IN most of the 10 years she has been in the music business, Krysi Webb has been a backup singer for top dancehall/reggae artistes. She is preparing to go out front on her latest project.

Webb, 23, is the face of the Juk, a new sound created by musician/producer Diavallan ‘Dia’ Fearon. It debuts in June with two songs by the diminutive singer: I Can’t Live Without You and a cover of Millie Small’s My Boy Lollipop.

The songs are also the first releases for Webb, who is from the hilly Newcastle region of St Andrew.

After doing backing vocals on songs by artistes such as Aidonia, Fantan Mojah and Luciano, Webb said it’s good to be out front, especially on a fresh concept.

“I love it, it’s different. It’s uptempo; I’m used to doing slower songs, so it’s good to venture outside my comfort zone,” she told Splash.

Influenced by Etana, Queen Ifrica and Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan, Webb has been recording since she was in 11th grade at Papine High School. She cut a handful of songs for OverDo It Records in Papine, but none of those productions were released.

She has sharpened her vocals and studio technique by doing a lot of background work in the last year. The Juk, she said, allows her to show off another side.

“It’s real uptempo so I get to show that I’m a dancer as well.”

— Howard Campbell