FORMER Worl-A-Girl member Charmaine DaCosta recently launched her Limation Limeade drink in the United States.

The product, introduced to the market one year ago, is available in West Indian stores in New York City.

“I started Crude Food/Limation in 2012 because, having been downsized from a non-profit organisation, I wanted to feel a better sense of urgency over my own life, so I started a catering business,” said DaCosta. “I very quickly realised that I wanted to get into the manufactured food space and, having an affinity for limeade, I decided to coin the name Limation and put out my version of Jamaican Limeade.”

She also spoke about the product’s target market.

“Our audience is the quality-conscious consumer who wants a better alternative to the typical soft drinks.”

Limation Limeade comes in four flavours: Original (lime), Passion Fruit, Lavender and Watermelon. A tea version called Ghograjan will be released in January.

Born in Stony Hill, St Andrew, DaCosta is a former student of Ardenne High in the same parish. She was also the lead vocalist of Worl-A-Girl, a four-member Rhythm and Blues/reggae group that was signed to Chaos Recordings, a subsidiary of Sony Music.

Formed in 1990, its other members were Linda Scott (from Brooklyn), Sophia Wilks (from London), and Sabrina Cohen (from Trinidad and Tobago).

During their heyday, Worl-A-Girl enjoyed strong rotation on BET and MTV with the video for No Woman No Cry, a cover of the Marley standard. The song was produced by rapper Daddy O of the hip hop group Stetasonic.

Their self-titled debut album reached number 13 on Billboard’s Reggae Album Chart in May 1994.

DaCosta explained that contrary to rumour, the group did not have a bitter break-up.

“The group didn’t split; I had a baby and decided I wanted to spend time with her. I also thought that I was too old at the time for the dancehall scene and it was best to do music in a different way. In hindsight, that was probably premature,” she said.

Since leaving Worl-A-Girl, DaCosta has done several projects, including the inspirational songs, A Prayer and Love, Joy, Hope, Peace. She also earned two educational degrees and is an associate pastor of her church in Harlem.