Maryjuh is one of the female voices of reggae. It is one of the references in this musical style in Portugal, she has been claiming her own grown, in a world of male singers and songwriters, with light and fresh songs, as is the case with her latest single, "tell me why".
You always sung in choirs, why you decided to launch a solo career at this point?
Maryjuh: First of all because I wanted it to be an original project. In reggae there are many female voices, though not in Portugal and then tried to had big "luggage" at national reggae with the charismatic band Jahvai, it gave me some experience and also had a lot of people tell me I should try to launch a personal project. Then I started thinking what kind of musical style wanted print and thought: I am lover of soul, blues and jazz, as in Portugal there is not a girl singing reggae affirmatively I tried there. And in the almost three years as Maryjuh the feedback was huge, which I was not expecting, with just two months after launching my first song on "you tube" soon had invitations to shows.
You write your own themes, but it's just the lyrics and you also compose?
M: I create the melodies and the lyrics. Earlier, I got to do songs with Jamaican producers, with various artists. However, when I began to disclose more my work, I started working with some national music producers and did some recordings. It was kind of partnership, they yielded the instrumental and I introduced my lyrics, I started from scratch and created a great theme with Micky had a great feedback; it was a 100% domestic production, the song "stronger". Over time, I've done live concerts with my professional companion, which is the Nagga Fire dos and we are been doing shows all over the country.
And there is the prospect of an album?
M: Yes, although in Portugal the medium is very small and the financial instruments are very scarce. I will launch a new theme and a video clip. Then I will create a large single and see what I can in terms of support I can find to help me launch, because as I said at the production level is not easy. Not that it is not willing to do it, but will take more time. I am preparing my album and I already have some songs, I lack the financial means for conclusion, but I think briefly there'll be something. My new song is "tell me why". It is a summer theme, gets in the ear and the Portuguese will like it.
Do you feel that your career is still barely visible because there are no many women singers of reggae, there is a certain bias?
M: Yes, there is also this factor. Thus, I do not want to point the finger, but it is still difficult. Somewhat unfortunately the message of reggae is not just what people like to think. In the music world there are many rivalries and somehow see a woman in a path that was followed by men, of course, it has little support even from people of my age. I found this prejudice, but on the other hand, had a lot of people to support me and give me a lot of strength. This is a challenge for me, I am a strong person, my goal is to keep true to myself and do my work as I have done it.
What inspires your themes?
M: When I was younger my songs were more dedicated to love, songs are easier to write, and I say this as honestly. It is a very pretty age, although my life has never been easy since I got to Portugal, is lasts, but what not kill us makes us stronger. "Tell me why" does not have a message, is a summer song, is about a disappointment. My songs like "Stronger," "the right to live" and "I raise, I shine," are positive themes, in the sense that I try to convey my experience, without being too dramatic and without exposing too much of my life. It is a way to reach out to others without discriminating anyone. It is the motto of reggae. Also now I'm 23 and you have other kind of maturity, another desire and with age all that appears in my head becomes increasingly clear.
