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Born 25 years ago in Jubilee hospital,
Kingston, Jamaica on a cold Wednesday morning, Fiona
Robinson announced her arrival to the world.
After the first five to six years of her life were
spent with her grandmother in Tivoli Gardens, Fiona
moved to Washington Gardens to be closer to her mother.
It was during this time she realized her budding passion
for music and singing.
Surrounded by aunts and uncles who were in choirs,
a father who is a drummer, another uncle who was a DJ
on JBC radio and Power FM and family friends such as
Dean Frazier, Fiona’s musical journey was just
about to begin.
As an only child, Fiona enjoyed her own company, but
also found herself loving the spotlight that went with
it; the same spotlight that would soon join her on stage.
On many Sundays she would listen to her uncle rotate
his DJ selections for his upcoming radio slot. Soon,
Fiona knew most of the songs she heard and had committed
to memory including the Bob Marley special played by
her Father when she was only three years old, and she
could sing along with them as confidently as Bob Marley
himself.
A student of Mico Practicing All Age School, Fiona
remembers prior student Nadine Sutherland visiting the
school after she became a household name and watching
her fellow students full of excitement. Fiona dreamed
of the same success and became even more determined
to make it as a singer, telling herself " I want
to be her someday!"
She began singing at Raleigh's Key Club while still
at school and, as a poetic youngster, she found it easy
to write lyrics, putting them to music from an early
age. Influenced by some of the great divas of that time,
Pam Hall, Marcia Griffiths, Chevelle Franklin, Gladys
Knight, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Brandy and Monica
amongst others, Fiona spent her spare time listening
to and imitating these remarkable talented women, even
now.
During her young teens, Fiona participated in a concert
program for young talent presented by Jamaica's JBC
television station. Her audition piece was a rendition
of a popular Regina Belle song, and this performance
caught the producer’s attention and earned her
a regular spot on the weekly show "Concert Time
." From there she was included in many similar
productions including the premiere spot at the "
Santa's Enchanted Village"- a Christmas type grotto,
where she sang in several performances over the course
of the evening. Fiona sang every song in accapella and
wooed the audience evening after evening.
She was discovered in her later teen years whilst relaxing
at home. Answering the phone one afternoon, she was
asked to hold the line for a moment, Fiona continued
singing to herself without realizing that the person
on the other end of the phone was producer Kelvin Simmons
who returned to the phone thinking that the radio was
playing. As soon as he discovered it was the same young
lady who had answered the phone, he did not waste any
time!
Within days Fiona found herself in the studio recording
her first single. She describes her first experience
in the studio as a totally incredible experience, actually
being in a studio where other great artists had probably
stood and sang before her! Nevertheless, a natural in
the studio, Fiona recorded her first single "You
Mean The World To Me" previously done by Toni Braxton
and, Fiona even sang her own backing vocals, something
that the studio crew found quite remarkable for such
a new artiste.
Now a second home to her, Fiona found herself in the
studio on a regular basis from 17 years of age, juggling
a job and studio work. This led to her eventually meeting
sound engineer Jason Sterling and producer Lloyd Campbell
who were ready to take her to the next level of her
career.
Fiona's first recording on the Joe Frasier record label
was "For You I Will " a cover version of a
recent Monica song. This was musically her first big
project in the studio, as she met with other vocalists
who helped her develop her vocal skills. She also developed
a deeper knowledge of backing vocals during this time
and also a good strong work ethic. What she remembers
most was how she felt so good to be surrounded by continuous
positive vibes. Now that she was on her way forward,
she had people around her who could really project her
into the career she had always dreamt of being a part
of.
As Fiona's recording career grew, she found herself
meeting and working with some of the best artists, producers,
engineers and musicians in the industry. From Pam Hall
who she describes as her teacher, and one of her biggest
fans, to Richie Stevens, Tanto Metro & Devonte,
Patrick Roberts, J.C. Lodge, the late Cynthia Sloss,
Glen Washington, Lukie D, Lexus, Singing Melody, Rik
Rok, Shaggy, Kashief and Nikeisha Lindo, Willie Lindo,
Kirk Davis (Little Kirk) Jon B. and the infamous Beenie
Man, whom she had the privilege of being on tour with
in Japan. These are a few of the many entertainers she
describes as having the pleasure to work with in some
shape or form.
One of her most memorable occasions to date, was her
performance at South Florida's Reggae Soca Awards Show
earlier in 2001. This is where Fiona won an award for
"Female Vocalist Of The Year," her second
award in this category and a very special moment for
her receiving this award and, she took time to acknowledge
her mother who flew in from Jamaica to be with her on
this prestigious event, at which time Fiona broke into
tears because her Mother plays the most important role
in her life; her number one fan. Fiona took center stage
and was able to perform a song she loved, in a style
that her fans could really appreciate. "No More
Lonely Nights" was the track she chose and it was
received incredibly well by her audience.
So several years later after Fiona first entered the
recording studio, where is Fiona now compared to her
peers? "Well there isn't a great deal of serious
competition out there as far as female reggae singers
go, as I have been told, especially in Jamaica right
now" says Fiona. As the proud recipient of several
music awards, it's obvious where her fans rate her.
Whilst it isn't a competition to Fiona, who has worked
alongside many of her female counterparts, she enjoys
the recognition and the appreciation that goes along
with her success. "The view from the top is good!"
Fiona has recently released a gospel album in the UK,
aptly titled " He Cares" that boasts a different
type of gospel music, not a traditional sound, but ranging
from reggae through jazz, Hip Hop and R&B influences.
This is only the beginning for Fiona as she expresses
a future desire to work with some of the current greats
in R&B, including Babyface, who she admires for
his musical arrangements, since her teen years, Sean
" Puffy " Combs, Freddie and Rodney Jerkins,
Missy Elliot and Timberland, as well as Mariah Carey
and the king of pop and a musical genius, Micheal Jackson.
Her first album released with Joe Frasier Records
in 1999 " Fiona's Moment" is followed by her
latest release " Wanna Make Love". An album
that promises to take you on a musical journey from
it's opening melody to the very last beat. It boasts
18 superb songs on CD ranging from gospel inspired tracks,
conscious lyrics, heart warming love songs to uplifting
fast moving melodies, guaranteed to lift your mind,
body and soul.
The incredible voice of Fiona has come a long way over
the years, something that can only be gained through
determination and experience. The artist Fiona has also
matured over the years and does not take her success
for granted. "You can't do it alone, no one can",
she says, " I wouldn't be here today if I didn't
have the love and support of my family and friends,
and the mercy of GOD".
Still on the tip of the iceberg, Fiona Robinson has
arrived. This is her time now. This is Fiona's Moment!
Lady English
"Keep the vibe alive"
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