Queen Ifrica had one of the best performances at Rebel Salute 2024 at the Plantation Cove in St. Ann. In a post performance interview, the spirited Jamaican artist shared her journey with the show, talked about her show stopping performances and appearances over the years since the early days. “I been touching the stage since 1998, from Mandeville, to St. Elizabeth, to Ochi here,” Ifrica recalled.
The Fyah Muma singer expressed her thoughts on the occasion of the show hitting its 30-year milestone, suggesting that compiling her best performances into a cohesive package would be a worthwhile endeavor. She remarked, “I need to put all of those together and look at the different changes.”
Reflecting on a memorable moment from the 2016 staging of Rebel Salute, Ifrica recalled entering the stage in a crane. Despite appearing calm, she revealed, “That was a timid night. I never knew that would work; I was going along with everything, I was like I going in a crane? alright cool. Who going take me off.”
Ifrica shared her performance strategy, emphasizing a heightened self-awareness and a deep love for herself. “I love self, and people look into the mirror for a lot of things except themselves, but when I look in that mirror, I am looking for myself, and if I don’t find her, I get worried, so obviously, I am finding her. I’m doing something right,” stated the Lioness On The Rise singer.
Addressing the critical issue of violence against women and children in Jamaica, Ifrica states, “It’s getting ridiculous, almost as if we don’t have any men here. I am wondering what’s happening, so it’s a Sankofa from the past to the present to where we are now. A unity our ancestors desired because they wanted unity on this island.”
A highlight of her performance at Rebel Salute 30 was the encircled wrap twisted hairstyle, which she says represents ‘positive portals,’ as an answered to negative influences that she says has entered the portal Jamaica. “If we are ‘portalling,’ we should allow elements of our good to portal in as well, Chris Brown come yah with him whole head a portal weh day yah inuh,” she said lightheartedly.
