Sista

Sista unites an array of leading British women in music, drawing members from AbbaKush and Akabu together with Aisha, Trilla Jenna and poet Jayzik Azikiwee. The collective first came together through London’s Camden Women In Focus Festival, appearing there as the Women In Reggae contingent. Their debut showcase occurred in March 2000 and opened with a stirring welcome from Ranking Miss P. Thirteen musicians filled the two-hour program, which portrayed women across multiple personas while tracing pivotal chapters in reggae history. Six linked sections—Creation, Africa, Liberty, Fire Burn, Children and Peace And Love—structured the evening, each artist taking turns in both solo and collaborative spots. Most participants already possessed substantial professional backgrounds, yet Azikiwee arrived as the newest addition. Before joining Sista she had been asked by Levi Roots to record the evocative “Imagination,” later woven into the group’s set, atop his “Greedy Bug” rhythm. Fat Eyes mixed the track, which Luciano later reworked as “A Luta Continua” and Mikey General as “Mind Over Matter.” Acclaim for the Sista performance prompted organizers to book a condensed reprise inside the Roots Arena at Essential Festival 2000. The ensemble also appeared at Summerjam in Germany, Geel Reggae Festival in Belgium and Montreux International Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Strong reviews generated calls for the artists to record together as a unit. Assisted by Nicky Ezer of Culture Promotions, the collective issued a live document of their Montreux International Jazz Festival concert.