Monifa Goss abandons science for singing full time

Her adolescent years were filled with diverse music experiences including choirs and competitions, however, the majority of Monifa Goss' secondary school studies were spent buried in science text books, as she planned to become a medical doctor.

Even after finishing as first runner-up in the 2016 Digicel Rising Stars Competition at age 16, the soulful singer still wanted to become a doctor. But she told THE STAR, Monifa Goss explained the reason for her change of heart.

"I know I cannot handle sadness and the area of medicine I wanted to study is one that would require me working with a lot of sick patients and interacting with the families. Before considering a degree, I would have to have a strong heart to be able to work with cadavres [corpses] and blood throughout my studies, and I will be honest, I did not. An individual like me thrives off the vibes like what entertainment brings. There is no turning back," the singer shared.

Monifa Goss, who is the youngest of four children, has been blessed with multiple talents, but found herself involved in singing, dancing and acting. Instead of pursuing medicine, she decided to apply to the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, where she began her studies in music performance. She still has a year left to earn her degree.

"It's been seven years. Overall the experience on Rising Stars started that growth that I needed. I mean, I was 16 years old, of course I had a bit of growing up to do. It also taught me how to handle and engage my audience," she said, "Over the years my voice has also matured and I've seen where there are changes in the range and depth of my vocals. I can also go higher these days and continue to train and strengthen my voice by practising a lot of difficult songs to sing for vocal and breathing exercises."

She has been affectionately called Gossy by her fanbase, which she has dubbed her 'Gossy-pers', "who I could not embark on this career journey without".

So far, the singer-songwriter has released singles such as Rise and Release My Love. She has also collaborated with Konshens, and recently with Yaksta on Speak, which is featured on his debut album, Yaksta 22. Monifa Goss is currently working on her upcoming EP Eve, a woman empowerment project which she hopes will garner her more female supporters.

"I've called the project Eve because as the first woman God crafted, and from whom humanity descended, she is a whole lot of woman. I'm also on the eve of greatness, so persons can interpret anyway they wish. The aim is to deliver messages of motivation to women," Monifa Goss shared.