Shauna Controlla is back and, if her recent Reggae Sumfest appearance was any indication, the dancehall artiste has no intention of letting another seven years pass before fans hear from her again.

The entertainer made her return to the Sumfest stage recently, delivering a brief set that marked her first appearance at the festival since 2019.

For the artiste, stepping back on one of Jamaica’s biggest musical stages was less about nostalgia and more about rediscovering her rhythm.

“It was awesome being back on a Sumfest stage, to get back that feeling, fall back into that groove, and feel that growth,” she said. “I think I did great and people were talking about it, so it was good. I know the next time they choose me to come on this platform will be greater.”

And she may not be waiting long to give fans something else to talk about.

Shauna Controlla says she has “a tonne” of new music waiting in the wings, but is deliberately taking her time with the releases, rather than rushing to put everything out at once.

“I’m just taking my time and getting them out one by one,” she said.

Shuana Controlla (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

The roll-out has already begun with a collaboration featuring Vybz Kartel, a track she says she had been sitting on for more than a year before she finally released it.

But there is more.

An EP is also in the works as the artiste is currently sorting through her catalogue to determine which songs will make the final cut. Most of the material, she revealed, was produced by her, adding another layer to what fans can expect.

“I just need to go through all the tracks and decide what I’m going to put on there,” she said. “Most of them were produced by me. You just have to wait and see how that turns out, but I can guarantee it will be solid.”

While she is keen on keeping the details of the project close, the entertainer insists her return to the music scene will not go unnoticed.

— Shereita Grizzle