Special-ed teacher quits it all for music

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

A special-education teacher in New York, Khalilah Rose recently quit her job to pursue music in an effort to help bring change to the world.

Rose was born in Jamaica but migrated to the United States before she was three years old. A special-education teacher in New York for years, the calm-sounding artiste left her job and returned to Jamaica only a few months ago.

She explained that she left the job because "they wouldn't allow me to do certain things". She said she was not being given the opportunity to visit Jamaica on a regular basis to pursue her music career.

Singing professionally for five years, Rose said she has always been singing as she was a member of her school choir.

"I just felt like it is something that I was called to do. The passion is instilled in me so I decided to use music as a tool," she told The Sunday Gleaner.

Now in Jamaica, Rose said she plans to spread her positive message. She said she will be performing at Sting in December and Rebel Salute in January. During the time here, she also has plans of working with numerous producers.

Great ambition

"I just make sure that I keep the Almighty as what drives me. I pray that Jah will take me as far as he sees fit. My ambition is to bring change for the good in the world. I pray that my music reaches global," she said.

With conscious songs like No Guns on Carl James' Deeper rhythm, Not Giving Up and Destiny, Rose says she sings roots reggae music on topics like repatriation, improvement of society and giving praise to a greater being. Even if she collaborates with artistes from other genres, the artiste says she will maintain her reggae sound.

Currently backed by Big Boss Band, she is colourful and fluid as her taste for music does not only span the reggae scene, but reaches across boundaries. She has worked with notable producers like James, Bobby Digital, Phillip Smart and Fifth Element Records. She has also shared stages with other acts like Capelton, Luciano, Gyptian, India Arie, Etana, Yami Bolo, Everton Blender and Turbulence.

Mixtape

Previously, Rose did a mixtape, but now she is promoting her album Zion's Lullaby. She said the album has collaborations like Jah Is Living with Lutan Fyah, and United And Be Strong with Turbulence.

"United And Be Strong focuses on us not dividing ourselves politically. It's an excellent song for the time," she said, in reference to the general election that will take place in a few days.

In comparison to her mixtape, Rose said the album showcases her as an artiste and her experiences.

"I feel like when I was recording my album I was going through a lot of changes in my life so those experiences came off in my album," Rose said.

"My expectation is that it's internationally accepted. I just want to help improve the world 'cause music is one of the most powerful tools in media," Rose told The Sunday Gleaner.