Myoka pledges to ‘give back’ with ‘Snow On The Island’

November 16, 2023
Myoka
Myoka

Recording artiste Myoka is among the headliners for an all-white affair on the grounds of Hope Gardens, dubbed 'Snow on the Island'.

This is in recognition of her return to her home country to celebrate and contribute to the people through her music. The event's inaugural staging is slated for December 16.

"It means a lot to come back to Jamaica to do this show, not only to showcase my talent but to give back to our culture. Island Breeze [Myoka's management team] is bringing snow to the island and it's to introduce me as an artiste and the many cultures that Jamaica has embedded in me. To be Jamaican is an experience and I'm happy I'm coming back home to bring di fyah," Myoka told THE STAR. "We want to give back to my Jamaican people, so part proceeds of the event will go to families who are less fortunate."

A 'winter wonderland' theme will see Hope Gardens being transformed into an icy atmosphere. The official spokesperson for the event, Ralston Barrett, said the aim for such aesthetic is to recreate the type of Christmas that Jamaicans who live abroad would've enjoyed.

"It will be a very unique Christmas celebration which creates a family vibe, that old time Jamaican Christmas vibe, where family and friends would get together and celebrate Christmas. We're going to transform Hope Gardens into a winter wonderland. Snow On The Island will have all the trappings of a white Christmas, including snow, pine trees, and snowmen," Barrett told THE STAR. He said that the event also functions as a platform for businesses to showcase their products and services.

Barrett stated that the selected artistes were specifically hand-picked because of the calibre of music they produce and their capabilities to help make this event the spectacle it promises to be. The main headliners are reggae star Luciano, dancehall superstars Charly Black and Jahmiel, and Myoka, with the promise of guest artistes.

Myoka reminisced on being a member of the Tivoli Dance Troupe, which is also on the line-up, and said the group moulded her creativity as an entertainer. She acknowledged the great support and encouragement from Charly Black, with whom she collaborated on the single Bedroom Fiesta, which Myoka plans to "bring to life" at Snow On the Island. Myoka has also been featured on several international and Caribbean shows, while she recently opened for concerts such as the TOMAC Festival in Trinidad and Tobago featuring Burna Boy.

While being open to a variety of musical genres which impacts her versatility, Myoka describes her music as pop-Caribbean. Her upcoming projects include the release of three albums, featuring reggae-dancehall, R&B and Afrobeats, respectively.

Though not denouncing the Christmas spirit in the US, which has been her home for the past decade, Myoka remains passionate about Christmas in Jamaica and what it meant to her.

"There is no Christmas like Christmas in Jamaica. It's all about the family, togetherness, mi sorrel, cake and mi rum. [It's about] everybody getting together and playing dominoes, it's the people, the 'waah gwaan', just the vibe," she said, adding that all this forms the inspiration for her single, Irie Christmas.

She also urged all Jamaicans to retain that same energy and vibe at Christmas throughout the year.

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