EXCLUSIVE! Surforeggae interviews Reemah, yet another voice of the heavy reggae from the Virgin Islands!

We had the opportunity to chat with Reemah, the new revelation of the Virgin Islands. She has just released her first album "Check Your Words" which caused a real stir on the international scene, especially in the United States where she has performed at the biggest festival of the genre - Reggae On The River. In the interview, Reemah talks a little about his ideals, his career and his plans for the future.

THE INTERVIEW

Surforeggae: When did you start your music career and why did you decide to be a singer instead of another type of occupation? Reemah: Music has always been in my heart. Since I was a child it was natural to express myself creatively through singing and in the form of compositions. This didn't stop until I reached my adult stage and I started recording many years before my debut album. However, even though he has just left I feel that my musical career is just beginning. Surforeggae: In the world of music there are many famous singers. However, in reggae there are not many female voices compared to the number of groups formed by men or simply singers. Why do you think this happens? Reemah: Reggae was pioneered by men and popularized by them. These pioneers provided others to come with a platform where they could sing and form opinions. Women, on the other hand, didn't have many artists in whom they could identify. It's great to see that today more and more women are starting to put themselves at the forefront of the reggae scene, attracting as much attention as men. Surforeggae: Do you write your own lyrics? What kinds of subjects do you like to address in your songs or when you address people at concerts? Reemah: Yes, I always write my songs. I like to talk about issues that seek to break people's submission to a machine known as the system. Some of these topics include religion, politics, violence, competition, and more. I believe that love, first for ourselves and then for others, despite all our differences, is the only way to reduce suffering. I also really like to write songs with positive messages that cry out for us to help each other and for each of us to spread the message of love to everyone. Surforeggae: Did your family support you to work with music and become a singer? Reemah: My family has always supported me and continues to support me in everything I do. However, there is no more important support than your own, your motivation. If you have an idea or a vision, a will, you are the person who must move to make things happen. Always believe in yourself, even if no one else supports you. Surforeggae: Regarding your recently released music videos for "War" and "Try Love", tell us a little about the conception and how it was for you. There were many comments here in Brazil as soon as we started to disclose them. Did you expect that you would receive so many positive messages about your work so quickly from Brazil? Reemah: "War" was the first single from my debut album and we wanted to make a quick video that would show people a little bit of who I am. We have plans to make an official music video in the very near future. The song "Try Love" encourages us to seek the source of love, even when it seems that everything is going wrong and that there is no reason to live anymore. The video talks about abuse, depression and suicide. We wanted a video that people could realize that no matter the problems or how difficult the situation is, we have the power to drive change if we believe in it. I had no idea that Brazilians would be so supportive of my music. It is wonderful to see that even with the language barrier, people in South America continue to show so much love. The vibrations of the music have broken the communication barrier! Surforeggae: Who influenced you in music? What have you been listening to lately and why did you choose reggae? Do you remember the first reggae song or the first artist you listened to and made an impact on your life? Reemah: Reggae always played in my house while I was growing up. I remember many artists that I listened to and I liked both the sound and the creativity in the lyrics of the songs. Names like Buju Banton, Gregory Isaacs, Garnett Silk, Bob Marley, Sizzla and Anthony B I listened to a lot and still listen. Reggae is the voice of the oppressed. It was not the only song that was part of my training, but I always liked it because of its spirituality. I decided to adopt this style because it raises discussions about liberation from the illusion in which we live. Surforeggae: You are involved with many professional musicians who have been in the Virgin Islands scene for quite some time. How did they help create the songs on your CD that has just been released? Reemah: I created the lyrics and melodies of the songs on my album without much influence. The musical arrangements were created by my producer Kedroy "Cat" Mitchell (one of the members of Bambu Station). He was also the one who made contact with other musicians and producers from the Virgin Islands to give more "color" to the album. Surforeggae: The CD has a series of very interesting instrumentals and faithful to the roots reggae and you have a very soft voice that is inserted perfectly into the music. Tell us a little bit about the feedback you've been getting lately in the United States (where you live) and any other countries you've performed in. Reemah: Thank you very much! Anywhere I perform live, the response is simply incredible. The shows are full of vibration and the audience connects a lot in this. They love the energy I give and they always give me back double, so it's a cycle. Surforeggae: Dezarie is a very popular singer in Brazil and as a representative of the roots reggae of the Virgin Islands, many people when knowing her sound compare it to hers. Were you influenced by it? What are your ideological and musical influences? Reemah: Both Dezarie and I talk about the same subjects in our music and since we are from St. Croix (Virgin Islands) it is evident that someone wants to compare us. We both know that with information people can begin to break the mental bondage and behavior that forces us to digest little by little through various means. The songs I write are inspired by my life, and seeing the suffering in people on a daily basis, it's natural that I want to help. I love a lot of different styles of music, so I have a lot of influences. For me, life is simple. Just choose love in any situation. That is my only commandment. It is about who we are and about the love we must practice. When we love we are one. There is no separation, there is no competition. Surforeggae: We have already started promoting your music in countries like Brazil and Argentina and we already have people asking when you will come to perform for the first time. What image do you have of these countries? As a person living in the U.S., what's being talked about or promoted about these places lately? Reemah: I thank you immensely for the work you are doing to promote my music. I've noticed that your country loves positive music with content. They always talk about Brazil as a place where anyone would love to be – a very beautiful country with kind people. I can't wait to meet you! Surforeggae: We appreciate the opportunity to chat with you and I believe this will be another way for people to know a little more about you Reemah, and get ready to go to meet you. What message would you like to leave for your site visitors? And what can they expect from Reemah in the near future? Reemah: I would like to thank the people of South America for their support. Thank you very much to everyone who is promoting, asking for my songs and always leaving comments that give me even more strength. I'll be going to South America soon so get ready for a wonderful show full of positive vibes.