Sister Audrey
Sister Audrey is most widely associated with the longevity of her debut single English Girl, following its record third release, emerging as part of the narrative of the 2018 Windrush Generation scandal in UK. In acknowledgement, she was presented with a Hidden Creativity Economy Award (sponsored by SABA) at the 2018 UK Unsigned finals, in recognition of over 35 years contribution to the Reggae industry and culture.
First generation UK born to Jamaican parents, Sister Audrey was schooled in Reggae music through her parents’ connection with the music and growing up around her uncle’s sound system. She followed her passion to create music and entertain, from singing in church choirs and school plays, through to later developing her unique tone. This ranged between performing her creations and backing vocals on many sound systems, as well as singing soul, jazz and popular music standards at live music functions, clubs and ‘open mic’ sessions.
No English Girl
Sister Audrey made her first mark on the Reggae music scene as a solo artist in 1982 with the release of roots Reggae song English Girl, produced by Mad Professor of Ariwa Music in collaboration with Jah Shaka record label. The words of the song, reciting a heated exchange between Sister Audrey and Jamaican man, shone a light on both the UK Windrush generation immigration status scandal and on the internal struggles with identity within the Caribbean community. The success of the song launched Sister Audrey’s live touring career in 1983, starting out across Britain and Europe with Mad Professor and the Ariwa Posse, backed by the Aquizm Band. Sister Audrey demonstrated her material and vocal diversity throughout, adding other chart successes: If I Didn’t Love You, Love Was All I Had and Daylight And Darkness to her vibrant performances in the Lovers Rock era of Ariwa music in the late ’80s.
Sister Audrey branched out into the international arena featuring as a support artist or part of main act on festivals and live tours for many foundation Reggae artists including Lee Scratch Perry, Bob Andy, Daddy U Roy and Macka B. throughout the 90s into the millennium. During this time, Sister Audrey achieved two classic musical collaborations: Peace Cup with Macka B for the title track of his album (1992) and True Born African with Daddy U Roy for the title track of his comeback album (1993). This was followed by the release of her own Populate album (1996), capturing the diversity of her musical style and themes. The dynamic delivery of her works engaged audiences in Africa, Israel, Mexico, Russia, Scandinavia, America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, further establishing her as one of the UK artist promoting Reggae music across the world.
The Future
Alongside maintaining a solo career, Sister Audrey toured as a backing vocalist and occasionally opened the show for the legendary Reggae artist Max Romeo with her own material whilst in his Charmax band between 2002 and 2015. Some of her other ventures in this period included lead and/or backing vocals in various bands such as Sista Women in Reggae, Soul Rebel, Panache Culture and One Love Orchestra.
Sister Audrey began developing DALitchies production company with partner Derek Litchmore in 2016 and became involved with various projects supporting the rise of the new wave of Reggae artists including Claire Angel, Randy Valentine and Marla Brown.
The unexpected re-release of English Girl in 2018 introduced Sister Audrey to new audiences and new directions in another chapter of her journey. Future projects include musical ventures with Ariwa’s Mad Professor and releases from her own record label Nuff Life Music. Today You Have Life and Love Is Everywhere, her most recent singles, are beautiful tasters of what to expect from her next body of works.
About DALitchies
DALitchies’ services are based on a collection creative juices mix with a combination of over 40 years qualified experience in the music and broadcasting industry which D’Litchie and Sister Audrey have bonded together to form DALitchies.