Queen Ifrica wants persons to be proud of themselves

Lioness on the Rise singer Queen Ifrica is never one to be timid, but she says that "it is one of the scariest times" to be living in the world.

She is also worried that the future of Jamaica's youth is grim.

"Our young people do not have a lot of reasons to be proud of themselves, and that is why we are seeing so much happening with the younger generation," she told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"We're at a time when people are scared and need to feel proud about something. Growing up I was one of those children with insecurities where I felt I was being picked on but did not know why. But in the midst of that, what kept me strong is I never had a feeling of hatred towards myself, just because someone else did."

The reggae singer-songwriter is in the 'self-love' chapter of her life and career. Recalling the pandemic, she said that the lockdown gave her a renewed sense of confidence.

"The sentiment of not being proud of one's self, it comes from within. People may make you feel like you don't belong, and there are others who still depend on validation from others. But even with someone being proud of them, they are not proud. I've come a long way and been through a lot of stuff but with a proud heart, I am proud of myself," she said, quoting lyrics from her latest single Proud of Me.

"Some people realised the good they did, others saw the bad and where they needed to improve. It's about that, analysing self first. At the recent Island Music Conference, I told the participants it is about what you want in your life's journey. There may be trauma at one side, enuh, or something that you feel holds you back. But the other side is what you want to be or ought to be. I know where I want to be," she added.

Queen Ifrica has delivered controversial performances in her career and is known for her candour about social issues. But she said she wants the legacy she is currently building to be recognised for the positives.

"I do know the power of music in terms of how it impacts and influences generations now and the younger ones. Each thought pattern [in a song] makes a difference in the youth who may question how them behave in class, if them doing enough, or getting the best grades, and I would like to reach them. I want the people to listen properly to Proud of Me because it shows them there is one reason or another to be proud. I want to be seen as an artiste making an impact, and one who does music from the heart," Queen Ifrica shared.