SVE Music | Reggae & Dancehall News
Lisa Simone’s emergence as a reggae artist becomes even more compelling when you place her musical background, her family legacy, and her upcoming releases into the same frame. What looks at first like a stylistic shift is, in truth, a return to origins that were always present beneath the surface.
Lisa was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica, a parish known for its deep cultural roots and its quiet but powerful contribution to reggae history. Although she later moved abroad and built her early career in gospel, soul, and inspirational music, the rhythms and messages of Jamaican music were part of her earliest environment. Her childhood was shaped by the voices of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, artists whose influence runs through the DNA of Jamaican culture. Even when she was singing gospel, the warmth in her tone and the upliftment in her lyrics carried echoes of the island she came from.
Her musical background is rich and layered. Before reggae became her focus, Lisa recorded gospel albums, inspirational music, and even Christmas projects, often produced by her husband Damion Orlando. These works showcased her controlled vibrato, her emotional clarity, and her ability to deliver messages of faith and perseverance. Those qualities translate seamlessly into roots reggae, where spiritual grounding and everyday storytelling are central. What she brings to reggae is not just a voice, but a lifetime of devotional phrasing shaped by church, soul, and the quiet discipline of message‑driven music.
Her mother, Nina Simone, adds another dimension to her artistic identity. Nina’s legacy is one of fearless expression, political consciousness, and emotional honesty. While Lisa’s sound is very different, the underlying commitment to truth and upliftment is unmistakable. Nina Simone’s influence shows up not in Lisa’s vocal tone but in her thematic choices: songs about resilience, dignity, and the inner strength required to navigate life’s challenges. As Lisa steps into reggae, she carries her mother’s legacy of purposeful artistry with her, refracted through Jamaican rhythm and roots sensibility.
The collaboration with Jah Screw marks the beginning of a new chapter. Jah Screw, known for shaping the sound of Barrington Levy, Michael Prophet, Earl Sixteen, and Ranking Joe, is guiding Lisa into a fully authentic roots direction. He is not simply adding reggae elements to her existing style; he is helping her inhabit the timing, phrasing, and emotional space that roots music demands. Their sessions are slow and intentional, with Screw insisting on quality, message clarity, and a sonic palette that honours her Jamaican heritage. Together, they are crafting a sound built on deep bass, clean guitar skanks, warm organ bubbles, and spacious arrangements that allow her voice to breathe.
Lisa Simone’s upcoming reggae album, produced entirely by Jah Screw, is scheduled for release in 2027. It will be her first full reggae project and the most direct expression of her Jamaican identity to date. The album explores themes of faith, love, perseverance, community, and upliftment, blending her gospel foundation with roots‑reggae storytelling. Early indications suggest that the project will position her within the modern roots‑revival landscape, alongside artists like Etana, Jah9, Queen Ifrica, and Dezarie, while maintaining a unique spiritual angle reminiscent of Judy Mowatt and Carlene Davis.
In addition to the album, Lisa is expected to appear at several reggae‑focused cultural events leading up to the release, including community concerts, roots‑revival showcases, and media features highlighting her transition into the genre. These appearances are designed to introduce her to reggae audiences not as a crossover act, but as an artist returning to her foundation.
Lisa Simone’s reggae era is not a departure from who she is. It is the moment where her Jamaican birth, her gospel discipline, her mother’s legacy, and Jah Screw’s roots expertise converge. It is a homecoming — one that feels both unexpected and completely right.