QUEEN IFRICA
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QUEEN IFRICA – SPIRITUALLY EMPOWERING ANTHEMS – 3 ALBUMS, MONTEGO BAY, CLIMB & FYAH MUMA – TUFF GONG, HER CURRENT DISTRIBUTOR – PERFORMED ON THE REBEL SALUTE FESTIVAL FOR OVER 20 YEARS STRAIGHT, ESSENCE OF REGGAE & MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO BOB MARLEY 2023 IN JAMAICA – TOURED EUROPE IN 2023 DOING 9 FESTIVALS THERE INCLUDING REGGAE JAM & SUNDANCE FESTIVAL – RECENTLY PERFORMED IN THE BAHAMAS, BARBADOS & THE VIRGIN ISLANDS – AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS
Since the 1990s, The Rastafarian way of life has provided the cultural depth that makes reggae unlike any other popular music. Rastafarians have expressed their adherence to a disciplined diet, allegiance to an African homeland and especially the exaltation of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I as the Messiah in many of reggae’s most memorable songs. But the Rastafarian female voice is rarely heard in reggae and even scarcer is the Rastafarian female artist who possesses a repertoire of hits appealing to traditional reggae fans and dancehall devotees alike.
Staking her claim towards obliterating Jamaican music’s long standing gender determined restrictions is sing-jay Queen Ifrica whose stirring mix of spiritually empowering anthems, lover’s rock tunes and searing social commentaries are featured on her many strong anthem songs.
Queen Ifrica live@ Reggae Jam 2023
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Queen Ifrika Performs Live at Rebel Salute 2023
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Queen Ifrica | Live in Kingston, Jamaica @ Musical Tribute to Bob Marley 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Bom Ventrice Morgan on March 25. 1975, Queen Ifrica was raised by her mother and stepfather, as well as a supportive Rastafarian community in Jamaica’s resort capital Montego Bay. “The name Ifrica was given to me by my mom: she and my step dad were of the Rastafarian faith and that is where my real cultural awareness comes from.” she reveals. Ifrica was in her 20s before she really got to know her father, pioneering ska singer Derrick Morgan, but the two enjoy a close relationship today. “We have a serious connection and we don’t miss the fact that we didn’t know each other for that period.” Ifrica explains. “Sometimes he gives me
advice on how to make my melodies people friendly and it is appreciated because he is from where the music began.”
Queen Ifrica initially attracted attention when she outshone the other contestants at a 1995 talent contest held at Montego Bay’s Club Infero. But it was an auspicious December 1998 meeting with venerable cultural sing-jay and producer Patrick “Tony Rebel” Barrett, following her performance at a concert honoring the late reggae singer Garnet Silk, which provided Ifrica with a significant opportunity in the music business. Ifrica’s performance of two Silk tunes so impressed Rebel (who had mentored the beloved Silk early in his career) that he offered to cultivate
her talent through his Kingston based Flames Productions. “I saw the same qualities in that performance I have seen in other males who became big stars including Garnet Silk.* comments Rebel, who produced six of the thirteen songs on “Montego Bay”, several of which he co-wrote with Ifrica. “Over the years I watched her develop into a fine artist.” The Rebel presented the Queen at the January 1999 staging of his annual cultural reggae extravaganza Rebel Salute and shortly thereafter she relocated to Kingston from Montego Bay to fully concentrate on her music. Rebel drew from his enduring success in the business and hit filled catalog (If Jah. “Sweet Jamaica”) and supplied Ifrica with invaluable insights for refining her writing skills. liberating her vocal delivery and polishing up her stage presence. “When I listen to songs I voiced back in the 90s. I wasn’t connecting with the words I was singing but now I understand how to relax,” notes Ifrica. “To gain confidence as a performer Rebel said I have to convince people of the story I am trying to tell. He told me to envision myself singing to thousands of people. That vision has become a glorious reality as Queen Ifrica now commands audiences of thousands performing at concerts in the United States, European festivals and especially at stage shows across Jamaica where her music’s ability to torch societal ills has earned her the affectionate moniker “Fyah Muma”. The breadth of Queen Ifrica’s extraordinary writing talents and the unmistakable conviction that now characterizes her vocals can be heard throughout “Montego Bay”. The album opens with “T.T.P.N.C.” which stands for Tribute to The Pitfour Nyabinghi Center located in Montego Bay. The Rebel produced song honors the elders within the Rastafarian community where Ifrica was raised. Several of those elders lend their reverential drumming and chanting to “T.T.P.N.C.” supporting Ifrica’s rousing recitation of praises to the Most High and reinforcing the resolute Rastafarian female tenor that distinguishes Montego Bay” from the majority of reggae releases.
Despite its multitude of pristine beaches and opulent resorts Montego Bay is a city wracked by poverty, violence and unemployment: however tourists are shielded from these grim realities in the confines of their all-inclusive hotels. ‘The Queen duly voices her outrage at such glaring discrepancies on this dancehall styled title track, also produced by Rebel: ” Fyah Muma blaze we have to represent, long time we a suffer let we make a statement children nah have nowhere fi play. people fed up in every way, welcome to Montego Bay”.
The first single for the international market “Lioness on the Rise” was produced by Donovan Germain whose label Penthouse Records played a significant role in Rebel’s early *90s career ascent. Sung over a luxuriant one drop rhythm. Ifrica’s vocals assuredly deliver the call and response chorus that summarizes her music’s role in uplifting her people: “You can call me by my name (I am ready to roll). once the rules remain the same (how the story’s been told). call me any time (never cop out) a lioness is on the rise, don’t you ever have doubt”. The lioness brings a 21st century edge to Rasta chanting traditions on “Yad the East” produced by Steve and Adrian Locke and Victan Edmunds. Here Ifrica extols Haile Selassie I through
street savvy rhymes chatted in a guttural deejay style: “you never see Halie Selassie I a go hype yet, and the man neva big up wrongs over right yet/Babylon said dem have the vision but them no sight yet/but if it a credit card dem ready fi go swipe it”.
The classic rhythm from the Rastafari anthem Satta Massagana is updated on Rebel’s production of Coconut Shell. a celebration of the Rastafarian sacred herb. marijuana, with the Queen’s smoky delivery lingering in your head like billowing clouds of sensimilla. Donovan Germain reworks another timeless rhythm, “Movie Star” for his production of “Don’t Sign” which urges caution before making a decision. as Ifrica rightly warns: “the fine print always has a secret code and it could hurt you down the road”.
In 2023 Queen Ifrica drops her first single “Proud of Me” This song is for everyone who has been determined to continue on their journey in spite of how rough it has been and to stay focus on their goals even when the way seems dark. This song will be the first single from her upcoming Album which is set to be released later this year under the Nuh Rush Records Label. In 2022 Queen ifrica released “Predator’s Paradise” under the same label on their Redemption Project.
Queen Ifrica is a powerful female artist upholding discipline, righteous principals and dignity in an upside down world. She is well loved and she sings songs of love, strength and upliftment for the people of the world. A lioness is on the rise, don’t you ever have doubt.
