Recording artiste and social media influencer A’mari DJ Mona Lisa is upbeat about her latest album, a 25-track project titled ‘ The Unveiling’, which she hopes will make Jamaicans appreciate her talent.
Released earlier this year, the album was completed during a period when A’mari decided that she needed to distance herself from social media upheavals.
“For close to a year, I took a break from social media to focus on myself. I was still doing music, of course, but I needed to break from all the drama on social media. This album is all about my personal experiences, evolution and growth,” A’mari told THE STAR.
The Unveiling, which she said is a blending of hip hop, reggae, and global influences, explores themes of transformation, resilience, and personal rebirth. She is hoping the album will reach a global audience; however, her aim is to capture the hearts of Jamaicans in particular.
“I don’t think my talent is truly recognised in my country, and I want to be known beyond storytelling and as a true musician. I love all the tracks as their meanings are personal and deep, but Gaia I wrote right as my people were suffering from Hurricane Melissa, and I want Jamaica to know I wrote it for them,” A’mari explained. She is also reportedly gaining traction from Inshallah, another song which forms part of another album titled Dancehall Platinum.
” Inshallah is a song done in another language. It is like a prayer, and I did this song with no fear about what others have to say. It is a very spiritual song about God’s will and just me conversing and crying out to God,” she said.
In addition to her albums, A’mari said she is showcasing a new image, while adding that the chaotic person that some knew is buried in her past.
“Everything about me is professional as it relates to how I present myself. Some people are used to the argumentative A’mari, so I want to show my other side. It is not about being chaotic and all that. I have walked away from all that. There was a time when I realised that I had to be involved in certain behaviours on the Internet to gain attention, but not to gain momentum,” she said.
“I am very smart when it comes to the Internet … I know what to do to gain an audience. So at that time I knew I had to go with the drama, but all of that is over, and it is time for the hidden talents,” A’mari added.
The founder and CEO of Phantom Fireworks Record Label Incorporated, the artiste said she continues to learn and understand the business side of the music end and encourages others to follow suit.
“I am putting everything in my music. I am at a good space where I am not focusing on music or anything else other than the music. My children are all grown, so all of my focus is on making sure that everything is locked down as it relates to the business of music, including copyrights and registration. We have a lot of talented artistes coming out of Jamaica, but they don’t make it a priority to look into the business aspect of music, so they don’t really get a chance to reap the benefits,” A’mari said.
