Mama's Hand

I Know

Johnny

Easy Mr. Shatty

Since its creation some five decades ago, the reggae industry has seen many female stars. From its very first, being Millie Small to Marcia Griffiths and now its current queen, Etana, the Jamaican soundscape has spawned few talented entertainers that exude the versatility found in the burgeoning artist named Ieye.
Born in a quaint rural district in St. Catherine, Jamaica, she was the offspring of a God fearing mother and a musically driven father. A child with ten siblings, her upbringing instilled the core values to which she still holds true and is the strength which guides her along her path to success in the rough-n-tumble world of Reggae music.
An accomplished graduate of Dinthill Technical High with 5 CXC subjects, her focus has been catalyzed by a mother who sent all 11 of her	children to high school after her husband’s	death in Ieye’s early years. Harnessing her love of children and youth development, Ieye
set her sights on teaching, but felt the urge to sing and yielded to the call.
After nurturing her talent within her community at weddings, church activities and other such events, neighbors, friends, and fans encouraged her to enter a national contest, and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Festival Song Competition became her first link in the chain set by fate.
Known nationally as one of the country’s most prestigious talent showcases, the 2008 staging proved to be one of the best in years. Revamped by the Olivia “Babsy” Grange led Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Minister’s detailed and creative approach towards cultural preservation became the breeding ground for a diverse range of talents of which Ieye was discovered to be one.

After rounding out the competition as a finalist, her voice and flair caught the ears and eyes of legendary star-maker, Clifton “Specialist” Dillon, noted for catapulting Dancehall Reggae into the international mainstream with talents such as Shabba Ranks and Dancehall Femme Fatal Lady Patra.
Within three months of their initial meeting, Ieye began working on her first full-length album project as a signed artist of the Shang Records Imprint, an indie label spearheaded by Clifton “Specialist” Dillon and Italian Reggae Star and producer Alborosie.
Ieye, now backed by the veteran duo, made her official entry into the reggae music landscape in 2010 with the release of her single and video for ‘Mama’s Hand’. A powerful, heartfelt song, which is actually an
updated reggae take on Bill Withers’ classic ‘Grandma’s Hand’, speaks to the listener about the connection between Ieye and her mother. “She took care of us, sent us to school and paid each of us so much attention, even though she had to work so hard. Looking back, I can't tell how she did it," Ieye recalls. The accompanying video was shot in accordance with the lyrics of the song, showing Ieye visiting the house that she grew up in and having flashbacks of the love her mother bestowed upon her.
‘Mama’s Hand’ catapulted Ieye into both the national and international consciousness so much so that it wasn’t long before she embarked on her first European tour. Beginning late July and ending approximately a month later, Ieye got her first taste of what superstardom was all about, featuring on a tour, which spanned nine countries and at least three different time zones. Ieye held her own on stages which highlighted the best international and Jamaican reggae artistes the world has to offer.
During her time away in Europe, Ieye released a video for her second single ‘I Know’. This song simply confirms Ieye’s faith that ‘Jah’ will stand beside her no matter what kind of obstacles stand in her path. Becoming another big hit for the talented songstress ‘I Know’, went on to hit number 1 on Trinidad and Tobago’s Carivibez TV reggae chart which proves that around the Caribbean region Ieye’s music was beginning to have an impact.



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