Being the child of a reggae legend was never daunting for Jenieve Hibbert. Early in life, she was determined to follow her father’s path into the music business.
The Queens, New York-based singer is one of Toots Hibbert’s three daughters who have recorded songs and albums. Melanie, the eldest and Leiba, are the others.
Jenieve is currently recording her first solo album which she hopes will be released this summer. It is being produced by Small Axe Productions out of New York.
“Hallelujah”, lead single from the album, was released late last year. According to Jenieve, Toots, who died in September, 2020 from complications of Covid-19 at age 77, gave the song the thumbs-up.
She added that he always supported his children’s desire to perform.
“There was never any pressure. Dad just used to tell us that if it’s not done properly then you're going to do it again and again until it’s right, so that was inside pressure for sure but it has taught me to be dilligent when I am in the studio,” she said.
Eleven years ago, Jenieve and her husband, Robert Bailey, recorded an album titled “Juice”. Like that effort, her upcoming project “has a contemporary reggae gospel sound”.
Though she has done backing vocals for her father, most of Jenieve Hibbert’s career has been in gospel, starting in 1993. The yet-titled album is affirmation of her faith.
“God's strength and consistent presence in my life has helped me to stay strong and hopeful in the face of so much pain and uncertainty,” she said.
Written By Howard Campbell