Imagine coming to Jamaica to do business and falling so completely in love with the people that you head home, pack up your belongings, and move here within a month.
That’s the story of Aleca King, a former flight attendant-turned-reggae artiste, whose passion for music and spreading messages of hope led her to embrace a new life of peace, purpose and positive music.
King was among the artistes at the recent Jo Mersa Acoustic Unplugged tribute, and though she was not called on stage to perform, she was still excited to just be there, soaking up the ambience and the good vibrations that emitted from the stage. She told THE STAR that it was a privilege to be able to experience live music in an environment that is both laid back and spiritually enriching.
“When it comes to my music, I do reggae, some Afrobeats, and some blues,” she said.
She embraces experimentation, but keeps her music rooted in authenticity and positivity. Mindful of her influence, she carefully considers the messages she projects, especially knowing that young listeners often look to artistes as role models.
“Kids look up to artistes as role models, like when Vybz [Kartel] sang about Clarks, and everybody started wanting Clarks. We have to be mindful of what we are putting out there,” she said.
“I try to put things that future generations can aspire to, so that 200 years from now it will still be a positive message,” King added.
This is a far cry from King’s days in Los Angeles, where being an artiste was not on her radar until one fateful day.
“I used to be insanely shy growing up, and now I love being in front of the camera,” she said.
“With the music, I had a vision that I was supposed to make an album to use my voice to help people, and I thought, ‘Me?’ But I was like, OK, so I followed the vision.”
King first came to Jamaica last year to do a collaboration with dancehall artiste Wasp, and “loved it so much that I stayed a month”.
“On that first trip, I recorded over 45 songs. Yes, I definitely got carried away,” she joked.
Before the end of summer, she had decided to ditch Los Angeles and make Jamaica her home.
“My mom became an angel, and I thought, well, I don’t have any anchor here (Los Angeles) any more, so I was like, go for it. I got rid of my furniture, apartment, car, and packed up my mom’s things,” she said.
Between building a following on YouTube and getting some of her songs played on the radio, King has been steadily making a way for herself, with her songs Reggae Party and Irie Vibes being in rotation. She also has several collaborations with artistes, such as Jah Thunder, Luton Fyah, Ricky Chaplin, and Military Man. Currently, she is set on doing more music videos and just enjoying her new life in her new home.
“The people here are so warm and welcoming. There is always someone willing to look out for me. When I take public transportation, someone will always assist me and explain the fare and other details, and landmarks, etc. I have never found that kind of care anywhere else. It’s about the people, the vibe; and there is always something to do, events happening, and people will take you with them and introduce you to other people. I feel like I can really be myself here.”
