Bleep

Shanique Marie drops her debut longplayer featuring collaborations and production from Gavsborg, Alanna Stuart, Michael Vincent Waller, Raging Fyah, Swing Ting & Exile Di Brave.

The first woman of Jamaica’s favourite forward-thinking Equiknoxx crew, Queen of the Eternal Children, Shanique previously combined her Reggae, Jazz, R&B & Hip Hop roots on her critically acclaimed Uno EP which included the breakout hit Coconut Jelly Man. A talented and versatile collaborator she’s worked with a host of impressive acts both locally and globally including Krayzie Bone, Redlight, Flava D, Lex Luger, Finn, Aisha Devi, Masicka, Kabaka Pyramid, Sharda, Yaardcore, Addis Pablo, RTKal, Fox & Swing Ting. Marie’s recent singles Ring The Alarm, Freak, as well as collaborations Lifey/Movers with DJ Finn & Survey Says with classical composer Michael Vincent Waller signal a fresh direction.

Building on from this no-holds-barred space is what sets the tone for Gigi’s House, a masterclass in songwriting, storytelling and performance from Marie.

The set boasts a range of styles and sounds from eerie soul (Druggin, P3), sweet yet reflective R&B (Grow, Give Thanks), refreshingly candid one-drop (Government Name, Married Man), bubbling Jamaican dance music (Quality Time Sound System Freestyle) and a heart-stirring Ballad (Ballad). The production complemented by Shanique’s irresistible vocals shimmers throughout, largely handled by fellow Equiknoxx sparring partner Gavsborg, although Michael Vincent Waller brings his evocative piano to Druggin’ and Ballad with Manchester’s Swing Ting producing the affirming Lockdown hit Give Thanks. Alanna Stuart of Bonjay adds her haunting vocals to P3 and Druggin’ and Exile Di Brave brings his nasal tones to Government Name.

Shanique feels comfortably at ease and sure-footed throughout the project so it’s no surprise when asked to describe Gigi’s House she simply states: “I call this one home”.