HAVING a Caribbean background, American singer Zhavea says she has always had a strong appreciation for the region’s culture.

For her latest song, Spotlight, she teams with singjay Mr Vegas and is banking on it to give her a profile in Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean.

“Having a song with an amazing artiste like Mr Vegas is a great stepping stone. I hope it will open doors for me in this industry,” she said.

Spotlight is released and marketed by J’ouvert Records, an independent company based in New York City. It is the follow-up to last year’s Tun-up which announced her dancehall debut.

Her first single, Shut it Down, was released in 2011.

Zhavea was born in New York City to a Grenadian mother. Much of her family still lives on the Spice Isle.

Pop and soca stars Rihanna and Alison Hinds of Barbados and Jamaicans Bob Marley, Shaggy, Shabba Ranks and Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley are among her Caribbean influences.

Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Aaliyah are also high on her list of favourite artistes. Zhavea plans to record a dancehall album with several Jamaican producers this year.

— Howard Campbell