Ivanay

Born Rosalin Thompson in February 1972 in St. Thomas, Jamaica, West Indies, she entered the world as the youngest of 13 siblings raised within a Christian household. Early vocal development came through participation in church and school choirs in her local community. Professional work began in 1994 when she signed with Howlers International Music and performed under the name Rosie T. Although those first tracks consisted solely of cover material, their modest success led to an invitation to perform at the 1995 Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, where her appearance on International Night alongside Buju Banton, Everton Blender and Freddie McGregor proved triumphant. The exposure built a following and opened doors to further collaborations with established acts. Adopting the name Ivanay, she released the track “Empower Me,” co-written with Anthony Rochester, which paired a steadfast rhythm with masterful lyricism. The new moniker underscored her distinct identity, prompting her to include original compositions with the previous covers on her long-awaited debut album, a project that showcased both her vocal abilities and songwriting talents. Among its highlights were Angie Angel’s guest vocals on a ragga remix of “Empower Me,” Louie Culture’s contribution to the dancehall mover “Make Love To You,” and a retitled cover of a Peter Tosh hit presented as “God Is My Keeper.”