Fresh face, fresh sound Keida makes a stir

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Singjay Keida has provided a breath of fresh air to the Jamaican music scene, now sets her sights on taking her island flair to the music mainlands.

The old-school flavoured Jamaican Boys signalled Keida's arrival on the music scene in 2009. Since then, she has blended her eclectic musical tastes into a unique sound.

That sound has made Makeida 'Keida' Beckford a consistent face in music.

Though she is a past student of the Edna Manly College of the Visual and Performing Arts where she pursued the visual arts, Keida's official start in music wasn't planned.

"I started doing music in March 2009 when Craig 'Leftside' Parks encouraged me to sing a hook on one of his songs, Shortly after, I recorded and released my first single, Jamaican Boys, for his label, Keepleft Records."

That hit bubbled on the airwaves, getting the singjay's voice out.

While she mainly sang on Jamaican Boys, Keida soon showed off her deejaying skills with her follow up, Can't Let You Go and Hot It Up.

Since then, she has worked with the likes of Birchill Records, Chimney Records, Don Corleon Productions, Jam2 Productions and Precision Productions of Trinidad.

"I think my sound is eclectic because I draw inspiration from many different aspects of music and life. I think the versatility of my styles is what people find unique and refreshing," she said.

The singjay has been no stranger to the live-music circuit, having performed at events for Manifesto Jamaica, in Negril, and Ocho Rios, making a stint on school tours as well.

She has also performed in Barbados and Trinidad. Between performing, Keida has been busy in the studio experimenting with her sound.

Collaborations

Keida recently released a collaboration with rising star Protoje for Don Corleon, All Again, and has now ventured into the soca arena. The singer joined forces with soca great Shurwayne Winchester for the feel-good song, Good Vibration. The two recently shot a video for the collaboration in Jamaica.

The experience has been good for Keida.

"I wouldn't say I've experienced any 'real' challenges so far. I don't take things too seriously and I've never found it easy to hold a grudge so before anyone or anything creates a problem for me I either find a solution or release it and move on to the positive," she said.

Though she said she doesn't take things too seriously, Keida has big expectations.

"Well I'd love to be touring Asia or Europe, bringing my music to the world and enjoying the experience of doing that," she said.