If you had told Aza Lineage four years ago that she would be part of a chart-topping album, she probably would not have believed you. The roots reggae singer is one of several artistes featured on the album Havana Meets Kingston, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Reggae chart following its release last month.

Speaking with Splash, Aza Lineage said she had no intention of being an artiste.

“I was actually working as an entertainment coordinator at Breezes Hotel; music wasn’t on my mind,” she confessed.

The project, produced by Australian Mista “Jake” Savona, features musicians from Cuba and Jamaica such as Frank Solis, David Suarez, Barbarito Torres of the Buena Vista Social Club, Sizzla Kalonji, Leroy Sibbles, Sly and Robbie, and Turbulence.

“Savona went for the best Jamaican and Cuban musicians in the industry to create and write the music. I sing the title track, Where I’m From, which speaks about growing up in the inner city, especially as a youth. It is so easy to speak about the regular side, but I chose to sing about things to uplift and encourage people from the inner city,” said Aza Lineage.

The singer is aware of the time and hard work it takes to break through the mainstream market, but is still satisfied with her growth as an artiste since she first came on the scene.

Aza Lineage, given name Dana Bernard, had returned to her community in Hermitage, Kingston 7, in 2014, where she met the Lineage Family who influenced her to do music.

“They are a group of artistes who didn’t necessarily sing together, but they went to events like Dub Club where they offered open nights. This allowed me to start performing,” she said.

Music soon became her escape.

The 28-year-old has since fused her love for reggae, dancehall and hip hop music to create her own sound, which she believes is being well received by Jamaicans.

“I know that the Jamaican crowd is hard to please and you have to put in a lot of work. But everywhere I go people show me love. Some even say I have pulling power because people will just come in from anywhere when I perform.”

Aza Lineage is hoping to impact people in a positive way through her music. The singer is now working on her debut album with producer King Jammy for release next year.

— Sade Gardner