is a collection of heavyweight reggae & dub tracks from talented composers from Hawaii, Jamaica, France, The UK, Italy and Austria. Good found Sahra in meeting Co-Producer Digikal Roots of Roots Lab Intl. (now Para-Void Records) and again in having all WEBSITE contributions skillfully blended and mixed by Don Fe Studio with mastering at MIA Studio (Spain). sahraindio.com ‘Tru I’ was recorded at Solar Edge Studio with family support from her partner Owen (Executive Producer), brother Moon (‘Testify’ ) and cousin Reggie (backgrounds, composing). Sahra sounds off to critical concerns and affairs, then soothes the mind with flowing dub poetry. IRIEMAG.COM In 2012, Recycle Hawaii invited Sahra to participate in the organizations Educational Program, ‘Artists & the Environment Presentations’ in schools around the Big Island of Hawaii. At a performance just prior to teaming up with Recycle Hawaii, Sahra was dubbed, ‘Auntie Reggae’ by a youth in the audience! She adopted the name for her presentations with great success. Auntie Reggae became ‘Auntie Reggae Time’, which then became A.R.T. (Art, and Reusable Teachings). A.R.T. became the title track of her first youth friendly release on iTunes in February 2015 (also available on CDbaby.com). FOLLOW Sahra Indio

Sahra’s newest release is a single on a UK Steppa Riddim, entitled ‘Come With The Fyah.’ The single is available on CDbaby.com and iTunes.com.

Sahra Indio has toured many parts of the world and appears regularly on local stages and festivals Featured Album in Hawaii. Sahra Indio, aka ‘the Original Bush Mama’ lives off-the-grid in the country where she’s growing food, making recycled art and writing conscious progressive songs. Her lifestyle matches her soothing, laid back voice! When she performs, you feel her heart and soul reach out and touch yours as she sings to you.

If you have yet to experience enjoying Sahra Indio’s vibes, she has been called “a reggae version of Sade with the message of Bob Marley” with a “vibrant, engaging personality and positive attitude.” Sahra Indio is a shining talent that can not be missed! Auntie Reggae Time (A.R.T.) The Interview February 09, 2015

IRIE. Your birth name, Sahra Indio, means ‘Resting place of the People’. Can you share with us the meaning behind your name? WEBSITE Sahra Indio. I was actually born Carol Brown. My Mom wanted to name me ‘Willie Mae’ after her. sahraindio.com She was from South Carolina but moved to Philadelphia after getting married. The folks up North told her she couldn’t name me that and so she chose Carol (I think for Carolina). I never bonded with Carol. It seemed so common. I remember this feeling as young as 11 years old. In the early 70’s, IRIEMAG.COM I moved to California and met a very, diverse set of cultural young people from hippies and Afrocentrics, to Rasta’s, as well as spiritual and political groups that began to have a large influence on me. I changed my diet, I changed my fashion and my occupation. My name became Sahra Indio.

I began to lock my hair. A young woman I had met one day in Berkeley Hills saw me and immediately, proceeded to call me Sahra! I couldn’t even pronounce the hard ‘h,’ let alone consider adopting the FOLLOW odd sounding name. Our paths continued to cross at the local store, ‘Ma Revolution’s Health Food Sahra Indio Store’, parks and at other haunts in the college town. She insisted on calling me Sahra, every time even adding the last name, ‘Indio’ to it. Even then I was still perplexed as why this woman felt to rename me! It took time and meeting a man from Egypt that told me the Arabic name had a couple meanings, all of which I liked. Sahra is an affectionate name for the desert meaning resting place. Featured Album The word Sahra is also, a party! I’ve also, heard it means a special person. Indio is Spanish meaning ‘people.’ Those meanings and names began to resonate with me and my new life journey.

IRIE. You were born in Philadelphia into a musical family that included jazz music from your legendary cousin, Clifford Brown. What was life like growing up for you during that time of your life and what inspired you to pursue reggae music?

Sahra Indio. Growing up in my grandparents house during the 60’s I heard the sounds of Motown. The little radio on the kitchen shelf was tuned to WDAS FM with the sound of soulful crooners softly The Tru I playing in the background all day. I knew about the music of our famous cousin, Clifford Brown, at an November 12, 2012 early age but only heard songs with my father as a teen. He, Clifford, my Mother and Clifford’s wife had dinner dates. They’d go to clubs together where Clifford would play. I heard Ella, Eartha, Pearl, Billy Eckstein, Johnny Mathis, Sara Vaughn and many of the other leading jazz players of the day. WEBSITE Daddy even had the entire Nutcracker Suite! I was in the orchestra then. I would get a pencil and sahraindio.com pretend to conduct the pieces as I’d watch Miss Sherman do at rehearsals.

Fast forward to 1973; I just finished high school when my best friend went to Jamaica. She returned with some horrid looking, mosquito bites she’d infected by scratching. Her hair was matted and she had a copy of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ ‘Catch A Fire’ Album. Although foreign sounding to my ears, I related to the messages 100 percent as we inhaled the knowledge with the smoke.

IRIE. How did your personal music career begin?

Sahra Indio. My musical career started in 1999 officially. When I accepted an invitation to perform FOLLOW Solo in Kyushu, Japan at Sunset Live by friends of the promoter I met at a Jr. Gong and Damien Marley Sahra Indio concert on Maui in 1996. I would take two years to fulfill all of the requirements to travel as an entertainer. I created my first album Osah‘ Sista,’ just for the tour with 50 copies! It was an amazing opportunity to spend a month touring the southern most island in Japan. I returned to Hawaii as a solo artist. Featured Album

IRIE. Do you remember the first song you ever wrote and performed?

Sahra Indio. Yes, it was in Jahringa Reggae Band where I began to write and perform my own songs along with the cover songs I sang. ‘Mister World Leader,’ was my first song I wrote and performed. It became one of the most requested songs I had written. Jahringa never recorded albums so, all the first music isn’t available.

IRIE. What prompted you to ‘Catch a Fire’ and relocate to the active volcanic island of Hawaii? Marijuana Music April 09, 2010

Sahra Indio. When you say it like that, it sounds like a crazy move to the island of the most active volcano in the world doesn’t it? Let me explain. In 1975, I was given an airline ticket to Hawaii as a B’earthday present. I had my reservations about coming to Hawaii as a black person. I thought only WEBSITE of stereotypical images of surfers and Hawaiian Hula Dancers! A short vacation and I was hooked on sahraindio.com the lifestyle I witnessed. The racism of America seemed worlds away as I was welcomed to this place by the locals saying, we were one and the same brown complected people. My heart rejoiced and I remember feeling I had left that ugly, hatred behind. Never mind that I was the only black person IRIEMAG.COM I encountered, I felt a great sense of belonging and acceptance. I unlearned much of the negative ways of the ghetto I was raised in. I felt an actual healing through the intense beauty and overall serenity of the islands. I would travel back to the Bay Area only to find myself on the outside looking into the life I used to be so comfortable with. Hawaii called me to return each time I left until I moved in 1978. FOLLOW Sahra Indio IRIE. In Hawaii, you co-founded your first reggae band, Jahringa, which is aboriginal for ‘dreamtime’. It is during this time of your life that you found your voice to sing about the beauty and the mysteries of life. Can you expand on this?

Sahra Indio. Living in the Pacific I came across the culture of other black Pacific Islanders. I even Featured Album trekked to Fiji, to Viti Levu in search of blacker people to align with. It was there I discovered it’s not purely about the amounts of melanin in your skin, it’s really about culture. Americans always standout like Yankee’s even when you look like me. I came home to Hawaii with a bad case of Dengue Fever, skinny and vowing never to leave Hawaii again. So, the trip I wanted to make to Australia to see the aboriginal peoples, the black fella’s was off. It would be 16 years before I’d take flight again. When the band formed I had already known about the Dream Time. I’d been reading about rites of passage rituals and cultural practices and came across the Churinga Stone. Churinga became Jahringa, our reggae band’s name. I envisioned it to mean we are all part of the most high’s dream! Change September 12, 2007 IRIE. Reggae, today, continues to be a male dominated genre, from publications dedicated to the music to festivals occurring all over the world. What do you think is needed to bring more women artists to the forefront of reggae. WEBSITE Sahra Indio. This is a hard question. I may have an opinion however, it would take more than that to sahraindio.com make a change in future reggae festival lineups. In support of Women’s History Month, I wanted to offer a free download to the song, ‘Come With the Fyah,’ as a strengthening to Irie Mag subscribers. As we can see in the daily news globally, times are critical, times are tuff and we must come hard and IRIEMAG.COM heavy on the daily! “Imagine you’re the Lioness, Lion, the cub. The heartbeat of the family is strong and we’re trodding forward.” The message is that we are a pride akin to Lions. We must stand togeth- er. I like how Tuff Lion put it. We need to hear the female in her feminine voice delivering hardcore message and nurturing. I say, we need to see the wholeness. The elders, the youth, the Roots Sistren alongside our Bredren at every festival globally. Promoters must promote the whole of we, the family visually, not just verses in songs. Until that day, we will not see the equality of qualified, and FOLLOW Sahra Indio deserving women reggae artists performing on reggae stages.

IRIE. How did you earn the name the original Bush Mama?

Sahra Indio. Funny how that came about. I was running through a forest reserve early one morning Featured Album with a male partner who was ahead of me on the road. A tourist car approached me as I ran by and said, “I’ve just seen the Bush Doctor,” running along the road. He asked, “So, are you the Bush Nurse?” I answered, “I’m the Bush Mama,” as I picked up my stride and jogged on. Many years later working on a project with a producer in Los Angeles, he asked me to go home, sit up on my hill and compose what the industry calls, ‘a novelty song,’ to complete content for the album. I recalled hearing Biggie Small, on the radio singing, “I love it when you call me Big Papa” when Bush Mama popped in my head. Today, I am known as the Original Bush Mama just as much as I am known as Sahra Indio. I love it when you call Bush Mama! Good’s Gonna Happen IRIE. Last year you released the album Auntie Reggae Time: Teach the Youth the Truth, a January 1, 2003 youth-friendly album addressing recycling, sustainability and Irie living. You literally record- ed this album off grid and in the bush. Why was it important to put out an album that reached the youth? WEBSITE sahraindio.com Sahra Indio. The Techno Bush is what my musical and life partner, ‘Selector O’ calls it; high-speed Internet and solar powered rural living that keeps us linked globally. Solar Edge is the studio I use on Big Island and, as the name states it is solar-powered. When the engineer is not working on musical projects, he’s gardening organically, on the sixteen acre parcel! Walking the sustainable talk means IRIEMAG.COM sourcing ecologically whenever possible. A.R.T., is manufactured on recycled materials. I love to share these points with students that I make presentations to in Hawaii Island Schools. I created this album to address some of the issues the youth face in school and in the environment. We discuss the three R’s, how gardening is the heart of a sustainable life, compostable dinnerware and compost. We dis- cuss consumerism, and competition vs. cooperation. Reggae’s message with its One Love philosophy, Ital diet and Irie Living is at the base of all I teach. Original songs I perform after the sessions help FOLLOW Sahra Indio reinforce the messages.

IRIE. We are feeling IRIE about your latest single, Come With the Fyah. What is the message you are hoping to share with the world?

Sahra Indio. I am glad that you feel the vibes of CWF. It’s a UK Steppa beat, something new for me. An idea from co-producer Digikal Roots that I embraced. The song is describing the family as a pride of lions. We know that the lion is the official reggae icon that attests to the strength of the King Of Forest. That mighty strength is also exhibited in the Queen Mother Lioness that defends her cubs. That fierceness needs to join forces. Reggae stages should be the place we come to for nurturing. We should see performances from wise elders, conscious youths, and powerful Sistren and Bredren at the forefront if reggae truly is message music.

IRIE. Is there anything you would like to share with our audience?

Sahra Indio. In closing I’d like to give big props to IRIE Mag for equally featuring women alongside our male counterparts in every issue of the publication thus promoting balance in voices and views in this message music in these serious times. I can’t wait to read the March issue and to listen to all the WEBSITE beautiful sisters I’ve seen on the previews. Aligning with International Women’s Day ensures we’ll be sahraindio.com hearing more and more musically from our sistren across the globe. Give thanx! And, with that said, I look forward to seeing all of you on reggae stages soon!

IRIE. Much Love and Respect, Sahra Indio! IRIEMAG.COM Olivia Wilmot Kelissa Keida Jamaica Jamaica Jamaica

Iset Sankofa Shanique Marie Kayla Bliss Jamaica Jamaica United States

RESPECT. OLIVIA WILMOT JAM RESPECT. OLIVIA WILMOT EARTH AND THE FULLNESS Written By: Touch The Road FOLLOW Photography By: Ishack Wilmot Photography Olivia Wilmot

Meet Olivia Wilmot of Earth & The Fullness and stream their first single, Awakening There are many fascinating things to say about nascent reggae band Earth & The Fullness, its beautiful lead singer/ Olivia Wilmot, and the refreshingly different music they produce. Having Featured Single almost organically created itself through an informal listening session at Jamnesia Surf Camp/music hub— call it right place, right time, right people— the band’s sound strings together authentic reggae, with elements of such highly acoustic genres as Nyabinghi, alternative, , and dub. It has a very airy, meditative feel and rightly so, considering its name which also came about progressively. Everything is earth and the fullness. I am Earth and the Fullness. So are you, Olivia says. We agree and delve deeper in search of the inspiration behind it all.

Touch The Road first got wind of her throughthis video on YouTube a few months ago and immediate- ly reached out — we had to have them on our festival! Naturally they killed it and we’ve since grown Awakening from fans into full-blown advocates, after all, this is the kind of music the world needs, especially with March 4, 2016 all the turmoil going on, but let’s backtrack a bit.

A few years ago, Olivia was so far removed from her current school of thought that despite sharing WEBSITE space at Jamnesia in Bull Bay, St Thomas, as part of the internationally acclaimed Wilmot family, she earthandthefullness.com had yet to truly connect with the spiritual enlightening she now embodies. And, yes, we’re talking Mystic Revealers vocalist Billy Wilmot and his progeny of artistic/surfing talents. Based in Bull Bay, St Thomas, (less than five minutes from the Wickie Wickie Beach House where we held our festival), it also happens to be the venue for Jamnesia Sessions, which was instrumental to the Reggae Revival. IRIEMAG.COM Olivia’s Awakening happened around 2009-2011 and was spurred on after she had her first child, a daughter, then met a Kemetic yogi who helped revolutionize her thoughts and ideals, allowing her to start asking fundamental questions.

Prior to that, she grew up in a Christian home, went the traditional education route, studying Psychol- ogy and Anthropology as education disciplines and describes herself as always living in fear, terrified FOLLOW Olivia Wilmot to pursue music and in a tireless search of herself. A far cry from the composed, conscious Rasta Empress we saw simultaneously rocking the mother/artiste hats on stage—who would have thought she once had (and is still working on overcoming) severe stage fright?

Olivia, who says she was born and raised in a bubble in Kingston, is now living the difference as an example for her children whom she homeschools herself with a mix of traditional and unschooling methods. She’s come into her own spiritually, musically and found the right team to create and manifest her messages with. Awakening, the band’s first official single, is true to their experimental reggae sound. She wrote it while vibing on guitar by the Portland seaside and through it, invites the listener into her thoughts and emotions as a newly empowered woman. The song’s message is simple… We truly are free. Anything else is a challenge to live free and make the change, you have to live that change. But who exactly is it intended for?

The audience is who will take the time to listen. Reggae is the King’s music, it’s for everyone. If I can contribute to that, bringing energy to healing spaces, progressive initiatives, upful gatherings, persons who might feel down, then it’s an honour. I’m doing my part, going where the Ancestors guide. WEBSITE Honouring the process. I’m humble to it and working with time and guidance. It’s a journey and it’s earthandthefullness.com not just about music. It’s about life, cultivating livity, she explains. We couldn’t agree more. Touch The Road is thrilled to share this inspiring, free-flowing roots music from the soul with you, our IRIE family. Tune in, enjoy and thank us for introducing you to one of your new favourite bands. — Tami Tsansai

IRIEMAG.COM Earth and the Fullness Kingston, Jamaica IRIEMAG.COM KELISSA JAM RESPECT. KELISSA

Raised in the inspirational hills of St. Andrew, Jamaica, Kelissa developed a natural inclination for FOLLOW music, largely influenced by a and reggae upbringing. With parents as lead vocalists in the Kelissa original reggae band ‘Chakula,’ creation and appreciation of music were constant features in her home.

Kelissa sojourned with her music to Africa where, during extended periods in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Ghana, she had multiple opportunities to broaden her musical scope. During her time in Africa, she expanded her musical abilities by teaching herself the guitar, collaborating with several musicians and Featured Single producers, and performing on multiple occasions.

Kelissa also spent extended periods in California, USA where her college curriculum was heavily involved with music. She was an avid member of several music ensembles and gained significant exposure on music production and studio recording. As co-founder of the Black Arts and Cultural Dance (BACD) group on campus, Kelissa created a platform that facilitated her on-going interaction with different audiences and talented young performers from across the world. Kelissa’s unique background and rich international experiences have influenced her music by coloring it with diverse sounds, insightful messages and captivating performances. Best Kept Secret July 07, 2015 Kelissa currently resides in Jamaica and continues to make music her central purpose. Since returning to Jamaica, ‘Anbessa Music’ teamed up with ‘Zinc Fence Records’ to produce her first Extended Play (EP) project Rebel‘ In Disguise,’ which was first released during her tour of Africa. In August 2012, Kelissa returned to Africa with two filmmakers as part of the ‘50 Days in Afrika’ initiative. The Trio travelled to 6 countries (Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia & Kenya) to document the thriving arts industries on the continent. The tour featured multiple performances by Kelissa in each country, reinforcing her musical foundation in IRIEMAG.COM Africa and harnessing cultural exchange. Kelissa was the first Jamaican to perform at the annual ‘Felabration’ festival in Nigeria and shot her first for the tour’s theme song ‘Afrika.’ This experience provided her with many performance and production opportunities that enhanced her exposure in Africa and added to her musical inventory.

Since then, Kelissa’s music has made significant impact locally and internationally. She has featured on FOLLOW Kelissa several major concerts in Jamaica such as Rebel Salute, Sumfest and Redemption Live, and since 2013, she hosts an annual show called Kelissa Live. Kelissa also served as one of the musical ambassadors for the Bob Marley 71st birthday celebrations. These opportunities have enhanced her local following and have enriched her artistry. Featured Single Her performance experience has also extended to the international stage where she has had multiple opportunities to share her music. Kelissa has featured on several shows across the United States, and the United Kingdom. She also recently participated in a tour across Europe, performing on 22 shows in multiple cities alongside Chronixx, Dre Island and Zincfence Redemption. She recently returned to the United States with Chronixx and her brother Keznamdi to perform in numerous cities across the West Coast, and anticipates further local and international appearances. Kelissa is currently working on exciting new projects by her own label Anbessa Music, and other musical collaborations.

Keep My Head Up Her newest single ‘Best Kept Secret’ has set the tone for her upcoming project, blazing the airwaves April 14, 2015 with sweet vocals and hard hitting instrumentation. Kelissa’s soulful, rootsy and world beat music continues to provide a reservoir of her life experiences that is driven by her passion to uplift and inspire others.

IRIEMAG.COM KEIDA JAM RESPECT. KEIDA Photography By: Krystle Karee Design Studio FOLLOW In 2009 Makeida Beckford, more popularly known as ‘Keida,’ emerged as a new talent on the Jamaican Keida Reggae/Dancehall scene with her debut single, ‘Jamaican Boy’. The single became an instant radio hit receiving airplay locally and internationally. This paved the way for a great number of collaborations with well acclaimed musicians and producers alike. Featured EP Raised by visual artist parents she developed a love for creative expression at a tender age but did not discover her musical talents until much later (2009). KEIDA grew up in the coastal town of Bull Bay, St. Andrew where she and her family members learned to surf, paint and cultivate their artistic talents.

She was nominated for the Excellence in Music and Entertainment Award for Best New Female Artist (2010) and won the Jamaica Star People’s Choice Awards in two categories: Best New Female Artist and Best Singjay in 2010. In 2011 she was selected to sing the World Cup Cricket anthem along with then reigning Soca Monarch Tian Winter of Antigua. Thereafter she featured on numerous shows and social events across the Eastern Caribbean. Ebb and Flow June 02, 2015

She went on to do a promotional tour in the tristate area (New York, New Jersey &Connecticut).

In 2012 She released her first mixtape Wickedest‘ Ting’ which featured an extensive 26 songs. After its WEBSITE release Keida switched her focus to roots reggae music. She released her first EP Ebb‘ & Flow’ in June keidamusic.com 2015 as a dedication to the youths.

IRIEMAG.COM ISET SANKOFA JAM RESPECT. ISET SANKOFA Sounds Without Borders Photography By: Matthew Henry & Naecia Dixon FOLLOW Iset Sankofa “For Sankofa, hers is an imagined and realized terrain where digital divides are effortlessly bridged in 128 BPMs. New music lifts a hat to traditional sounds via a kind of ‘time-travelling-self-discovering-remixing’ sort of aesthetic.” K.O.T.E. (KINGSTON ON THE EDGE), 2014 Sankofa Sessions Iset Sankofa forges ahead of the turntable constellation with a stunningly refreshing kinda sound. This is the ‘all genres considered’ milieu... where dusty Malian Blues takes a night stroll with Dub, Naija Hip Hop flirts dangerously with gritty Kingston Dancehall and bubbly Brazilian Electronica steams a peace-pipe with Afro-Jazz Futurism. For this self-described ‘bird’, she is always reaching beyond ‘the beyond’ and fetching back what she terms as musical source-code. In that, we can find a song or a groove so undeniable in its appeal that it not only builds on the idea of the universality of music, but of sound itself. Her musical selections have a way of running past the dance-able and the obvious. Usually, the next stop is a bold convergence of history and magic—one that playfully wields Sankofa Sessions the listener into the lush, downright sensuous terrain that music can be. March 2016

Ahead of the March 2016 return of the Sankofa Sessions (details TBA this week), Iset Sankofa is set to release ‘Back To Life’ 2016 appreciation mix tape via her soundcloud, social media networks WEBSITE and website. Her time spent away from the turntables usually means more writing projects, namely soundcloud.com/iset-sankofa ‘Kingston Warrior Guide’, a web mag that will bring the sights and sounds of Jamaica and the African continent alive in true Sankofa stylee. Iset also does a monthly guest DJ stint on RJR94 FM alongside second generation Wailer, Abijah ‘Wailer’ Livingston aka DJ Asadenaki. Tune in every third Wednesday from midnight to 5:00 AM. #ThePastThePresentTheRemix. IRIEMAG.COM JAM REYA SHANIQUE SUNSHINE MARIE RESPECT. SHANIQUE MARIE

Shanique Marie, formerly ‘Shanz’ emerged on the scene primarily as a Dancehall vocalist. Born in FOLLOW the Reggae Mecca, Jamaica, with a first love for Jazz, she decided she wanted to do something more. Shanique Marie Facilitated by the innovative music production duo, Equiknoxx Music, team Shanique Marie carried the experiments far and wide.

One notable experience is sighted on song ‘Dub Me’ where the underlying track is a fusion of sounds from unreleased tapes of Augustus Pablo, which was facilitated by Suns of Dub with whom Equiknoxx Featured EP Music co-produced the track.

Other contributors to the project are Cali P, Raging Fyah, the Staff of Anchor Recording Studios, Tafawee Buchsaecab, Ordean ‘Bingie’ Francis, Nicholas Groskoph, Soul-Force Records, Aleksander ‘Mothashipp’ Molak and Grammy award winning mastering engineer Jacek Gawlowski.

The end result of the experiment is six (6) songs. Being the first release of Shanique Marie, the project is entitled ‘UNO’. Distributed by ZincBeats, ‘UNO’ is now available on iTunes. Uno December 11, 2015

IRIEMAG.COM USA REYAKAYLA SUNSHINE BLISS RESPECT. KAYLA BLISS

Brooklyn born with Jamaican blood best describes the places from whence Kayla Bliss comes. She FOLLOW rides reggae riddims like Sanchez or , still taking inspiration from legends like Anita Kayla Bliss Baker and Roberta Flack. She writes her songs, taking cues from Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. Lastly, she gives it a modern bounce, like classic Brandy or Mary J. Blige. A lot of singers wouldn’t be able to deliver a melting pot of styles like this, but Kayla Bliss does it with ease.

Kayla went from singing in local talent shows and church in Brooklyn as a child, to opening for Buju Featured Single Banton and Super Cat at 18. Somewhere in between there she gained experience on great stages like Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Cipriani, and Lincoln Center. After a childhood packed with classical vocal training and musical theory, Kayla took every musical boundary she knew and broke it.

Kayla struggled to find a musical home early in her career. She was bouncing back and forth between heart-clenching R&B ballads, bass-heavy , and beat-driven hip hop. Kayla built a fanbase by producing melodic masterpieces and female anthems on her first mixtapes Face‘ The Music’ and ‘HeadPhones & Halos”. Her first two mixtapes granted her a heavy Internet presence, and got rave Red Hott August 07, 2015 reviews from notable websites and blogs.

Finally in 2011 Kayla teamed up with the legendary Xterminator Productions for her worldwide debut. Headed by Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell and, heir to the throne, Kareem ‘Remus’ Burrell, Kayla proceeds to lace airwaves with smooth melodies and lush harmonies backed by the rhythm and bass of the un- stoppable duo, Sly & Robbie. Now that she has been dubbed ‘Audio Angel’ (also the name of her highly anticipated EP), soon she will step foot on every stage for fans of every genre with true crossover grace.

With a whimsical, loving, musical style, Ms. Kayla Bliss is leading the new world music movement. IRIEMAG.COM JAM

RETREAT.

Touch The Road Do Road: March 2016 RETREAT. AKAE BEKA LIVE MIDNITE IN KINGSTON FOLLOW DO ROAD: MARCH 2016 Touch The Road

On The Radar: Akae Beka’s performance in Kingston, Jamaica History will be made at the Hope Gardens Shell Bandstand in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday, March 26 at the Midnite In Kingston show headlined by Akae Beka, (Vaughn Benjamin), former lead vocalist of celebrated reggae band Midnite, alongside rising reggae acts. IRIE Mag is ready and waiting to document the occa- sion with our partners at Touch The Road Jamaica—you can check out their Do Road: Midnite In Kingston tour itinerary here. It’s naturally the biggest buzz for this period in the world’s reggae capital city and we can see why, it’s Akae Beka’s first performance in the city and the line-up is HOT! The event is organized by Away to Africa — a travel company conceptualised by attorney-at-law Tiffanie Anderson —and co-produced by Lauren Watkis.

Anderson’s company launches officially this month and aims to be a bridge between Africa and the world. She is excited about her upcoming events and believes the synergy is perfect. “The music and WEBSITE energy of Akae Beka has a very strong Motherland focus, much like the other artistes on the show. touchtheroad.com We thought it would be a good partnership as they all make music that embodies this outlook. Reggae music is about African awareness and intelligence. It heavily promotes the necessity of having a direct connection with our roots and a continuous need to make the voyage to the Motherland,” she explained. IRIEMAG.COM In addition to Akae Beka, the production also features Avocado singer Jah9, who will release her highly anticipated new album soon; Modern Day Judas singer Jesse Royal, who is taking Europe, Japan and the Americas by storm; and Beat Dem singer Lutan Fyah, a longtime reggae favourite known to deliver great performances. Multitalented budding artistes like Rastafari Way singer Dre Island, Rate Rasta singer Xana Romeo (daughter of veteran artiste Max Romeo), and ZincFence Records producer/Black Marcus recording artiste Silkki Wonda will also add their flavour to the concert. In-between all these FOLLOW Touch The Road militant performances I Grade Dub (St Croix) accomplished producer, audio engineer and dub mixer, Laurent ‘Tippy I’ Alfred (who often worked with Benjamin and his former band), will play authentic dub while Dubwise conceptualiser/DJ Rory ‘Yaadcore’ Cha will keep the vibe going with more mystical selections. Sounds awesome, right? There’s more…

Mark your calendars for the Midnite In Kingston Reasoning Session on the next day, Sunday, March 27, at Kingston Dub Club for a discussion on how the region can align with Africa for mutual advancement. The dialogue features Vaughn Benjamin and Jah9 as moderators, joined by other distinguished minds giving their take on the subject before segueing into the internationally renowned Gabre Selassie-led weekly dub session. No doubt about it, both Midnite In Kingston events are sure to be spectacular. We strongly advise getting your tickets right away so you don’t miss this phenomenal occasion. Not in Jamaica? Book a trip to Kingston now for this one of a kind show and go tune in to some great performances. Make sure you listen to the wicked Midnite In Kingston promotional mix every day to get yourself in the mood too.

For more news on the event, visit www.midniteinkingston.com, e-mail [email protected] or follow @midnightinkingston on Twitter/Instagram. WEBSITE touchtheroad.com

IRIEMAG.COM RETREAT. March 24th - Thursday ARRIVE & REVITALIZE DO ROAD: MAR 2016 Check In, Connect With The Team & Cool Out EVENING EATS & BEATS AKAE BEKA LIVE Ital Food & Vinyl Thursdays* *Dinner included

MIDNITE IN KINGSTON March 25th - Friday WELCOME TO JAMROCK Photography By: InityWeekly.com Discover Downtown & Market Tour (AM Activity) Original Orange Street (PM Activity) EVENING EATS & BEATS Street Food Fare & HI-Grade Dub Sessions* *Lunch included

March 26th - Saturday GONE EAST Wickie Wackie (AM Activity) Ital Vital - Run a Boat w/ Uncle Ronnie (PM Activity) EVENING EATS & BEATS Midnite in Hope Gardens w/ Akae Beka (formally Midnite), Jesse Royal, Dre Island, JAH9, Silkki Wonda, Xana Romeo, Yaadcore, Tippy-I* *Lunch included

March 27th - Sunday UP IN ZION River Trek (AM Activity) Reasoning Session with Akae Beka & Friends (PM Activity) WEBSITE http://www.touchtheroad.com/ EVENING EATS & BEATS Kingston Dub Club* *Lunch included Midnite - Starting at $699/person (5 Days, 4 Nights ) March 28th - Monday Includes: Guide, Transport to all included activity, free time to explore, entry to all listed events and specified meals. SOON COME BACK Does not include: Flights, Travel Insurance, Lodging*, Airport Transport* All Meals & Personal Libations. Bless Up Breakfast & Depart (AM Activity) *Can be added on for an additional cost *Breakfast Included RETREAT. April 19th - Tuesday ARRIVE & REVITALIZE: Check In, Connect with the Team & Cool Out EVENING EATS & BEATS Ital Food & Vinyl Thursdays* DO ROAD: APR 2016 *Dinner included HEALING OF THE NATION April 20th - Wednesday SWEET SENSI: Road Trip West - Where Herb Is The Best (AM) Photography By: Matthew Henry Overnight Ganja Farm Campout/Cookout (PM) EVENING EATS & BEATS Country Vibes & Binghi Drumming *Dinner included

April 21st - Thursday CAUSE I’M A GANJA PLANTA: Ganja Farmer Lessons (AM) River Trek & Overnight Ganja Farm Campout (PM) EVENING EATS & BEATS *Lunch included

April 22nd - Friday STEAMERS A BUBBLE: Road Trip Back To Kingston (AM) Steamaz Craft Session with Ziggi & Friends (PM) EVENING EATS & BEATS Street Party & Street Food *Lunch included

April 23rd - Saturday MUSICAL & HERBAL HEALING: Discover Downtown & Orange Street (AM) Herb Treats & Medicinal Use in Jamaica (PM) EVENING EATS & BEATS Herbs In The Garden Soundsystem Part *Lunch included WEBSITE http://www.touchtheroad.com/ April 24th - Sunday UP TO ZION: ITAL Brunch & Rasta Reasoning Sessions w/ Ras Chike (AM) Wickie Wackie & Rockers Sunday (PM) Healing - Starting at $1050/person (7 Days, 6 Nights) EVENING EATS & BEATS Kingston Dub Club *Lunch included Includes: Guide, Camping Lodging for 2 nights, Transport to all included activity, free time to explore, entry to all listed events and specified meals. April 25th - Monday Does not include: Flights, Travel Insurance, Lodging*, Airport Transport* All Meals & Personal Libations. SOON COME BACK: Bless Up Breakfast & Depart (AM) *Can be added on for an additional cost *Breakfast included RIDDIMS. IRIE TRAX

Sahra Indio Come with the Fyah FOLLOW Kelissa Irie Magazine Best Kept Secret (Locked Away) Shanique Marie Coconut Jelly Man Kayla Bliss Red Hott

IRIEMAG.COM RELEASES. NEW & UPCOMING RELEASES Thank you for supporting the Women of Reggae Music

Welcome to the March 2016 edition of RELEASES, which highlights the new and upcoming albums, ep, singles, videos and mix tapes from reggae artists around the world. In celebration of Women’s History Month, this month’s release is dedicated to the Women of Reggae Music. We hope you will join us in supporting these artists.

COME WITH THE FYAH I WANNA BE Only Irie Vibes KING QUEEN RIDDIM Artist: Sahra Indio Artist: HIRIE Artist: Leah Rosier & Rise & Shine Artist: Queen Makedah ft Toussaint the Liberator Label: Olumeye Records/Dubrocka M. Label: HIRIE Music Label: Leah Rosier and Rise & Shine Label: Queen Makedah Genre: Reggae Genre: Reggae Genre: Reggae Genre: Reggae Release Date: Jun 02, 2015 Release Date: Sep 11, 2015 Release Date: Feb 26, 2016 Release Date: Feb 01, 2016

To submit your new or upcoming release today, visit https://www.iriemag.com/releases/new-release-submissions/. RELEASES. NEW & UPCOMING RELEASES Thank you for supporting the Women of Reggae Music

UNO RED HOTT AWAKENING BEST KEPT SECRET Artist: Shanique Marie Artist: Kayla Bliss Artist: Earth and the Fullness Artist: Kelissa Label: Equiknoxx Music Label: XTM Nation Label: Earth and the Fullness Label: Anbessa Music/Natural High : Roots Reggae Genre: Reggae Genre: Reggae Genre: Reggae Release Date: Dec 11, 2015 Release Date: Aug 07, 2015 Release Date: Mar 4, 2016 Release Date: Jul 7, 2015 NEXT MONTH In IRIE Magazine | 420 Issue (April 2016)

It’s a 4/20 takeover! Our Jamaican correspondents at Touch The Road —Asham (Evafrass weed baby who celebrates her birthday on April 21st) and her trusty sidekick, weed enthusiast Tami Tsansai— will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the world’s most celebrated ganja nation. You’ve never seen GanJamaica like this… the IRIE team is taking you inside the island’s key herb centres; from farm to package, tinctures to fashion, accessories to edibles and more, we’ll have it all covered. Soon come…

TOUCH THE ROAD

WEBSITE touchtheroad.com ISSUE #03.03 / MARCH 2016

IRIE would like to thank the following people who helped make this issue a successful one. Without their efforts, this magazine would not be possible.

Giovanna Guimarães, Michelle Monreal, Ashley Hyde, Tami Coley, Matthew Henry, Touch The Road, Ishack Wilmot Photography, Lee Abel Photography, Krystle Karee Design Studio, Naecia Dixon, the Glint and Sara Harris (VP Records).

Nuff Respect!

IRIEMAG.COM