TWENTY-TWO years ago, when they recorded the song Love is Wicked, the members of the sister duo Brick & Lace knew they had a hit on their hands.

Last Friday the song, which blew up on social media platform over the past year thanks to a dance challenge, was certified silver in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streaming equivalent of 200,000 units.

Love is Wicked is included on the duo’s album of the same name, which was released in 2007 via Geffen Records/180 Entertainment/Kon Live. Nailah “Nyla” Thorbourne of Brick & Lace was unaware of the song’s latest achievement when the Jamaica Observer contacted her on the weekend.

“I feel happy about it. For a long time Love is Wicked never really caught on in the UK the same way it did in certain territories, like France or Sweden, but to know it’s getting its due now in such a big way is very gratifying,” Nyla told the Observer.

Written by Nyla and her siblings Nyanda and Tasha Thorbourne, Love is Wicked was first recorded in 2004 and was featured on Steven “Lenky” Marsden’s inescapable Diwali rhythm.

Three years later, after the duo signed to Geffen, the song was re-recorded and re-released.

“The original version of the song was recorded in Canada but then we re-recorded it in Los Angeles. Lenky Marsden did the original production of the song. Ron Fair [former chairman of Geffen Records], who was head at Geffen at the time when we were signed, took the track and revamped or revised it a bit. We knew the song was special and it was one we always championed for at label,” Nyla explained.

Love is Wicked was a hit locally and earned the duo several awards at the then Youth View Awards, held at the National Indoor Sports Arena.

The song wasn’t a hit in the United States, but it scaled several charts in Europe, including #37 in Belgium, #6 in Finland, #4 in France, #13 in Norway, #27 in Sweden, #63 in Switzerland, and #13 on the Billboard European Hot 100 chart.

“I think we were surprised how big it got in Africa. We knew the song had the makings of a hit record we just didn’t know how big it would spread around the world. The success of the song gave us the opportunity to travel and perform in so many different countries around the world.

We have met prime ministers and have been in the homes of dignitaries,” Nyla recalled.

Love is Wicked has to date sold more than 120,000 units in France.

The song is featured on the Bratz: Motion Picture Soundtrack which was released by Geffen Records. It previously earned gold certifications in France and Portugal.

After Brick & Lace went in hiatus in 2013, the sisters focused on solo projects. Nyanda is in real estate and Nyla is promoting her shapewear line Vlair Shapewear.

Now residing in Florida, Nyla was on the island last week for the coronation of the 2026 Miss Jamaica World pageant. One of the contestants, Skye Gibson Moo Young wore the sash Miss Vlair Shapewear.

Nyla says the duo has reunited and will be releasing new music early next year.

“We are looking to put out some Brick & Lace records probably at the top of the year. For now, I have been mainly focused on promoting my shapewear line Vlair Shapewear and Nyanda has been focused on her real estate. The fans will just have to hear when it comes out. Just know whatever we do it always has that global appeal,” she shared.