Weh Dem Up To?: Gaza Sheba looking to bounce back

Gaza Sheba is just going by Sheba these days, but aside from alterations to her stage name, not much has changed for the entertainer.

Sheba told THE WEEKEND STAR that she had to fight her way back from an episode with depression as a result of the dip in her career.

But Sheba said she has once again found her footing and has her sights set on making some impact on the industry in the coming months.

The entertainer explained that following Vybz Kartel's incarceration, things got difficult for several members of the Gaza Empire and many of them could no longer keep up with the demands of the industry, especially as they did not have the 'teacha' around to guide them.

"I had no clue what I was doing. Everything was done for me by Addi and Addi people. Me being on my own, I didn't know what to do and so for a year, year and a half, I suffered from depression because nothing was going right and I just couldn't handle it," she said.

Sheba said people were expecting her to keep up her career, but they did not understand that "is somebody buss me, and when I was in the Gaza, nothing was done by me. All I knew how to do was go in the booth and record."

She said since the Gaza Empire was discontinued and everyone went their separate ways, she had to learn about the business and how to make her own moves as a solo artiste.

"I didn't have any business experience as far as the music goes. I didn't know how to promote ...," she explained. "It was stressful because the business is already hard for females, but mi a take mi likkle time a come back."

The entertainer said she has two new singles now out that can be accessed on YouTube and revealed that a Florida-based label is interested in signing her.

"I got linked to them (the label) through another artiste called Dwayno, and I did a song for them, and they happened to like it very much," she said, pointing out that she is now in the middle of sealing that deal.

She said they approached her in October but she had a tour in November and December, so she has not signed yet.

"I have however, been voicing for them and doing a lot of studio work, so I have a lot of unreleased tracks. They came at the right time though, and I'm looking forward to working with them," she said.

The two songs that Sheba is currently promoting are Sideline and We A Party She explained that as an entertainer looking to make her mark on the industry, she is aiming to be versatile and will therefore not be sticking to just dancehall songs.

"Sticking to one area or one genre is not the way to go for an artiste. I am targeting the international market, so I'm expanding my horizons and doing a little bit of everything," she said.