Askala Selassie
Warrior Empress Askala Selassie – has taken the reggae industry by storm, with her outstanding pure vocals, heartfelt song writing ability and captivating smile she is able to mesmerize every audience that come into contact with her music. Baptized into the RAS TAFARI way of life, she is always royal in her apparel and positive with her lyrics.
Askala Selassie is her baptism name meaning The Fruit of the Holy Trinity. This empress was born in 1984 to rhythm of Jamaica with reggae music firmly rooted in core and her soul. Askala’s mum and Manager – Atronsa Tseyon says ‘she has always wanted to be a singer from as far back as i can remember, so her destiny was inevitable’.
In 2005 she was recruited after a live show to tour with the original Wailers band at the age of 21; and still holds the title as the youngest Wailing sister. Her first taste of touring life was with the original Wailers Band on a full on tour in countries such as Italy, Spain, Hungry, Switzerland, and Sardinia. From this Askala excelled in all aspects of her music career and gained experience second to none as she was learnt from the best. Askala then worked very closely with Karl Toppin one of the tour engineers for the Wailers, also known as K Big neck from; Big neck productions. They worked on her single ‘Faith’ which is one of the tracks on her EP Put JAH first. Askala Selassie recorded ‘Faith’ in Jamaica with Pinckney (from the Root Radix), and went on to record her first music video for Faith in Jamaica. The video was recorded and directed by Asha -Sling Shot Productions and One Locz Ras – Shac works.
Askala then started working closely with Italian producers Paolo Baldini and Bizzarri on an all-female project called Reggae girls. After working well with Bizzarri records Askala decided to move forward with them producing her EP –Put JAH first.
All the songs on the EP ‘ Put JAH first, were inspired by JAH and written by Askala Selassie; with the intention of spreading JAH word over land and sea. To put JAH first is what we should all endeavor to do in our daily lives. The title single and the album as a whole are based on scriptural references such as Matthew 6:33.
Put JAH first was a great success, and has Propelled Askala Selassie music forward in unimaginable ways. She recorded videos for Put JAH first, and Love you always, both directed by Italy’s Clip cut media, Pierpaolo Ingrassia. She had an amazing EP launch with stars like Maxi Priest in attendance, and has toured Europe consistently since the release of the EP in 2011 performing and headlining shows.
She has gained a wealth of experience as has recorded, performed and shared the stage with some of reggae finest from, Sugar Minott, Etana, Chronixx, Rita Marley, Curtis Lynch, Dennis Bovel, Warrior King, Luciano, Queen Ifrika, Tony Rebel, Beres Hammond, Rita Marley and Tarrus Riley, The Wailers, Alborosie and too many to mention.
During this time she was always deep in the dub culture working and singing on different UK sound systems such a Rebel Lion and JAH Tubbys. After working and releasing her first vinyl LP with renowned sound system King Shiloh, she established herself in the Dub Market. The vinyl was released in January 2013. Faithful and True and Salute Vinyl LP was a sell-out, and was played by all major sound systems such as Iration Steppas, JAH Shaka and his son Young Warrior to name but a few.
Last year Askala’s Roaring Lioness tour was fully booked with many shows and festivals including Italy’s One love festival, Belgium’s Reggae bus, United nations of Dub, Bababoom Festival, and Spain’s Rototom Sunsplash, where she easily managed to show off her versatility in all these places.
At Rototom she mashed up the showcase stage, main stage and Dub academy. She was in the Dub arena and on the MIC with Blackboard jungle, Iration Steppers, Paolo Baldini, Kabaka Pyramid, Mellow mood, Luciano, Mickey General, and made a massive impact as the only female booked in the dub academy and who dared to take the MIC amongst this star line up.
Askala’s latest release lovers rock release I‘ll Wait produced by Stingray productions London and My Life produced by Green Light sound have created a huge buzz and will also be on her next album.
This Lioness is now ready to pounce with her long awaited Album Warrior Empress this year produced by UK’S number 1 studio – Stingray Records. This is a collaboration of styles, melodies and messages. She has infused traditional with non-traditional, and made a new roots dub album, which even has some lovers rock on there. This project really explores Askala’s ability and demonstrates that sh e is Mrs versatile. This album is aimed at empowering woman. Askala says ‘I wrote these songs from my heart with the mission of helping the nation to see and know the worth of a woman through music’. Askala is working closely with Donovan Williams of VP records with this release, to build the right momentum to take her music to next level.
Askala Selassie would like to give thanks to the ALMIGHTY for leading her through this path, and for filling her with eternal love, which she gives freely through her music. She knows that she has been chosen and sent by JAH to spread the word, and to teach the world about RAS TAFARI. JAH Kingdom is here.