Reggae Sumfest Website

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Karen Sophia Squire, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Composer, Arranger, was born on February 27th.  She lives in Spanish Town where she grew up with her five sibling’s mother and father.  She attended the Crescent Basic School, Crescent All Age (now Crescent Junior High), Eastern School of Commerce and Undergrad College.

She often practiced writing songs, never letting anyone hear them thinking that they were “just awful”, still she couldn’t stop the flow of music in her vain having listened to her mother sing and play the guitar from birth.  In 1993, after having her daughter Shantay, she decided to take on music as a profession by getting experienced people in the industry to guide her. Knowing she had much to gain she went to a popular studio in Spanish Town St. Catherine called Miami Vice working along with producers Kenneth Rose,  Phillip “Bully” Williams and Owen “Drummy” Dalhouse of Rhythm Kings band along with studio engineer “Angel”.

She did her first cover version of a song titled “Like this and Like that” that was never released. She did other cover versions such as: “Understanding”, “Just Kick It” collaboration with D.J. Ninja Turtle and “Sentimental”. She then decided to try some of her original songs with long time producer and friend Phillip “Bully” Williams. Three songs were recorded as demos and she was encouraged by Bully, who discovered she had great writing potential by listening as she talks about how her lyrics came to her.

Around 2000, a female singer whom she met at a private studio told her of an available position to do back ground performances with Reggae icon Gregory Isaacs whom she worked with and this she did for five years.  Her first show was in St. Martin, and this was an eye opener, as she never knew the power and the impact reggae music had on the world.  She went on to other Caribbean islands, and Brazil enjoying the experience as she gained knowledge of the art of music.

After a while she left High Fence studios doing freelance music recording and performing with artist such as Paul Elliot, Jah Mason, Lutan Fyah, Fantan Mojah, Glen Washington, Warrior King, Andy Livingston, Luciano and Richie Spice just to name a few. She performed at the more popular shows doing background vocals, shows such as Sting, East Fest, Sumfest, and Rebel Salute. During this time she was introduced to Shane Brown, of Juke Box productions one of Jamaica’s foremost producers, by a friend Audley ”Breddi” Allen who also happens to be her manager. She did a song titled “Bloody Murder” that was well received at radio stations throughout the Caribbean and overseas.

Sophia currently has over 30 recordings from which she plans to select her début album. She plans to do music full time as a business and is currently working with Max Romeo another international veteran who advises her from time to time about steps to take.  She plans to do writing more professionally; this has become somewhat a part of her musical being.  SOPHIA’S encouraging words are “Unity is strength, strength is power” a phrase that she loves to use and can be heard in her soon to be released song “Everyday it’s the same” Her motto is “Live love and let Peace Reign”.  Her goal is “Give It Your All”.