Jah9 album launch signals growing popularity

It's rare for local artistes to chart on international reggae charts based on the dominance of foreign reggae acts who reside in core sales markets.

Jah9 currently charts at number three in Switzerland and nine in Germany. iTunes, owned by US-based Apple, is the world's largest online music store.

Her charting, however, isn't void of a local fan base as literally hundreds came to Redbones Blues Café in Kingston for her Tuesday night album launch. The album is released under the Rorystonelove label.

She said of her success it's "not I but the will of the Most High".

Draped in the philosophy of red, green and gold, Jah9 and the 14 member band played a 45-minute set.

The set included a cameo by deejay Protoje, while singer Chronixx assumed the position of flag waver throughout .

Contrastingly, the stage also held a bearer of a religious staff who stood with militant reverence, remaining completely still throughout the entire set.

Her set included Jungle, Intentions, Mr Right, Avocado, Legitimate, Preacher Man and New Name.

Her sound

Jah9's choruses embody the jazz melody of a Billie Holiday and the deejay attack of Sizzla during verses, while the band provides a heavy dub that ebbs and flows.

It's a sound she developed in the underground poetry and live music scene after quitting corportate Jamaica some four years ago.

Her most notable single was Warning, the 2011 track voted as song of the year by Germany-based RIDDIM magazine.

The musicians included a percussionist, drummer, bassist, two backup singers, guitarist, melodica player, two keyboards, flutist and a three-man horn section.

Jah9, the daughter of a preacher and teacher, embarked on a full-time music career back in 2008/9. Along the way she became a yogi and philanthropist, while partnering with youth group Manifesto Jamaica.