Who is she?

Rafeelya is a Boston born and bred singer who’s journey has been one of twists and turns. She is the baby girl of three siblings and the daughter of an American Mother and Jamaican Father.

Starting out singing in talent shows and making hip hop dubplates or specials for hip hop deejays, she went on to record her first cover tune called BrokenHearted, a rendition of the Brandy and Wonya Morrison tune in 1995 on the Mastermind record label.

Rafeelya was music everything, she learned to play piano at age three and played until age ten. She only stopped playing because the teacher, who was very old school, used to beat her fingers with a ruler.

This wouldn’t stop her from always singing in school and then later on taking part in neighbourhood talent shows. Actually, she didn’t keep many friends outside of school during her formative years, those times on the weekends were spent hanging out at Mastermind record label owner’s record shop, called Vibes Records in Mattapan, Massachusetts.

The owner Junior Rodigan, became a mentor so to speak and just spending so much time in his shop would later provide the opportunities she was afforded in England over 15 years later!

Rafeelya has recorded for various record labels and Producers, Stingray, Mellow Vibes, Thompson Sound, Sir Coxsone Outernational, and Lloyd Brown to name a few, and is now a part of the UK’s legendary first female reggae band, AKABU QUEENS.

AKABU has set a solid foundation as UK’s first only female reggae band and has now lended and blended their talent and expertise to two singers, Myself and the amazing talent, Makeda Moore.