Hempress Sativa

Kerida Shushana Johnson (born 15 July 1984), known professionally as Hempress Sativa, is a contemporary reggae singer and songwriter from Jamaica. Her music aligns with the roots reggae tradition with variants of hip hop, afrobeats and R&B.

Early life

Born and raised in Papine, Jamaica to Rastafarian parents, Doris-Ray Johnson and Albert ‘Ilawi Malawi’ Johnson of Jah Love Sound System, Sativa was exposed to music from a very early age. During an interview with World A Reggae, she spoke of her early life

"My father would give my siblings and I the microphone and record anything that came out. So I have on records what I sounded like at age 4 and older. At the age of 13, I performed for the very first time at King Bebo Lawn at a Twelve Tribes of Israel showcase".

Recording career

In 2013, Sativa was involved in a series of releases as part of the Jah Ova Evil Movement, including "Jah Have Mi Back", "Children Of The Emperor", "Get High", "Judgement", "Top Rank Queens" and "Marching Outta Babylon". The Movement, which also included the likes of Chronixx, The Gideon & Selah, Kazam and Infinite was created to celebrate and carry on the legacy of reggae artist, Alty 'Lil Joe...

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