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"HELLO," she says, her tone polite and friendly, seconds after gliding next to me on a couch at the office and recording studio in Kingston which she probably frequents more than her own home. She is fashionably late (arriving with a mini-entourage that includes legendary reggae crooner Tony Rebel) and, dare I add, looking fashionably thin.
QUEEN IFRICA... it's not always easy to be true to what you do but you have to make the effort
Queen Ifrica is very relaxed today, a little carefree too, toying with the ends of her newly-coloured locks, and seems ready to just kick back with a good read and let the cool December breeze have her completely. And that's totally understandable.
Given the whirlwind year she's had: monthly overseas performances, a busy recording schedule with barely any personal time, she can be excused for wanting to take it easy, if even for just a minute.
But do not translate that to mean she hasn't been enjoying the ride to this point in her music career. In fact, she relishes every good and challenging moment the hard work and sacrifices have brought her.
"Oh my, this year was just gorgeous. From January to December, I have been travelling and performing for the fans. And it's just a dream come true," she says, flawlessly made up and wearing a flowing purple dress, sandals and a few pieces of exotic jewellry. "The responses to the different songs like Daddy and Keep It To Yourself have been overwhelming. As an artiste, I feel a sense of achievement and fulfilment when I go to a performance or anywhere else and the fans come up to me and express how the music has touched them. All I can do is be grateful for the success and continue to give thanks."
THREE 'QUEENS': Queen Ifrica (right) is joined by reggae royalty, Marcia Griffiths (centre) and Cherine Anderson at the 2008 Reggae Academy Awards.
Considering Queen's success as a recording artiste in recent years, her warm and open persona has been serving her well. Where some artistes rise to fame and lose all their next-door appeal, Queen Ifrica (born Ventrice Morgan) has remained grounded, gracious and humble throughout her ascent. And that's very important to her.
"As public figures, we have a responsibility to the people we are influencing with our music. They are looking for strong, positive role models, and they expect you to be real. They want someone they can relate to, and that's what I try to give to my fans. I am very humbled by the outpouring of support from the fans," Queen says. "Unfortunately, the negative side of society prefers when you are fake but when you put your heart and soul in what you do, it makes a whole lot of difference. It's not always easy to be true to what you do but you have to make the effort, and be encouraging at the same time."
Spoken like a true woman of substance and unflinching determination. But a far better judge of Queen's story and her ongoing contribution to reggae and the Jamaican society is Professor Carolyn Cooper, head of the Reggae Studies Unit at the UWI Mona Campus.
"Queen Ifrica is a modern-day 'warner woman' calling down judgement on all evil-doers," says Cooper. "Her music celebrates the authority and beauty of upful livity."
Since her last album, Fyah Mumma, catapulted her into mega-success territory and transformed the way we listen to female reggae artistes, Queen Ifrica has been focussed on returning to the album charts stronger than ever. She fervently believes her forthcoming sophomore disc, Montego Bay, is the real thing. She has recorded tracks ("exciting collabos") with 2009 Reggae Grammy nominee, Shaggy; imported European cool cat, Gentleman and her legendary pop, Derrick Morgan.
"I am so excited, because since Fyah Mumma did so well, people have been waiting on this one," she says of the album, which will be released via VP Records in February. "It's an honour to get it out there, and have it bring to the people more of what I represent, while still keeping it fun."
Looking further ahead, Queen - ever the selfless and sensitive humanitarian - wants to continue using her star power and vocal support to lobby for improved care and protection for the vulnerable among us in society, especially children.
"We need to call for greater push to stem the violence that is affecting our children and destroying the garrison communities. I wish the people with the power and authority would do more to help," Queen notes. "If more persons, particularly those in corporate Jamaica, choose to get involved, we can find a way to get to the root of the problems. It is definitely time for a change."
For the time being, this is a busy holiday season for Queen, 33, who relishes nature and uplifting music. With the dawn of a new year just around the corner and more frontiers to conquer in the music world, she vows to keep her sights on the bigger picture while continuing to let her light shine.
"I am very happy with where my career is today. I never get weary yet," Queen admits, laughing. "It is still not where I know I can take it though. I am still on the journey, but I can stop and drink a little water every now and then. It's fun, and I love where it's going.
BY TYRONE S REID Observer staff
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