NORWEGIAN-born, Jamaica-based reggae singer Orisha Sound has teamed with singjay Wowski to officially launch Fighting Crime with Rhymes Foundation at 26 Lady Musgrave Road in St Andrew this evening.

In an interview with the

Jamaica Observer, Orisha Sound said when she was approached by Wowski she immediately jumped on board.

“I felt his initiative and the cause right away. I have taught at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles and I miss doing so. I really want to make a difference in these kids life, so we are planning to do big things with the foundation,” she said.

Fighting Crime with Rhymes Foundation is the brainchild of Wowski (given name Ricardo McCalpin), a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Started in 2013, the programme involves fighting crime with music. So far Wowski has visited over 50 schools across Jamaica. Among those visited are Paul Bogle High in St Thomas, Port Antonio High in Portland, Charlie Smith High and Calabar High in Kingston, and Ewarton High in St Catherine.

Orisha Sound’s role in the foundation is to lead a group of professional music/art/music therapy teachers, and organise field trips to the schools islandwide. The group will develop curricula for students to motivate them musically.

Also on board are Berri, Nae Nae, Bryan Art, and Anthony Que.

Born Orisha Pelzer in Oslo, Norway, Orisha Sound is of Russian and Brazilian parentage. Trained in the classics, she plays a number of instruments and has toured Europe and the United States as a singer, musician, and/or dancer.

— Simone Morgan