America Foster on Jamaican Impact and Becoming Major Lazer’s First Female Member

The British-Jamaican artiste speaks exclusively with Kaboom Magazine about joining the popular electronic group, the making of GYALGEBRA, her whirlwind Jamaica trip, her charismatic attitude, and her dream collaboration with Shenseea. “I can see that happening.”

America Foster steps into history as Major Lazer’s first female member

America Foster, the British-Jamaican artiste, content creator, and performer, officially steps into the role as the fourth member of Major Lazer.

Fresh off the release of the group’s dancehall-driven mixtape GYALGEBRA, where she appears on several standout tracks recorded during an intense 32-hour trip to Jamaica, she recently joined Kaboom Magazine for a Google Meet sit-down.

Charismatic, grounded, and stepping boldly into her moment, Foster opened up about her journey, her influences, and the confidence behind her sound.

"Honestly? It feels amazing. I’ve been doing music since I was like ten, so stepping into this now… it just feels right. And the guys have shown me genuine love. I’m excited, I’m having fun, and I feel like I’m finally walking into the role I’ve always wanted. And if I can inspire other women along the way, that’s a blessing.", she shared.

She revealed that Major Lazer frontman Diplo was one of the first to reach out. "He found me off a video, followed me, and we started sending each other music. Eventually, we linked up, and the chemistry was just there. That’s really how the whole Major Lazer connection came to life", Foster said.

The attention came quickly once she began posting freestyles. "So, funny enough, when I started dropping freestyles, a lot of big artists would be in my DMs. They were like, ‘Yo, you should really take this seriously.’” She laughs.

When discussing the concept behind GYALGEBRA, America elaborates: "We knew we wanted the tape to be full of gyal songs." She continued, "dancing, bruck out energy, dash out vibes. And I’m the new female addition, right? So I’m like, 'Hmm… this feels like an equation’. Then we’re like, ‘Wait… gal… algebra… GYALGEBRA.’ And the name stuck for us instantly."

Her whirlwind 32-hour trip to Jamaica proved to be productive, despite the pressure of recording quickly. She wrote six songs in that short span. "Definitely. But it didn’t feel stressful, you know? The ideas were coming quick, the chemistry was crazy, and we were actually having fun", she expressed. "I’d start humming a melody, and Diplo would jump in like, ‘Yeah, try it this way,’ so it felt more like fun than pressure. And Jamaica inspires me naturally, I feel at home there."

She may be based in the UK, but she’s no stranger to the Yard. "I’m always in Jamaica. laughs I’ve got family in St. Elizabeth, so nothing surprised me. I was just enjoying the island; the food, the people, the energy while doing what I love the most."

Further added on her time on the island, "I went to this beach in Port Antonio… oh my gosh. I really don’t remember the exact name, but it was beautiful. I love the beach, so that was such a peaceful moment for me."

Though Foster is based in the UK, she’s deeply plugged into the local dancehall scene and the energy it brings. "It’s active, like, properly active. There’s a real buzz, and when Kartel did his world tour stop in London? The turnout was insane! People here really love and support dancehall."

She points to “Pendulum,” “Pepper Pot,” and “Bruk Down” as her favourite tracks on the project. "Those three have my whole heart."

"90s dancehall is my favourite era - hands down. And Red Rat? Listen… laughs I am a HUGE Red Rat fan. I grew up listening to him, Spice, Kartel, but Red Rat really shaped the character in my voice. That entire era just had so much personality."

Speaking about “Bruk Down,” which taps into that ’90s dancehall feel and authentic vibes, she shared, “Mm, ’90s dancehall is my favourite era - hands down. And Red Rat? Listen… laughs I am a HUGE Red Rat fan. You can hear that in how I enunciate certain words - that playful, animated tone he does? Yeah, that’s in me. I grew up listening to him, Spice, Kartel, but Red Rat really shaped the character in my voice. That entire era just had so much personality."

America lists several of her favourite dancehall artistes. "Definitely Shenseea, Ayetian, SKillibeng & Masicka. Old gen? Spice, Kartel, Red Rat, and a whole list more. They all truly inspire me." Among them, she names Shenseea as the one she’d most love to collaborate with. "100% Shenseea. I can see that happening. It would be such a moment for the girls, and I feel like our styles would match so well. And of course, I’m open to working with others too."

Before the meeting ended, she shared a message aimed at inspiring emerging artistes, especially women. "Confidence. That’s the word. I’m an orphan baby, so coming from that to being the first female member of Major Lazer… I want women to look at that and feel empowered. How I dress, how I talk, how I create… I wear my confidence openly. I want girls to feel that they can do the same."