Jah’Mila’s latest release is a celebration of Jamaican culture, but from a perspective that we might not be used to seeing. Paying homage to Israel Vibration’s 1995 song “Rude Boy Shufflin’,” Jah’Mila turns the song on its head, switching out the male-centric imagery for the strong matriarchal energies of a “Roots Girl” as a commentary on the male-dominated genre.
With the shift in the song’s subject matter from swagger to self-reflective authenticity. The tone is modern, it’s empowered and radiates with a self-assuredness that lacks braggadociousness.
“I always thought that my love of music would relegate me to background singing because the reggae industry is so very male-dominated. I don’t see myself in the image of the popular artists that are coming out of Jamaica right now. When you look at the mainstream acts, you start thinking about where your place is in all of it,” says Jah’Mila. “With ‘Roots Girl’ I have stopped thinking about all that noise, and instead invited people into my world. It’s an honest portrayal of who I am and where I’m from, a song about finding my voice and my place in music.”
Aside from the pivot on her cultural roots, Jah’Mila showcases the relaxed atmosphere of her native Jamaica. We’re treated to a number of local island hang-outs, from Discovery Bay to Jah’Mila’s favourite childhood beach, to the Dub Club in Kingston. Epitomizing the role of the titular ‘roots girl,’ the video also features popular Jamaican dancer Kymmone “Nanny” Ennis.
“It makes me proud to be able to sing ‘Roots Girl’ over this iconic reggae rhythm as a celebration of my Jamaican roots, and also in honour of my journey as a woman in reggae music,” says Jah’Mila. “I hope it will inspire a little girl who wants to know what it means to be uniquely musical and creative, and remind them that it’s okay to be themselves.”