Souljah Fyah
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
"Souljah Fyah showed up in top form, inspirational leader Janaya Ellis setting the room on fire with her heartfelt presence and constant call for positive action. . . . Ellis' tiny frame practically raised from the ground, glowing as her wild, dreadlocked mane spiraled around her head, following the beat. As the night went on, and sweat poured from every pore, Souljah Fyah solidified their reputation as one of the most dedicated and beloved local acts around . . . the supreme leaders of Edmonton's reggae scene." - See Magazine. January 12, 2006
"Four stars. Cynics, paid or otherwise, love to rag on reggae. "It all sounds the same," they complain. I dare them to say so after listening to Souljah Fyah's second effort, Truth Will Reveal. Fronted by a powerful -- yet graceful -- and charismatic woman, the local musicians offer the usual spliff-rolling, party grooves and social-activist lyrics, but they also add enough tantalizing ear candy to keep listeners captivated -- whether it be horns (Rwanda), ringing telephones (Fully Charged), trip-hoppish atmospherics (African Lyric) or a heartwarming conversation between singer/bassist Janaya Ellis and her daughter (Praylude). With her soft, tender vocals, Ellis (also known as Sista J) provides Souljah Fyah's greatest gift to reggae -- elevating it from an "I-shot-the-sheriff/No-woman-no-cry" cliche to an intensely personal and touching genre." --Sandra Sperounes of the Edmonton Journal reviewing Truth Will Reveal in March, 2008.
- Edmonton Journal, March 2008
"If anyone can attest to the primacy of the live gig over the recording, its the band that's packed more regular Sunday night gigs (yes Sundays. In minus-40-degree winters. When busses don't run on regular schedules) than anyone else in Edmonton for years." - See Magazine, DEcember 18, 2008
Discography
Forthcoming EP 2013
I Wish LP 2010
Tears of a Fool Single 2009
Truth Will Reveal LP 2008
Real Roots Reggae - A Canadian Story 2007
Souljah Fyah (self-titled LP) 2004
Souljah Fyah Live at the Sidetrack LP 2003
Souljah Fyah receives generous airplay on Canadian Campus and Community Radio, Galaxie Jammin' and CBC.
Photos
Bio
Souljah Fyah is emerging with a new sound - taking things to a whole new level. Deeply political and drawing on heavy dancehall influences, the new music prevails with a message of universal love and unity for all. 2011 and 2008 WCMA Winners, 2009 JUNO nominees, and twice-declared the best Reggae band in Canada by the Canadian Reggae Music Awards and the Reggae Music Achievement Awards, Souljah Fyah has a message of love, unity and truth that uplifts the spirits of every crowd.
We have played with Lilith Fair, the Edmonton Folk Fest, the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, and at the Grey Cup Festivals in Montreal and Calgary, but Edmonton is home, and over the past decade we have been Reggae's best evangelists in Western Canada.
We have been back in the studio and preparing to release our fourth album, and are excited about the prevailing of the message of love through this more heavy hitting sound.
It's on the merits of the live show, however, that Souljah Fyah has managed to accomplish what we have. As Shelly Gummeson from Earshot-Online wrote: "On and off stage...[lead singer] (Waymatea) 'Sista J' Ellis, exudes a high voltage, positive energy. Unfettered without setting limitations is precisely the attitude and energy that has propelled Edmonton's Souljah Fyah to become Canada’s top Reggae band."
--2011 winner, "Urban Recording of the Year - Western Canadian Music Awards
--2010 winner "Best Reggae Band" - Reggae Music Achievement Awards (two-time nominees in this year's awards)
--Souljah Fyah's 2009 Single "Tears of a Fool" recently reached #3 Canada-Wide on CBC's Galaxie Jammin' Charts. (January 2009)
--2009 JUNO Nominees "Reggae Recording of the Year" (First Alberta Band to achieve this)
--2009 winner "Top Reggae Band" - Canadian Reggae Music Awards (four-time nominees in 2009, and first Alberta Band to win in this category)
--2008 winner "Best Reggae Album" - Reggae Music Achievement Awards (three-time nominees in 2008, and first Alberta Band to win in this category)
--2008 winner "Outstanding Urban Recording" - Western Canadian Music Awards (First Alberta Band in history to win in this category)
--Single "Sweet Love" reached #1 on CBC Galaxie Radio in 2008 (Canadian Reggae) and is listed in the top 3 international reggae releases in 2008 by Stephen Neale.
--Sophmore album, "Truth Will Reveal" climbed to #1 across Canada (Earshot-Online.com) charting nationally in the top ten for 7 weeks (International Chart).
--Single "Rwanda" was featured on Ziggy Marley's "Ziggy Radio" in 2008.
--Single "Abundance of Good" charted at #1 Canada-wide for 12 weeks (CBC Galaxie Radio, 2007)
In November 2009, Waymatea was awarded AVENUE magazine's Top 40 under 40 Edmontonians “for bringing the world of Reggae to our city, and exporting it around the world”. She also received Global TV's Woman of Vision award in March 2007 as well as the Big Miller Award for music achievement for her work in building Edmonton's music scene.
Souljah Fyah's new 2009 Single "Tears of a Fool" is currently (January 2010) charting at #5 on CBC's Galaxie Jammin' Charts. Released July 25th, it is both a lamentation and a rally of strength for a mother who is a victim of domestic violence. It has been generously received by campus and community radio across Canada, and was featured on Earshot-Online.com. The "B-Side" is a dancehall celebration of our short Canadian summers titled "Eight Days of Summer". (Recorded at Sound Extractor Studios, Edmonton, Alberta)
Souljah Fyah's sophomore CD (produced by IBO at Smokey Room Productions) "Truth Will Reveal" dropped on February 9th, 2008. From that album, the first single "Sweet Love" reached #1 on CBC Galaxie Radio in 2008 (Canadian Reggae) and is listed in the top 3 international reggae releases in'08 by Stephen Neale. In addition, "Truth Will Reveal" climbed to #1 across Canada (Earshot-Online.com) charting nationally in the top ten for 7 weeks (International Chart).
With the passionate single "Rwanda" featured on Ziggy Marley's "Ziggy Radio" in 2008, and the single "Abundance of Good" charting #1 Canada-wide for 12 weeks (CBC Galaxie Radio, 2007), people are starting to talk about Souljah Fyah.
EARSHOT-ONLINE.COM FEATURE – Shelley Gummeson, NOVEMBER 2009
"On and off stage...(Waymatea) 'Sista J' Ellis, exudes a high voltage, positive energy. Unfettered without setting limitations is precisely the attitude and energy that has propelled Edmonton's Souljah Fyah to become Canada’s top reggae band."
SEE MAGAZINE, DECEMBER, 2008:
"If anyone can attest to the primacy of the live gig over the recording, its the band that's packed more regular Sunday night gigs (yes Sundays. In minus-40-degree winters. When busses don't run on regular schedules) than anyone else in Edmonton for years."
"TRUTH WILL REVEAL" EDMONTON JOURNAL REVIEW, MARCH 2008
"Four stars. Cynics, paid or otherwise, love
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