Empress Akua grew up listening to soul and blues music in her hometown of Watts, Los Angeles, but during the early '90s, she discovered reggae and Rastafari. She has since recorded several songs and worked with other artists. 

On "Praise Jah", her new song, she teams with roots-reggae stalwart Fred Locks best known for the repatriation anthem, "Black Star Liner". The single is produced by Issachar Muzik out of Los Angeles. 

"Recording with Fred Locks was the most exciting thing about recording this song; he's a legend and I am honored. We easy vibed purely and positively, so it was easy to sing with him," said Empress Akua. 

The past year has seen her working with Lloyd Shaw of Issachar Muzik in LA, and in Jamaica with songwriter Sangie Davis, guitarists Earl "Chinna" Smith and Dalton Browne and keyboardist Franklyn "Bubbler" Wail, on songs for the label. 

Empress Akua has been part of the LA reggae scene for over 20 years. She got drawn to Jamaican culture after meeting singer/songwriter Haile Maskel there nearly 30 years ago. 

For her, "Praise Jah" has the ingredients for a perfect reggae song. 

Written By Howard Campbell

"What makes a powerful roots-reggae song to me is a bassline that makes you sway like a baby. I call that soul food; nice One Drop, you know. Pure, good vibe music that make you feel it in your soul," she said.