It is not often that we hear of emerging reggae groups. It is even rarer, when we find such a band, to realise that it is an all-female group!

The five-member band Adahzeh is proving to be a refreshing change from the sounds we have come to expect from young girl groups. Though their style of music is somewhat influenced by dancehall and EDM/pop, the group produces predominantly reggae music.

The group is the brainchild of Karissa “Rissa” Palmer (keyboard), a St Jago High past student, who dreamt of being in a band. When she set out to find band mates, she did not have to look far to find her bass guitarist, her sister Chevanese. The other three members were located through various means by founding member Karissa. They are Kadian Hamilton (lead vocalist), Tashana Barnett (drums) and Tara-Dean Williamson (guitar).

The girls met, rehearsed and bonded. Soon they were so familiar that their names were reduced to Rissa, Chevy, Kady, Tash and Tara. But now that they had a band, they needed a name. A friend suggested “Adahzeh”, which means “The King’s Daughters”, and they rolled with it.

Fast forward three years, many live performances and two singles later, Adahzeh is rising to their throne in reggae music. The girls, who are all between the ages of 18 and 23, are still reeling from the excitement of performing at the greatest Reggae show on earth – Sumfest. They gave an electric performance covering Reggae classics with their contemporary sound, then giving the audience a taste of their newest single Island Girl.

“The Sumfest experience was GREAT! We were very grateful for the opportunity of being apart of the show! The experience on that big stage was one of a kind and of course, it’s our biggest event yet, but how much better can it get? It’s the greatest Reggae show on earth!” Rissa, the group leader, told

teenAGE.

Adahzeh is now working on their debut EP Journey, which they hope to release later this month. It will feature previously released songs like Caliente Girls and Island Girl, along with new material to keep their hungry new fans satiated.

Along with their recent accomplishments, there are still challenges, the group told

teenAGE. One such challenge is a lack of funds to travel. “We recently put on our own Fundraising Concert titled Reggae in the Vineyard at the M-10 Restaurant. Funds were raised in order for us to attend the World Reggae Contest in Poland this summer as we are one of the five finalists,” they said. The ladies are also still figuring out group dynamics and learning to work with their different personalities.

Despite these obstacles, however, Adahzeh says “We think we have been through the worst, so we are now looking forward to the greener pastures.” The band is determined to overcome and reach their goal of being one of the most awarded groups in the history of music, and to inspire people, especially young females.