MY Name is GiRL

There is a popular saying that goes ‘98% of all statistics are made up’. Which I find to be perfectly true as I myself like to purport a claim that 3 out of every 7 adult Jamaican male is somehow involved the music industry. Ridiculous statement I know, but with maybe just a touch of validity to it. For since rise of the internet and the subsequent technological advancements to support its almost limitless potential, almost anyone with some level of drive and wherewithal can setup a fully functional home studio in short order. But what about the Jamaican female, are there more out there inspired to take the leap into an industry long seen as the equivalent of a boys’ club? Recent evidence would say yes with the likes of Sevana, Jane Macgizmo, Lia Caribe, RR among others finding alternative ways to be seen and heard without the restrictive machinery of local radio stations. Ironically, how this featured artiste garnered our attention was by the good old fashioned process of performing at showcases across the island. She and her band are currently building quite the name for themselves, even though the actual name of the act is one that already known to all. “In high school, I had people call me Dakota because there were four Shanique Browns at Ardenne so it got a bit much. So I used Dakota initially but then people asked if I was a reggae artiste then I tried just Shanique but then people started mixing me up with Denyque so then I said you know what I am a girl and I do music so I will call myself GiRL”.

Despite the seemingly blasé stage name, GiRL is quite the accomplished singer and performer who actually penned her first song “Love” at the tender age of 10, a song which will be featured in her yet to be titled debut project. After recommitting herself to the art form the past three years, GiRL was tasked to find a backing band to supplement her already full sound. “I swear I am 24 and I have eight children,” she exclaims. “They are my band members. The first member of the band, Aldain, was one of my best friends in high school. When I would write a song, I would ask him to play what I heard in my head so when I did my first performance naturally I brought him because he knew the originals. Then there was Mark the drummer who just became my drummer one day, Mark introduced me to my guitarist, my three super singers looked on me and said they will sing for me and the bass player just came with Mark.” And the name of this merry band of musicians you might ask. “They are called ‘The Guys’. It actually came organically, literally they were talking about Skittles and I drew the line at Skittles. They wanted it to be ‘GiRL and Skittles Taste the Rainbow’, I said no ‘GiRL and the Guys’,” she says while laughing. Naming issues aside this group has a smooth, cohesive sound and a front woman who serves as the musical cherry on top. Keep an ear out for this dynamic lady and her special sound.