Pepsi Rebel Salute, the largest, one-night, live concert event in Jamaica, took place on Saturday January 15th at the Port Kaiser Sports Complex in St. Elizabeth; and Dominican Reggae star Temptatious can boast sharing the stage with the genres biggest and brightest stars. Toots Hibbert, Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, David Brooks (AKA Mavado) I-Octane and Romain Virgo all lit up the stage with unique and enthralling performances. The lead singer of Natral Vybz International was called onstage by the ‘Fyah Muma’ Queen Ifrica during her set and performed the band’s original composition “Real Man”.
The two first met in January of 2010 at the Year of the Child concert where Natral Vybz International was the opening act for Queen Ifrica. They maintained communication and reunited when Queen Ifrica returned to Dominica to perform at LIME’s Creole in the Park. It was during this trip that Ifrica made her a can’t refuse offer: find your way to Jamaica, and you can sing at Rebel Salute. Both ladies kept her side of the bargain. Impressed by Temptatious; talent and tenacity Queen Ifrica interrupted her set to showcase the singer who ‘wants to put Dominica on the map’. She did her country proud.
At Pepsi Rebel Salute 2011Temptatious networked with artists such as Ken Boothe, Nadine Sutherland, Fantan Mojah, Bryan Art and more. She was interviewed by Television Jamaica (TVJ) as well as a Polish film crew. In preparation for the show, she rehearsed with the Live Wyyah band at Beres Hammond’s Harmony House Studios.
Temptatious is encouraged by the feedback she has received in Jamaica and states that a video for “Real Man” is being discussed with interested parties. She would like to thank all who made her trip to Jamaica possible, especially her manager Steve McKenzie (D Jay Smoove) who accompanied her and her father who flew in from St. Thomas to see her perform.
Born Tracy Johnson, the Trafalgar native was first introduced to Natral Vybz International by their lead singer David Mitchell in 2007. She performed as a backup singer and became a quick study, eventually replacing the female lead who exited the group. Temptatious has so far recorded two songs with Natral Vybz International both written by the Band’s Manager Julian Elwin: “Real Man” and “One World (Haiti)”. Both songs will be featured on the band’s upcoming album One World. According to Elwin, “the band is very proud of her achievements at Rebel Salute; it’s a great start to our goal of gaining more international exposure.” The band is currently looking to break into Central America starting with Costa Rica and Panama. Named for the natural talent and the international achievements of its individual members, Temptatious has truly earned her place in this Group.
When she returns to Dominica, Temptatious will join Natral Vybz International at various performances during the Carnival season.
