With the release of her first song on January 16, singer MG Liz felt the emotions many artistes have when making their debut.

Love Up is the title of that track which features Derajah.

A roots-reggae number, it is co-produced by Derajah and Bruno Dupre of Brazil.

“It’s really something. I’m beyond excited, but I’m also nervous because this takes everything to another level. At the same time, I feel so grateful, there’s just so much happening all at once,” MG Liz told the Jamaica Observer.

Love Up is one of many songs she worked on during the past year with Derajah, a veteran artiste who has performed throughout Europe and in Brazil. Through his links in that South American country, he recruited Dupre, who played guitar, bass, drums and horns on the single.

MG Liz, who was born in Kingston and raised in Redwood, St Catherine, points to Marcia Griffiths, Gladys Knight, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey among her influences.

In early 2025 she started working on songs, hoping they would be good enough to record. Love Up confirmed her potential.

“About 90 per cent of these songs have been recorded with Derajah as producer. I’ve also done a recording for a Swedish producer and another for an American producer. People are responding well to my sound, they’re genuinely interested in what I do,” she said.