Born
26 years ago in Jubilee hospital, Kingston, Jamaica
on a cold Wednesday morning, Fiona Robinson announced
her arrival to the world.
After
the first five to six years of her life were spent with
her grandmother in Tivoli Gardens, Fiona moved to Washington
Gardens to be closer to her mother. It was during this
time she realized her budding passion for music and
singing.
Surrounded
by aunts and uncles who were in choirs, a father who
is a drummer, another uncle who was a DJ on JBC radio
and Power FM and family friends such as Dean Frazier,
Fiona’s musical journey was just about to begin.
As
an only child, Fiona enjoyed her own company, but also
found herself loving the spotlight that went with it;
the same spotlight that would soon join her on stage.
On many Sundays she would listen to her uncle rotate
his DJ selections for his upcoming radio slot. Soon,
Fiona knew most of the songs she heard and had committed
to memory including the Bob Marley special played by
her Father when she was only three years old, and she
could sing along with them as confidently as Bob Marley
himself.
A
student of Mico Practicing All Age School, Fiona remembers
prior student Nadine Sutherland visiting the school
after she became a household name and watching her fellow
students full of excitement. Fiona dreamed of the same
success and became even more determined to make it as
a singer, telling herself " I want to be her someday!"
She
began singing at Raleigh's Key Club while still at school
and, as a poetic youngster, she found it easy to write
lyrics, putting them to music from an early age. Influenced
by some of the great divas of that time, Pam Hall, Marcia
Griffiths, Chevelle Franklin, Gladys Knight, Aretha
Franklin, Patti Labelle, Brandy and Monica amongst others,
Fiona spent her spare time listening to and imitating
these remarkable talented women, even now.
During
her young teens, Fiona participated in a concert program
for young talent presented by Jamaica's JBC television
station. Her audition piece was a rendition of a popular
Regina Belle song, and this performance caught the producer’s
attention and earned her a regular spot on the weekly
show "Concert Time ." From there she was included
in many similar productions including the premiere spot
at the " Santa's Enchanted Village"- a Christmas
type grotto, where she sang in several performances
over the course of the evening. Fiona sang every song
in accapella and wooed the audience evening after evening.
She
was discovered in her later teen years whilst relaxing
at home. Answering the phone one afternoon, she was
asked to hold the line for a moment, Fiona continued
singing to herself without realizing that the person
on the other end of the phone was producer Kelvin Simmons
who returned to the phone thinking that the radio was
playing. As soon as he discovered it was the same young
lady who had answered the phone, he did not waste any
time!
Within
days Fiona found herself in the studio recording her
first single. She describes her first experience in
the studio as a totally incredible experience, actually
being in a studio where other great artists had probably
stood and sang before her! Nevertheless, a natural in
the studio, Fiona recorded her first single "You
Mean The World To Me" previously done by Toni Braxton
and, Fiona even sang her own backing vocals, something
that the studio crew found quite remarkable for such
a new artiste.
Now
a second home to her, Fiona found herself in the studio
on a regular basis from 17 years of age, juggling a
job and studio work. This led to her eventually meeting
sound engineer Jason Sterling and producer Lloyd Campbell
who were ready to take her to the next level of her
career.
Fiona's
first recording on the Joe Frasier record label was
"For You I Will " a cover version of a recent
Monica song. This was musically her first big project
in the studio, as she met with other vocalists who helped
her develop her vocal skills. She also developed a deeper
knowledge of backing vocals during this time and also
a good strong work ethic. What she remembers most was
how she felt so good to be surrounded by continuous
positive vibes. Now that she was on her way forward,
she had people around her who could really project her
into the career she had always dreamt of being a part
of.
As
Fiona's recording career grew, she found herself meeting
and working with some of the best artists, producers,
engineers and musicians in the industry. From Pam Hall
who she describes as her teacher, and one of her biggest
fans, to Richie Stevens, Tanto Metro & Devonte,
Patrick Roberts, J.C. Lodge, the late Cynthia Sloss,
Glen Washington, Lukie D, Lexus, Singing Melody, Rik
Rok, Shaggy, Kashief and Nikeisha Lindo, Willie Lindo,
Kirk Davis (Little Kirk) Jon B. and the infamous Beenie
Man, whom she had the privilege of being on tour with
in Japan. These are a few of the many entertainers she
describes as having the pleasure to work with in some
shape or form.
One
of her most memorable occasions to date, was her performance
at South Florida's Reggae Soca Awards Show earlier in
2001. This is where Fiona won an award for "Female
Vocalist Of The Year," her second award in this
category and a very special moment for her receiving
this award and, she took time to acknowledge her mother
who flew in from Jamaica to be with her on this prestigious
event, at which time Fiona broke into tears because
her Mother plays the most important role in her life;
her number one fan. Fiona took center stage and was
able to perform a song she loved, in a style that her
fans could really appreciate. "No More Lonely Nights"
was the track she chose and it was received incredibly
well by her audience.
So
several years later after Fiona first entered the recording
studio, where is Fiona now compared to her peers? "Well
there isn't any competion between us female singers,
we all love each other" says Fiona. As the proud
recipient of several music awards, it's obvious where
her fans rate her. Whilst it isn't a competition to
Fiona, who has worked alongside many of her female counterparts,
she enjoys the recognition and the appreciation that
goes along with her success. "The view from the
top is good!"
Fiona
has recently released a gospel album in the UK, aptly
titled " He Cares" that boasts a different
type of gospel music, not a traditional sound, but ranging
from reggae through jazz, Hip Hop and R&B influences.
This is only the beginning for Fiona as she expresses
a future desire to work with some of the current greats
in R&B, including Babyface, who she admires for
his musical arrangements, since her teen years, Sean
" Puffy " Combs, Freddie and Rodney Jerkins,
Missy Elliot and Timberland, as well as Mariah Carey
and the king of pop and a musical genius, Micheal Jackson.
Her first album released with Joe Frasier Records in
1999 " Fiona's Moment" is followed by her
latest release " Wanna Make Love". An album
that promises to take you on a musical journey from
it's opening melody to the very last beat. It boasts
18 superb songs on CD ranging from gospel inspired tracks,
conscious lyrics, heart warming love songs to uplifting
fast moving melodies, guaranteed to lift your mind,
body and soul.
The
incredible voice of Fiona has come a long way over the
years, something that can only be gained through determination
and experience. The artist Fiona has also matured over
the years and does not take her success for granted.
"You can't do it alone, no one can", she says,
" I wouldn't be here today if I didn't have the
love and support of my family and friends, and the mercy
of GOD".
Still
on the tip of the iceberg, Fiona Robinson has arrived.
This is her time now. This is Fiona's Moment!
Lady English
"Keep the vibe alive"
|