Budding female artiste from Old Harbour anxious to ‘Crack Di Code’ in dancehall

Though easier said than done Kimberly Bryan seems certainly up to the challenge following her debut release of ‘Choices’ before dropping ‘Dark Storm’  latest single  ‘Crack Di Code’ – all done this year.

The 22-year-old native of Davis district – three miles north of Old Harbour town centre – is a third year student at the University of Technology (UTech) pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental health, majoring in public health. That’s Plan B however, as “I want to do music full time” being her ultimate dream. 

In an intereview with Old Harbour News the budding artiste, who goes by the moniker ‘Kae-Bee’, is prepared to do the hard yards in order to claim a piece of the dancehall pie.

“I'm putting in the work. My catalogue will do the talking because I believe that hard work pays off. I am not looking for a shortcut to get where I want to get. I feel like women face challenges in the music industry because they don't want to do the work. Everybody a look a shortcut,” said the Glenmuir High School past student.

The fourth of five children for her parents, Kae-Bee was always seen as a gifted child, who has been writing her own poems. But the young poet’s craft evolved into song writing which pushed her to be discovered by producer College Boi of the upcoming Permafrass Label.

‘Choices’ and ‘Dark Storm’ were quickly release, while her latest single ‘Crack Di Code’ was produced by Valentino Records and officially went public on November 1.

Described as versatile and creative, Kae-Bee packs a different punch from the average artiste already in the business. She aspires to be like none, contending “these artistes aren't really role models if you ask me”.

“But Jah Vinci has been and still is my favorite artiste,” she adds, while pointing to his “lyrical content and passion” as elements that resonate with her.

Inspiration though for Kae-Bee comes from her mother, but her dad is “the proudest that I chose music” after he made an unsuccessful attempt in his early life.

“My community has taught me some of my greatest life lessons. It has taught me that despite what people say about you, you just have to keep your head up and do what you doing.

“They say a man has no honour in his own city and I'm a living testimony of that,” said Kae-Bee. 

“But there are good people there and because of that, whenever I'm at the place to adequately 'give back to the community' I'll do so, and do it wholeheartedly.”

She added: “My mother is the strongest human being I know and she has a kind heart. The amount of sacrifices she has made so that her kids can live comfortably is infinite. If you listen to my music, I speak of her in most if not all.

“So when I want to write a love song, I think of the love she has for her kids and the love I have for her. When I want to write a song about the struggle, I think of all the struggles she went through. When I want to write a song about being strong you know the rest.”