Popular Jamaican musician, Barbee, has touted the exceptional quality of her music as a major factor in her rise to fame during the early days of her career.
The songwriter, in an interview on Y107.9FM’s Dryve of Your Lyfe with host Reggie Reg, reminisced about the start of her journey, which took off with hits like Missing You and Paddy Cake. She also spoke about working with globally recognized Jamaican music industry players like Junior Kelly and Beenie Man.
She disclosed that she seized the opportunity to grow in the industry through frequent visits to the popular Big Yard Studios, owned by Jamaican-American musician Shaggy, in Jamaica. There, she met several influential figures. “In Jamaica, I would always go for summer vacation, and when I would go for summer vacation, my cousins were engineering at Big Yard Studios. With them doing that, you are able to work with many big artistes. So I would come there and express how much I love music,” she recounted, speaking about her encounter with Junior Kelly.
Adding to her smooth vocals which had undergone years of training due to her choral background, was the hands-on mentorship offered by well-known artists she collaborated with. “Beenie Man was amazing because he is like the reggae Michael Jackson as far as performance was concerned. So working with him was definitely a pleasure because you learn on the spot. He gives you the mic and tells you to go on stage and perform.”
Barbee has collaborated with hitmakers like Junior Kelly, resulting in Missing You, and pop giant Treena, producing the hit Come See About Me. Early in her career, she earned Best Reggae Music Video for Feels So Good, which she attributes to her distinct musical style. “Once you have a good vibe, good things are going to happen.”
Born as Faith J. Eselebor, Barbee is a dynamic reggae and pop sensation reshaping the music scene with global influences and star collaborations. From chart-topping hits to empowering young creatives and building businesses.
