Jamaican singer Annalaex lit up the stage at Live Wire, held at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records in Kingston hosted by Rosh Reign. The soulful songstress made her debut with a live band — a first in her career — and left the crowd wanting more. World Music Views caught up with both Annalaex and Live Wire’s promoter, Carlton Davy of Young Kings Entertainment, for an exclusive post-show conversation.
ANNALAEA: FIRST TIME, FULL VIBE
Dressed in an eye-catching red two-piece outfit covered in sequins by Carnival Doll. The top is a halter-style bralette with shimmering fringe details hanging from the bust, while the matching mini skirt also features ruched details and dangling sequin fringe, adding texture and movement. Annalaea explained how she landed the gig: “I just reached out via Instagram. I told them I wanted to perform and they were interested in having me.” That initiative paid off in a big way.
“This was my first time performing live with a band,” she said. “It was very different from performing with a track — way more interactive. I loved the energy and I want to do it again. It felt so much bigger, I like that.”
With her shimmering outfit matching the fiery mood of her set, Annalaea turned heads and caught hearts. She cited fellow performer Tielo Lanez as her favorite act of the night, saying he was “comfortable on stage and knew how to engage the crowd.”
CARLTON DAVY: BUILDING A NEW WAVE
According to Carlton Davy, Live Wire launched in January 2025 with a mission to spotlight fresh Jamaican talent. “This was only our third staging,” he said. “We select artists based on their raw talent and drive. Annalaex reached out, and we’d already been watching her rise — she’s talented and determined.”
He praised her Live Wire debut as “a perfect fit,” noting, “She brought a different vibe, and she’s still building her fan base, but that’s the point. We want to introduce new names to the culture.”
Another standout of the night was the ‘Miss Pretty‘ artist Bayka, a rising trap-dancehall artist who rocked a sleeveless bright red muscle tee emblazoned with eye-catching white text. The front of the shirt read “BELIEVE THIS”, while the back delivered an unapologetic statement: “I DON’T GIVE A F*CK!” in large block letters. He completed the look with black sunglasses, braided hair, and a confident performance energy that matched the bold messaging of his outfit.
“Bayka impressed me,” Davy said. “He raised the bar and proved trap dancehall is here to stay. Young artists like him are ready for the big stage — they just need to keep it professional and stay focused.”
LiveWire is already planning more events, including an August 6 Independence celebration back at Tracks & Records and even events overseas. “We want to give people what we grew up on,” Davy said. “It’s about blending nostalgia with the new — offering a platform where young artists perform live and connect with a diverse audience.”
