What a woman wants, or has in a relationship, inspired INique to write Happy, her recently released song, produced by Hopeton Lindo for Irie Pen Records.

She told the Jamaica Observer that what her sisters look for in love has baffled their male counterparts for centuries. With Happy, INique attempts to break down that puzzle.

“Happy is what most women like myself aspire to be, and I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to contribute some inspiration to the lot of us women who may be already happy in our relationships, and just want to love up on our men, or others of us who may realise that, hey! This ain’t it! The latter will hopefully do the self-work, make the necessary adjustments within their lives to be in happier and healthier situations and relationships,” she said.

Recorded on the Favorite ‘riddim’, Happy is the South Florida-based singer’s latest collaboration with Lindo, who has produced several of her songs.

With topic in mind, INique said there was no problem writing Happy.

“First, I listen to the riddim repeatedly to feel out the energy that it brings, and from there, more times than less, the ideas will begin to flow. Thereafter, it’s a matter of determining the message of the song and structuring the lyrics to that effect,” she explained.

From St Mary, INIque was born Monique McDonald. Influenced by a diverse list if artistes from soul singers Anita Baker and Alicia Keys to reggae giants Bob Marley and Beres Hammond and soca star Machel Montano, she made her recording debut eight years ago with Man Next Door.

She has had a steady flow of releases since, including Give it Up which is produced by Lindo.

Other songs on the Favorite rhythm are Favorite Girl by Lindo and The Best In Me by Sanchez.

– Howard Campbell