Biography
Born in 1968 in Kingston, Jamaica, the artist launched her stage career in 1980 while juggling studio commitments—overseen by her parents—with academic pursuits. After completing college studies in business administration, she caught Bob Marley’s attention, leading to an invitation to join the Tuff Gong roster. Having abandoned his earlier Wail ‘N’ Soul project, Marley concentrated fully on the ‘Gong’ imprint and brought in newcomers that included Sutherland, Dallol, Rita Marley, Tyrone Taylor, and the Melody Makers. Regular live shows prepared her for wider recognition, culminating in her first international appearance in 1982 when she joined Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers, the I-Threes, and the Wailers at a memorial concert honoring Bob Marley. Often regarded as a gentler counterpart to prevailing ghetto styles, she struggled to register on reggae charts. In 1986 she toured the United States as an opening act for Bunny Wailer, sharing the bill with Leroy Sibbles of the Heptones. She later supplied backing vocals at Gussie Clarke’s Music Works studio and, toward the end of the decade, voiced “Mr Hard To Please” over Gregory Isaacs’ “Mind You Dis” rhythm for the compilation Music Works Showcase ’89. Entering the 1990s she collaborated with leading Jamaican producer Donovan Germain at his Penthouse facility. Her 1993 duet with Terror Fabulous, “Action,” was adopted—without her permission—as the official campaign song for the Jamaican Labour Party. That same year a reworking of Buju Banton’s 1992 track “Dickie,” now featuring Sutherland’s vocals and retitled “Wicked Dickie,” topped the reggae chart. EastWest Records acquired the rights to “Action” in 1995 and re-released it; bolstered promotion pushed the single into the Billboard Top 40. More than a decade afterward she gained traction in the American reggae market with the commercially successful 2007 album Call My Name.
Albums
Singles
