The royal empress of reggae music – Queen Ifrica
“My music is uplifting music. It’s music that teaches. It shows you how not to complain, but to find solutions for yourself.” ~Queen Africa
Conscious roots reggae music has always been a male-dominated genre, so it can be difficult for female artists to rise to the top. But this “Fyah Muma” (Mother of Fire), the royal Rastafarian empress known as Queen Ifrica, is definitely setting a breakneck pace to become the most prominent woman in this field. Hallelujah, we’ve been waiting for it too long!
Born Ventrice Latora Morgan in Spanish Town, Jamaica, on March 25, 1975, this daughter of the Ska King, Derrick Morgan, was raised in rural Jamaica. Her mother nicknamed her Ifrica, who she thought her face was shaped like a map of Africa. Queen Ifrica burst onto the reggae scene in 1995 when she performed and won a talent show in Montego Bay by a landslide. In 1998, Tony Rebel recognized her gifts and quality and invited her to join her Flames Production family. Now Queen Ifrica is using her significant hereditary talents to help restore the cultural vibes of reggae music and Jamaica in general.
Her commanding stage presence, strong self-confidence, enchanting voice and dynamic performances have also created a demand for her on the international reggae scene. She has toured extensively and been very well received at the USA 2006), Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (California, 2007), Reggae Sundance Festival (Holland, 2007, 2008), Ragga Muffins Festival (California, 2007, 2008), Rototom Sunsplash (Italy, 2007, 2008), Montreal International Reggae Festival (Montreal, 2007), Uppsala Reggae Festival (Sweden, 2008), Anthems of Love (Trinidad, 2008) and Millennium Countdown (Bahamas, 2008). She has shared the stage with the legendary Abyssinians, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Buju Banton, Culture, Sly & Robbie, Burning Spear and many others. The mother of two also wowed a local audience in Montego Bay, Jamaica with her ferocious performance at Reggae Sumfest in 2008. Visiting nearly every continent, she would like to perform in Africa next year.
Stirring controversy and social awareness by addressing issues such as incest and child sexual abuse, Queen Ifrica claims to find inspiration for her music from the people she meets while doing community work. She believes she was put here for a special purpose: to make her the part of her for all the suffering people in the world. Her songs are uplifting, they teach us to appreciate life and look for solutions wherever there are problems. Some of her role models in the industry were Sister Carol, Rita Marley, and Marcia Griffiths.
At times, drawing on her own personal experiences, this mother of two has covered religious discrimination in natty fi growJamaican violence and negativity in Hornya poignant rage against gangster violence in boxers And Tights, the pain of love lost in Goodbye Love, oppressed communities living in poverty in zinc fencedomestic violence in below the waistincest and child abuse in Daddy don’t touch me thereand the dangers of the latest Jamaican skin bleaching trend in My Nah Rub. This Rasta Empress doesn’t shy away from social commentary. She proves that you can sing about anything; You just have to do it with class.
Bold and vibrant, sweet and sensual, Queen Ifrica’s voice and delivery have improved over the years. She fills stadiums with beauty and positive vibes as she shares her brand of socially uplifting cultural music with us. She exemplifies what awareness combined with talent can achieve and proves to be a good example for all women.
We look forward to seeing a follow-up studio album from Fyah Muma in 2009. May her wisdom, morality and truth remain with her and her meteoric rise continue!