Aiesha Barrett Finds Purpose and Lifts Up the Nation With ‘Jamaica Strong’

Exclusive: Aiesha Barrett talks the success of “Jamaica Strong,” selected as the official song for the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert, overcoming the loss of her legendary father, and a transformative year - “It feels like everything I’ve worked for is finally aligning,” she said

Aiesha Barrett Lifts a Nation With ‘"Jamaica Strong"

With Jamaica still processing the impact of the devastating Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island in October, singer and songwriter Aiesha Barrett is using her soulful and emotive voice to uplift the nation with her single “Jamaica Strong.” The track has gone viral, landing among the top four on the iTunes Reggae Chart.

“It feels incredible. Honestly, it still hasn’t fully sunk in. I’m still grieving the loss of my beloved father and teacher Aston ‘family man’ Barrett. And music has heavily influenced my healing and pain,” she expressed in an exclusive interview with Kaboom Magazine. “I’ve seen myself creating more than ever and meaning towards music for guidance. ‘Jamaica Strong’ came straight from the heart, so seeing my country and the diaspora embrace it the way they have is truly overwhelming.”

“I didn’t expect the reaction to be this powerful, but I did know the message was needed. Jamaicans are resilient, and the song is really a reflection of that strength, so I’m grateful people connected to it so deeply,” she added.

The song was written immediately after she witnessed the devastation and emotions across the island. “I had a previous song title ‘Revelation’ that I wanted to release, which was really about Mother Nature and the world as a whole needing healing, but it wasn’t mixed in time for the album. So I took a few lines from that and turned it into something for Jamaica and create ‘Jamaica Strong’. I wanted to capture that raw moment, our pain but also our courage,” she elaborated.

Diving into the process, Aiesha describes it as very organic. “The melody and lyrics came quickly by the help of my son Aiden Cree and with the help of my co producers, JJ WIZZLE and Jermaine Crooks it became a masterpiece.”

The song was rooted in real feelings and real stories. Once she settled into her small kitchen studio setup, everything fell into place, "the rest was history,” she added.

Aiesha, who is the daughter of the late Aston “Family Man” Barrett, revered musician and former band leader of The Wailers, is known for her powerful vocal range and soulful delivery. She explained that this record allowed her to tap into a deeper emotional space and showcase a side of her artistry fans haven’t fully heard before.

“I haven’t really done a record that shows my full vocal range, so I wanted to also showcase that as well and get deeper into my emotions. I love listening and singing songs from Adele and Alicia Keys, so I knew that type of song and melodies would draw me out, and the people needed to see a different side of me as well.”

The singer is set to perform the song at the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert on December 12 at UBS Arena, sharing the stage with musical giants such as Shaggy, Sean Paul, and many others. The event’s organizers selected “Jamaica Strong” as the official anthem for the benefit. “I was honestly honored. To have my song chosen as the anthem for an event focused on healing and rebuilding means the world to me. My first thought was, 'Wow, this is bigger than music.' It’s a moment of purpose. Being able to stand on that stage and give voice to the strength of our people is something I’ll never forget,” she said excitedly.

Seeing Jamaica, especially the western communities, go through such a difficult time has affected every Jamaican, both at home and abroad. Aiesha shared how deeply the situation touched her.

“It’s been emotional. Even though I’m an artist, I’m also a Jamaican woman, a mother, and someone who loves her country deeply. Watching the damage and hearing the stories has been heartbreaking. But I’ve also been inspired by how quickly we’ve come together to support one another. Creating ‘Jamaica Strong’ helped me process a lot of what I was feeling and I hope it’s helping others too,” she resonated.

“Jamaica Strong” isn’t Aiesha’s first success this year. Her previous releases, “Reggae Dolly” performed well on the charts, while “Win” earned Grammy consideration, signaling a major moment of artistic growth and recognition for the singer.

“This year has been transformative. It feels like everything I’ve worked for is finally aligning. From ‘Reggae Dolly’ touching the younger generation, to ‘Win’ gaining Grammy consideration, to ‘Jamaica Strong’ connecting with the entire island this year has shown me that my artistry has purpose,” Barrett reflected. “It’s been challenging at times but also the most rewarding year of my career, despite my grievances. Losing my father a year ago on my birthday has been very devastating but this success has bring tears of joy for a change.”

With this mix of emotional moments in her bag, Aiesha is seizing the momentum to push forward. “The future is about elevation. I’m leaning deeper into my creativity, releasing more music, and expanding my brand globally. I want to continue representing Jamaica with pride and creating songs that inspire, empower, and uplift. This moment is just the beginning, there’s so much more coming, and I’m ready for all of it. I just want to make my father proud from above.”