About Me
Her voice is as warm and expressive as the soprano that she wraps around her fierce lyrics. 2003 and 2005 JUNO Award winning Reggae Artist, Sonia Collymore, combines reggae riddims with R&B vocals to create a sound that's second to none.
SINGER/SONGWRITER
RECORDING ARTIST
ACTRESS
RECORD COMPANY PRESIDENT
HUMANITARIAN
Wow!!! There are only 24 hrs. in a day. How does this superwoman do it all? Drive and determination!!!
"My dad says I came out singing instead of crying" says Sonia. Born in St. Michaels, Barbados, her family migrated to Canada when she was 5 years old. She began singing in private with her father. "He used to have a sound system---but he played mostly in the basement. I used to hide at the top of the stairs, listening to him playing records and DJ-ing. "....this is WKRC and this is DJ Keith (WKRC for his name Keith Reynold Collymore). I was exposed to the likes of the Wailers, John Holt, U Roy, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, D. Brown, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt at an early age as well as R&B artists like Lionel Ritchie, Teddy Pendegrass, the Ojays, Patti LaBelle, Etta James and Millie Jackson." Soon, her father invited her to take up the mike and sing along with the records ---- the birth of a star!! She was also encouraged by her mother Elmira to sing in the church. She sang for a number of years in the Jr. choir and eventually as a featured soloist. "She has the voice of an angel. Anytime she wants to sing for the Lord, she can sing here" (Pastor Gallimore, Montego Bay).
Throughout High School, Sonia continued to perfect her trade, appearing in numerous school plays and talent shows. Her first "professional" stint as a singer was with the band LeeJahn as a Feature Vocalist. She also provided background vocals for a number of artists including Nana McLean and calypsonian Leon Cordero. As fate would have it, Sonia was called upon to substitute for an ailing back-up singer for reggae veteran Beres Hammond (one of Jamaica's premier male vocalists). So impressed was the crooners management, she was invited to become a part of his harmony section and stayed with them until 1999. It was her tenure with Beres that proved to be the most rewarding to date. Her harmonizing with the crooner has transformed her into a bonafide globe trotter. As part of his set, he would showcase his back-up singers----an experience that has honed her talent. She has developed a soulful stage exuberance, which has been critiqued as to be extremely appealing. From Jamaica to Japan; Canada to the USA, Sonia continues to win over fans with her heart-felt performances. Influenced by Marcia Griffiths, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams and Etta James, she calls her unique style of music G-POP REGGAE. Per Sonia "G is for Girl---after all I am a girl. Pop---well because I want it to cover everything; most popular aspects of reggae: Roots, Lovers Rock, Dancehall, Traditional Reggae with a little bit of Soul, R&B AND Jazz mixed in. I want to have a special appeal so that even people not familiar with reggae can still enjoy this music." She also cites Ce'cile and Tanya Stevens as inspiration and credits Beres, Freddie McGregor and Lionel Ritchie as inspiring the smooth soulful side of her singing.
Her debut single release-- a remake of Faith Hills "BREATHE" was released on her own XeS Music label. "I was 'forced' to start my own label because no one would take a chance on me as a solo artist." The single won her Female Newcomer of the year and Top Reggae Single of the Year in 2001 from the 17th annual Canadian Reggae Music Awards. 2002 found her winning the Top Female Reggae Singer in the 18th edition of the CRMA and a JUNO nomination.
HypeTV Interview, Jamaica
The following year, she won a JUNO Award (2003) for Reggae Recording of the Year for the single "YOU WON'T SEE ME CRY" and a nomination for Female Singer of the year at the 19th annual CRMA.
Her 2005 JUNO win for her debut CD/Album WYSIWYG (computer acronym for What You See Is What You Get) has been icing on the cake. "This was a special win for me because it was based on an album rather than a single." Produced by Work'n Till Dawn and Gumption Productions, her debut CDs 14 tracks can attest to the fact that she is more than mere 'eye candy'. If there is such a thing as 'ear candy' this CD is it!!
She has shared the stage with many of reggaes' greats and her vocals can also be heard on the Showcase (Canada) and Showtime (USA) television series "The L Word". Her song writing skills (besides writing 13 of the 14 tracks on the CD) have been spotlighted by singer Patria and the Pop group 3-Deep as well as highlighted on the Canadian television series "Grosse Point"
She has been known to 'lend her talents' to many worth while social causes including "Top 20 Under 20", "Canadian Crime Victims Association" and "Make Poverty History.
2001 also found Sonia sharing the stage with Jamaicas premier comedian Oliver Samuels in the Toronto production of the stage play "Oliver and Cinderella". She handled the lead of Cinderella with the grace of a seasoned professional.
She is bound to win over the world with her dreamy sweet soprano voice and militant stance on the proper treatment by men of women everywhere. Look out!! Sonia has arrived!! WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET---and what you get is a whole lot more than what you bargained for!!!!!!!
AWARDS:
2005 JUNO ~Reggae Recording Of The Year (WYSIWYG)
2003 JUNO ~ Reggae Recording Of The Year (You Wont See Me Cry)
2002 Canadian Reggae Music Award ~ Top Female Reggae Singer
2001 Canadian Reggae Music Award ~ Top Reggae Single (Breathe)
2001 Canadian Reggae Music Award ~ Top Female Reggae Newcomer
NOMINATIONS:
2002 JUNO Award ~ Reggae Recording Of The Year (BREATHE)
2002 UMAC Award ~ Reggae Single Of The Year (You Won't See Me Cry)
Takes 2 To Play The Game Video
Directed by JR Powell, Dante Productions
From the 2005 JUNO Award Winning Album, WYISWYG
