Hawaiian reggae and R&B is a fusion that Irie Love definitely combines with passion and style. I have listened to her many times on the local radio stations here on Hawaii. She is obviously no stranger to the reggae and R&B scene here in Hawaii. I have heard several of her songs, along with a few collaborations she has helped produce along the way. Her genre is better categorized within raggapop, R&B, and reggae fusion.
Her voice, sound, and style defines to me what a beautiful Hawaiian island voice sounds like when singing R&B and reggae in Hawaiian style. I sat for a while just trying to think who she may sound like to better describe her style but there is no other way to say it other than she has her own original sound. I could say her delivery is somewhat a bit of a Lauren Hill but not completely because her vocal tone with her own R&B flava just brings a new concoction of musical ingredients to the ears.
Irie Love was one of the finalists back in 1999 on a competition known as Brown Bags to Stardom in Honolulu, Hawaii. Soon after, she was signed to a record label and it was obvious her career in music was launched. When she moved to California in 2000, it was to pursue her studies in Music and Business. By 2002, she was already working as a backup singer and among the artists she was backup for were Pink, Dave Hollister, and Chaka Khan. In 2006, she relocated to Kingston, Jamaica and aimed to gain a solo career in reggae music. While there, she made it as one of the finalists on a local competition to tour around the country. It enabled her to further perform in front of many audiences. It also gave her the opportunity to be featured on local radio and media.
In 2007, Irie Love was signed to a production company, Gedion Music. After touring the world and performing as the opening act and backup singer, Irie Love released her first EP in October 2008. Her song was entitled “Ehiku”. In January 2009, she released her first album, The Life of Love. She currently moves between Los Angeles, London, and of course Hawaii. Her song “It Is Wut It Is” featuring Fiji and “My Love” have both reached No. 1 on the Hawaiian Reggae Charts.
It is clearly obvious that Irie Love offers an original voice and sound within the fusion of R&B and reggae. Although I love her music on radio, I yet need to hear her live. I believe it is one of the best ways to listen to a voice that is as beautiful as hers.
Here’s her cover song of Steel Pulse’s “Your House”:
