Khole Baldeo is an Island Girl
Even though she’s from Grenada, singer Khole Baldeo says the music from Jamaica has been her inspiration. Her debut single Island Girl, which was released late last year, incorporates elements of dancehall and pop.
“I grew up on Jamaican music. Bob Marley and his music inspired the energy I gave to music very early in my journey. I grew up listening to dancehall artistes like Shaggy, Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel, Buju, Sizzla, Lady Saw, and Tanya Stephens. I was inspired by the courage, storytelling, melodic flow and writing styles of these artistes. In more recent times, Shenseea has inspired me with her work ethic and drive and she’s a great example of Caribbean women doing music on an international stage,” Baldeo told the Jamaica Observer.
The song tells the story of two people who want each other but neither is willing to make the first move.
Baldeo is from the north east of Grenada’s capital St George’s.
“Musically, I bring out my authentic Caribbean ‘rude girl’ roots and my free-spirited nature and that’s the vibe I want to share with the rest of the world. My sound can be quite eclectic while infusing a Caribbean sound,” she said.
She continued, “The support at home in Grenada has been huge. Island Girl has been played on stations regionally in Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua as well as in the UK and the US. It is nice to see the German market is really loving it. Grenada is waiting for a star to emerge and I’m here for it.”
She concedes that being exposed to dancehall and Caribbean culture in her youth shaped her life and artistry.
“It was impactful in finding my sound, flow and rhythm just being around the vibes. Other genres of music have been impactful as well but the way dancehall made me feel was a new confidence, from connecting to the riddims and feeling myself to the lyrics, that introduced a new way of expression for me.”