What can I say except I’m filled with gratitude? To have the opportunity to perform a brand new arrangement of the National Anthem I created along with my talented brother and musical genius, Rouaj Shirley, on Independence Day yesterday at the National Stadium at Grand Gala - the biggest annual event Jamaica stages for the world to see - is something I will FOREVER be proud of!!!
Arranging this was no easy feat. We worked for 3 months to get it just right. I wanted to honour the original composition whilst finding new creative ways to make it fresh and exciting, and I think we did just that. Pitching this on my own to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (the public body responsible for all national cultural events) was VERY intimidating at first, but they welcomed it and I’m very grateful to them for trusting me with this amazing task.
A VERY special thanks to my AMAZINGLY TALENTED friend Julianne who designed my look and to the great Cavell for making it a reality in less than a week!
And I absolutely CANNOT forget my people!! All these background singers are my friends - including my actual brother - who said yes long before I finished asking them to sing with me! They’ve all been a part of my journey and I couldn’t do this without them. Sharing the stage with them was electric!!
HAPPY 62nd BIRTHDAY JAMAICA!! We hope we made you proud 🇯🇲❤️
CREDITS
Musical Arrangement: Tarik Alexander - https://www.instagram.com/tarikalexander/ & Rouaj Shirley - https://www.instagram.com/rouajshirley/
Audio Engineer: KaleX - https://www.instagram.com/kalex_dg/
Audio Mix: Nico Groskopf - https://www.instagram.com/nicogroskopf/
Background Vocalists
Ashleigh Cummings - https://www.instagram.com/ash_anda_/
Ayana Dean - https://www.instagram.com/ayanadeanrealty/
Petergaye Bailey
Abbigayle Brown - https://www.instagram.com/abbigayle.gb/
CK René Brown - https://www.instagram.com/ckrenegade876/
Shenea Needham-Paul - https://www.instagram.com/sheneaofficial/
Aaron Cummings - https://www.instagram.com/aron_cumings/
Geovanni Baker - https://www.instagram.com/gobmedia7/
Phillip Holmes - https://www.instagram.com/philljesse/
Creative Designer: Julianne Walker-Thompson - https://www.instagram.com/ladyjujington/
Tailor: Cavell McDermott - https://www.instagram.com/levacdesigns/
SPECIAL THANKS
Jamaica Cultural Development Commission - https://www.instagram.com/jcdcjamaica/
Gregory Simms - https://www.instagram.com/gregbsimms/
