Reggae is Russian singer Orisha’s chosen sound
KINGSTON, Jamaica — After a positive 2013, singer Orisha Sound is looking forward to even bigger things in the New Year.
The 24 year-old Russian singer’s song, Embrace It (with Sizzla), made several reggae charts and is her best known recording since entering the reggae fray 10 years ago.
Her follow-up single, Sunshine Lady with singer Wayne Daniels, was recently released and is also produced by Shel-K Records.
The Norway-born Orisha has been living in Jamaica since January and says the vibe from dancehall fans has been favourable.
“The people here are very cool and friendly. They love my music because my sound is familiar to them even though my style is new and different,” she said.
Orisha Sound was born Orisha Pelzer. She moved to Russia when she was four-years-old and grew up in St Petersburg, where she attended the city’s music conservatory.
Classically trained, she plays a number of instruments and prior to her reggae venture, toured Europe and the United States as a singer/musician/dancer.
Orisha says her first real link with Jamaican music came when she performed at the Moscow Reggae Festival 10 years ago.
Her first album, CUPID, was a mix of hip hop, dancehall and European techno. Her second, due in early 2014, is all Jamaican.
“This my base now, Jamaica is my new home. My band is also from here and we are based in Kingston,” she said. “Since I’ve been living in Jamaica I have learned a lot more about reggae and dancehall music. I love the culture here.”
Orisha Sound will perform at GT Taylor’s Christmas Reggae Extravaganza at Independence Park in Black River, St Elizabeth on Wednesday.
