‘Twas a night of firsts Nov. 24. VP Records and Caribbean restaurant Milk River partnered to present yet another night of music, unveiling the new Milk River house band, VP’s latest label imprint Dub Rockers, popular reggae band Raging Fyah’s first New York performance, and — while not her first performance in Brooklyn — a powerful set courtesy of vocal powerhouse Ikaya.
Before the music claimed the Brooklyn restaurant, an intimate meet-and-greet allowed for fans to chat with the artists.
With an album on the way, “Raging Fyah” — comprising six members — were excited to expand upon their upcoming Wickie Wackie two-day music festival in Jamaica and upcoming album.
According to lead vocalist Kumar Bent, “Wickie Wackie music festival has been around for the past five years. It was a one-day event at first but this year we decided to make it two days. That area is where Bob Marley and a lot of reggae musicians did their exercise so it’s just concentrated with the creative arts and based in community tourism for people to experience the real Jamiaca.”
Through their musical experiences and music festival, “Raging Fyah” is inviting the masses to experience the Jamaica they know beyond the popular attractions tourists are bombarded with.
Sharing the stage with the band, Ikaya took on questions about her music including her song “Ugly Girl” that tells the story of catching her man cheating with an “ugly girl.”
“The song is basically about a man cheating with an ugly girl and let me clarify what I mean when I say ugly, it’s not only about the physical appearance of this person. The character of this person could be ugly too,” Ikaya explained.
Both artists performed with the backing of live instruments. With help from Milk River’s new reggae house band, New Vibrations, Ikaya got the crowd’s participation with her incredible vocal range.
The songstress performed “Ugly Girl” — cut off “Strictly The Best Volume 50” — her cover of Steel Pulse’s “Rally Round” and more.
“Raging Fyah” closed the show and secured a new fan base in New York.
Both “Raging Fyah” and Ikaya aim to drop new albums in 2016 with VP Records.
