Ishawna

Born on September 29 in Kingston, Jamaica, Ishawna began her involvement with music at a young age, writing her first song at six years old and recording her first track at eight. Her father, Don Angelo, was a singer who collaborated with producer King Jammy in the 1980s, contributing to Ishawna’s musical background. Early in her career, Ishawna explored various genres including gospel, rhythm and blues, and dancehall, showcasing her versatility. Her foundational experiences shaped her development as an artist within the diverse Jamaican music scene.

Ishawna gained significant attention following a performance at Asylum nightclub in 2006, where dancehall veteran Bounty Killer recognized her talent. She subsequently joined his Alliance squad. Her career progressed with collaborations, including “For You” with Demarco in 2008, followed by two tracks with Elephant Man. By 2011, Ishawna began expanding her fanbase beyond street-level recognition into the mainstream. This period led to her signing with DownSound Records (DSR) in 2012, under CEO Joe Bogdanovich. Ishawna has since collaborated with notable producers such as Baby G, Jam2, Skatta Burrell, and Don Corleon, and has performed at major Jamaican stage shows like Reggae Sumfest, Sting, Full Black, and Chug It.

In recent years, Ishawna has continued to release music and engage in diverse projects. Her singles “Vroom Vroom,” “Oola La la,” and “Cheerful Giver” have received airplay on XM Satellite Radio and numerous stations across Jamaica. Her music videos, including “Cheerful Giver” and “Restraining Order,” have been featured on MTV.com, with “Cheerful Giver” also reaching the top ten on the Tempo Network Cross Caribbean Countdown. In 2022, Ishawna signed an international record deal with New York-based Payday Records. She has also collaborated with Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean and Peetah Morgan from Morgan Heritage. Her work includes a collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the track “Brace It,” for which a music video was released, and her performances have included karaoke sessions with artists like Lil Nas X.