For decades, Jamaican artistes have covered songs by ‘foreign’ acts to get their big break at home. Add Alijay to that long list with her dancehall take on Muni Long’s Hrs And Hrs.

Her version was released in June by Chris Knight Music Group which also produced the track.

“I didn’t do anything really different vocally than change the R&B style that the song was sang in originally to a more modern reggae type of vibe. I slowed down the tempo a little bit and peaked my vocals,” said Alijay.

It was Knight who suggested she cover Hrs And Hrs, a Billboard Hot 100 hit for early this year. He thought Alijay’s “sensual sound” would add a different dimension to the original.

The 22-year-old, who is from St Catherine, has been recording for five years. Her songs include Obvious, Rejection and Time Up; the latter is a collaboration with deejay Chuck Starr.

Although her first official song came out in 2017, Alijay has been doing the studio rounds since childhood.

“My first time going to a studio was when I was about six years old. My dad took my brother and I to our first studio to record our first song. And I’ve been recording here and there ever since,” she said.