Kat Harlton
Photos provided via PR team
Toronto-based reggae-fusion artist Ammoye recently received a JUNO Award nomination for Reggae Recording of The Year for her incredible song, “Stir This Thing”.
Produced by Donesome Records, “Stir This Thing” is a reggae dancehall tune that features a collaboration between Ammoye and reggae vocalist Turbulence. The track captures the essence of revitalizing a stagnant relationship.
Seven-time JUNO Award-nominee Ammoye presents an innovative and unique reggae sound that blends elements of old-school rocksteady, dancehall, soul, and R&B. With an infectious voice and messages of empowerment, Jamaican-born Ammoye is a lightworker and self-declared soul rebel.
Ammoye’s sophomore album, Water (2021), earned her a 2023 JUNO Award nomination for “Reggae Recording Of The Year” and was considered for a Grammy Award. Later this year, she plans to release her forthcoming album The Shift, which will delve deeper into themes of realignment and harmony amidst the transformational phases of our lives.
Additionally, she has had the privilege of performing around the world, including shows at COMA Fest Brazil, Mundial Montreal, Rideau Festival Quebec, Mariposa Folk Festival, Northern Lights Festival Boréal, Bout de Monde Festival and AFROFEST Africa.
I had the opportunity to chat with Ammoye about her 2024 Juno Award Nomination, finding inspiration, and what’s next.
Kat: Can you share with us a bit about yourself and your music journey so far?
Ammoye: I started my music journey at the very young age of around 3yrs old. Singing in the church choir at my church in Jamaica. I was raised by my very strict grandparents Hazel & Lloyd Russell. My grandmother encouraged my siblings and I to follow in the family’s footsteps of singing in the church. At moments when she could afford it we were able to take vocal lessons but most of my training came from the church choir. Which at first I dreaded because I was very shy & nervous back then about my singing. In my teenage years I was more confident dancing in a dance group I started called princess 5. However because of the consistency of singing every Sunday & Friday I inevitably fell in love with music and singing. So much so I started writing poems and turning those into songs, which activated and started my songwriting journey. I enjoyed writing and I would practice singing my songs on top of the mango trees in our back land singing out to the animals, birds and trees. I love nature and this period gave me a lot more confidence. I started to study my main influence in music at the time and still is today, Bob Marley. He was the only artist outside of gospel music that my grandmother would allow us to listen to. I loved how the songs he wrote were just so relatable and profoundly relevant to the times then and even still today. My intention from then was to also create music & songs that activate, uplift, motivate, inspire & heal people. I also loved artists like Sade, who I would sneak and listen to in private whenever I got a chance. I admired just how effortlessly and smooth she delivered her music and how she had her own unique sound. She inspired me to create music from a place of authenticity, heart & soul… following my intuition and trusting it. Another huge influence on me and my music was also the legend Grace Jones. I loved her fierceness and how unapologetically she expressed herself. After my grandmother transitioned I then migrated to Toronto to live with my Mother. I joined her church, Dundas Street church of god and continued to sing in the church choir. I then later was a part of a quartet called “Sisters in Christ” with my younger sister and two other girls from my church. We sang at different church events but there was a calling on my heart to pursue a career singing my original songs, especially seeing people like Jully Black who at the time was doing it professionally and she inspired me to be brave and take the leap. I was attending Seneca College at the time studying Travel & Tourism to become a flight attendant. I quickly realized though that I would be starving my soul to feed my pocket, if I continued down that path and so I decided that was not the road I wanted to take. I dropped out of that program and made the decision to go after my soul calling, music full time and it was the best decision I ever made and the rest is HerStory.
Kat: You were recently nominated for the 2024 JUNO Award for Reggae Recording of The Year for your song, “Stir This Thing”. How does it feel to be nominated for this award?
Ammoye: I feel humbled and honoured to be nominated again by the Juno Awards for my song “Stir This Thing”! This is now my 7th nomination and the feeling doesn’t get old. I’m just as excited and thrilled to be acknowledged for my works. I get a sense of accomplishment, appreciation & gratitude to be recognized for the hard work I have dedicated into what I do, to create the best works that I am very passionate about and privileged to be able to have the opportunity to share with others who are like minded and who resonate with my music. I am super stoked & and proud to be nominated!
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind “Stir This Thing” and what it was like collaborating with Turbulence?
Ammoye: The inspiration behind “Stir This Thing” first is a subtle ode to my biggest influence Bob Marley and his song “Stir it up”. Like I said earlier he inspired & still inspires me in so many ways when it comes to the music I make. Stir This Thing is speaking to any relationship that is at a point lying dormant & stagnant and is no longer flowing. The song is initiating a conscious stirring and shaking up of things so that the flow of energy can be brought back into the relationship where the relationship can be brought back to life and be restored, renewed and fulfilling.
What it was like collaborating with Turbulence for me was one of exhilaration and a dream come true to be honest, as he is officially the first mainstream reggae artist that I’ve even worked with! I love the music he makes and how he writes. Lyrics for me are normally the first thing I hear when I listen to songs and I just love his lyrical content and style so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work together on this track with him because I consider him a master at what he does. He’s truly talented and gifted and so I felt very grateful for the opportunity to work with Turbulence.
Kat: What have you learned along the way, that you would like to share with other aspiring artists and creators?
Ammoye: I have learned so much it would take a long time to write it all here but the most valuable lessons I would mention is learning to trust myself and trust my gut instincts and intuition, that inner voice within. Also it’s so vital and important to never give up on yourself ever. It’s especially poignant as a female and as an artist to have a sense of knowing, know who you are and always stand up for yourself and what you believe. Never give away your power to others but do what you need to do to empower yourself and stay true to your values, morals and what feels authentic to you. I am always open to learning, growing and expanding, gaining more wisdom that I am privileged to experience from my journey and whenever appropriate I am always happy to share those learnings that I have gained. It is very important to give back when you can. Another good one is never burn bridges too quickly but know when to create and put in place appropriate boundaries for your own happiness, self care and mental health.
Kat: What else can we expect from you for the balance of 2024?
Ammoye: What you can expect from me for the balance of the year is more music, more elevation as I move forward, creating the career I desire. I am currently writing and recording my new album “The Shift” which will be released in the fall, September of this year. Other than working on that, just more performances across Canada and the world has I continue to build my fan base. Another exciting venture for me as well is a couple projects I am creating and working on… one of which is the release of the first of three books I have written coming out as well this year. Another is a soft seat theatre project around “My Reggae Story” which is a celebration of all the female pioneers in reggae that have inspired and influenced me and my music, telling the story and journey through music & song. So we’re cooking up lots of great things to come from my team and I, that I’m excited to share with you all! So stay tuned and thank you so much! – Lightworker Ammoye.
Connect:
Instagram: @ammoyesmusic
Twitter: @AmmoyesMusic
Facebook: /AmmoyesMusic
Website: https://www.ammoye.com