Please don’t let goodness die in the world- Up close with Queen Ifrica

By Solomon Koko | 7yrs ago | 3 min read

Pulse: Recently when you flew through Ethiopia, you were yelling ‘His majesty’ at the airport. What does Haile Selassie mean to you?

Ifrica: I am a member of the Rastafarian community. We as the Rastafarians in Jamaica Hail HIM (His Imperial Majesty) as our god and king. We see him has our black God.

P: What does your name Queen Ifrica mean and how did it come by?

I: My family had a unique way of naming based on our Rastafarian community principles. All The Women from the Rastafarian community are called Queens and Ifrica was given to me by my mother. However, it was altered replacing the ‘A’ in Africa with an ‘I’.

P: You come from a famed Morgan reggae family, tell us about it....

I: My father’s name is Derrick Morgan, a popular musician from the ska era who got to work with Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. He’s still alive and doing music and has been a great influence in my musical journey.

P: How did Queen Ifrica end up in music?

I: Because of a divine mandate I was always pushed by my friends to do music and I am very happy for that because it gave me the opportunity to sing to the world the message of love and peace.

P: Is this your first visit to Africa?

I: I first came to Africa on a visit to South Africa four years ago, I went back this year and it was great as I performed with Hugh Masekela. Kenya has been a great experience for me too.

P: Tell us about your Kenyan experience?

I: It was the greatest feeling I ever had. We as Rasta people love Africa and I would definitely love to come back here and exercise my social duties in spreading the message of love, peace and unity.

P: What inspires you to write about social issues?

I: What inspires me is my love for people and world peace. Music is the greatest tool that can be used to help with the ills of the world and so I use it wisely.

P: What did you love most about Kenya?

I: What I love most of all about the Kenyan people is their sprit and energy, the vibe I get from them is beautiful indeed, oh and the food!

P: Were there any similarities with Jamaicans?

I: Kenyans are very much like us; in every way, from social to lifestyle and music. What worries me a lot is about the types of music that I see flooding into Kenya and Africa in general, it’s very much along the lines of negativity.

I beg of Africans not to let it in because it has had ripple effects, it is almost destroying my country and am sure it will do the same to Africa. Music should be about teaching life lessons and not about violence, hatred and negativity.

P: To date, what is the song that you feel has touched the lives of many of your fans in a way that you never imagined?

I: The song I think that has touched most of my fans is Daddy Don’t Touch Me There because of addressing the sensitive issue of incest. Incest is a global disease and the song touches it in a very transparent way.

P: Any music coming up?

I: My new Album CLIMB will be out soon. From VP Records Ask My Granny, Lie Dem A Tell, Truversation where I feature Junior Gong, are just some of the great tracks that are on it.

P: As one of the most progressive female reggae artistes from Jamaica, what sets you apart?

I: What sets me apart is the chance that I take to sing the truth to the people on real matters, not the circumstances. I address every issue on and give a lead on how we should solve it.

P: Any encouraging words for your fans?

I: My encouragement is please don’t let goodness die in the world. Push back at the negatives; live for a cause and be the change you want to see in the world. Nature demands of us to love life, stop killing each other for the enemies alone benefit from that. Love always and I look forward to coming again soon.