Ishawna gets big ‘Payday’
ISHAWNA signed her first international record deal with New York-based record label Payday Records last Tuesday. The details of the deal were, however, not made public.
The 33-year-old dancehall singjay took to Instagram to share the news with her nearly 900,000 followers through several photos, alongside Jamaican producer Cordell “Skatta” Burrell and label founder Patrick Moxey.
“Signed, sealed, and ready to deliver!!” she wrote on the popular social media website. “I am super excited to announced that I just signed my first international record deal. Thank you Patrick Moxey @paydayrecords @ultrapublishing and the entire team. I’m so grateful to have you [be] a part of my journey. Thank you @skattaburrell for always believing in me; I’m so happy to share this moment with you. To my amazing fans and everyone that believed in me, Thank You!!!!! This is only the beginning. Team Ishy let’s go!!! ” she added.
Burrell also took to social media to congratulate Ishawna on her achievement.
“I don’t stop until it’s done. Congratulations @mslegendary on signing your first international record deal. Patrick Moxey, we finally made it happen and we about to do great things,” he wrote.
Launched in 1992 by Patrick Moxey, Payday Records began in association with FFRR/London Records, and released in UK and Europe via London/ PolyGram Records. Artistes launched via Payday Records include Jay Z, Madd Circle, Showbiz & AG and Jeru the Damaja. Jamaican entertainer Omi has also worked with the record label.
Ishawna’s deal follows on the heels of her recent collaboration with British singer Ed Sheeran on the single Brace It. The song reached number one for Top Reggae songs on the iChart on its debut in June.
Born in Kingston, Ishawna (whose full name Ishawna Smith) grew up between Seaview Gardens in the Corporate Area and Brooklyn, New York. She relocated to Jamaica in 2005 and was subsequently taken under the wings of Bounty Killer. She was previously signed to the Joe Bogdanovich-led DownSound Records label, but severed ties in 2016.
Her songs include Slippery When Wet, Equal Rights, Restraining Order, and Everybody Need Someone.
