Singer Sa-Fiya enjoyed some success in Haiti during the late 1990s with all-female quartet 4×4. She is eyeing even greater triumphs in Jamaica with her latest song Smillie, Smillie.

Written and produced by Bobby Treasure for Treasure Productions, the uptempo single features bass guitarist Glen Browne, guitarist Dalton Browne, keyboardist Robbie Lyn and drummer Kirk Bennett.

That veteran cast ensured Sa-Fiya and Treasure got the desired sound.

“I was going for an old-school vibe,” she said.

Raised in Cockburn Gardens, Kingston, Sa-Fiya moved with her parents to Haiti as a pre-teen and lived there for 15 years. Her father was employed in the capital, Port-Au-Prince, which had a diverse cultural scene.

While living in Haiti, Sa-fiya was part of 4×4 whose music was a blend of Zouk and Compas, as well as rap, dancehall and reggae. The vocal group achieved national prominence in 1999 with the song Voom Voom Voom, released during Carnival that year.

“Being in another country I made sure not to forget where I came from. The radio stations and DJs in Haiti are usually updated with the latest songs that come out of Jamaica,” said Sa-Fiya, whose influences include Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Wayne Wonder and Whitney Houston.

Treasure is also producing her first album, scheduled for release next year.

—Howard Campbell