It is not often that ‘foreign’ artistes grace the stage at Original Dancehall Thursday (ODT).

On May 28, American singer Honey B made one of those rare appearances for the popular weekly Kingston show.

The California native, who lived in Jamaica as a child, performed on 11 shows during her visit. On most of them she did Not Easy and Rootsy, her latest songs.

Honey B says rubbing shoulders with veteran artistes at ODT was a special feeling.

“Performing at ODT was definitely memorable. Sharing the stage with Terror Fabulous, Lady G, and Snagga Puss was an honour, and the audience response to my lyrical style and stage presence was profoundly affirming,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “Juggling the mic with all the chaos and characters that make the event so popular and getting a couple of ‘forwards’ from the crew onstage was a lot of fun.”

Not Easy is produced by Lloyd Shaw, a Los Angeles-based Jamaican who operates the Issachar Musik label.

Rootsy was done for Red Lions, another Southern California company.

Honey B also appeared at Caveman’s Rub A Dub Garden, Beat Street Fridays, and Kingston Night Market. She described her latest journey to Jamaica as fulfilling.

“I’ve been performing at numerous events promoting my new single, Not Easy, along with my signature theme song, Rootsy, as well as participating in open mic sessions singjaying on all kinds of rhythms from classic to brand new,” she said. “Showcasing my versatility while networking with a lot of very talented artistes from Kingston and beyond has been a priceless experience.”

Honey B’s sound is a blend of the hard-core dancehall and roots-reggae music she first heard as a child living in Hanover and Westmoreland, where her mother was a teacher.

She points to Super Cat, Brigadier Jerry, Bunny Wailer, and Sister Carol among her biggest influences.

— Howard Campbell