VI Legends: Where are they now: Mada Nile

Mada Nile is the legendary artist in the Virgin Islands. Her journey first began here on St. Croix USVI, she first started out with Sound Vizion Records, her first recording was worry nomore on the culturmelinium 2. Her first album was named Rise Today released in 2000, with the hit song Send I The Love.Her first collaboration was actually with Batch and Ras Attitude the song was entitled Bredrens and Sistrens. This legend has been in the game for about 19 years now, if that doesn't say legend I don't know what does. She's not been as active nowadays as far as performing in different venues, but she is still a legend. We touched base on the music industry in the VI and it's true we don't have a Sole music industry on St. Croix as well as the rest of the VI. Don't you guys agree that needs to change. The government needs to look into making the music industry better for these artists. She never thought of taking a hiatus from music, but feels like she needs some time to figure out how to improve her brand. She is multi-talented individual she does hair, she sews and on top of that she sings. She is a triple threat! "I Would Like to See" inspiration came from her comforting mothers who've lost their love ones, the song was actually built in California. There was a major gang issue in California and that ignited a flame to write about it. Inspiration also came from different things happening in America at the time. The following year she lost the father of her kids, and that pushed the drive to give the song more meaning to her. This song basically reflects on another mother is burying her child that died from gun violence which speaks volumes in the society we live in today. Her influences comes from different genres of music such as Soul music, Reggae, Bob Marley for example represents such a huge influence. She once opened for "Lady Saw" a then Dance hall singer from Jamaica now Gospel singer and she is truly her inspiration as an artist.Opening for Lady Saw was truly an humbling experience. Queen Africa is also another artist she looks up too, because of how humble she is. Jah 9 is serves as inspiration to her, she also opened up for her along with Tanya Stephens. She has opened up shows for other stars such as Beress, Iwayne and Turbulence. She inspired by every artists that she's met to say the least. Her favorite memory of performing was at Nevada City in California. The crowd began singing before she even began her set. There was 39 acts, among those acts were artists from the VI, Africa and Jamaica. The performance scale ranked from 1 to 10 she was ranked 1 out the many artist present that was her most memorable moment. Meaning she placed first if there is any confusion. She once shared the stage with legendary Reggae artist Taurus Riley at our annual "Crucian Christmas Festival." There were numerous talents that she's worked with this list includes, "Batch", Ras Attitude, Splaljah, Gange, Ambush. In conjunction with "Stop the Bleeding Foundation" and The Laiti Project. Mada Nile collaborated with some of the big names you know today that are ambassadors overseas for the VI in a project. Pressure Busspipe, Verse Simmons, Elijah Vega, collaborated to bring awareness to Stop the Bleeding Foundation. Cheryl Francis ran that foundation at the time. Upcoming collabs will be released soon we can't reveal too much, but they're stuff in the works. She leaves us with this message for the people of the VI. Tell our VI people we everything that we need as people it's right here. We need to embrace our land, appreciate what we have. Our island is lush and beautiful and we need to love our land, and don't forget to pray. There is no place like home, love yourself and love your home. St. Croix is flooded with talent everywhere you look and turn in all genres, the representation with the music industry as we said earlier needs to be more present. She loves the all of new artists in the VI as well as the ones with have been present on St. Croix. She gave praises to "Monea Richardson" an artist from Tortola BVI for all the great work she's been doing thus far. The music here in the VI is enjoyable, but some of the calypso needs to have much more sentiment to it, it needs to be more lyrical. Expand your brand of music to different ages. Daddy Friday was one of the best VI artists said Mada Nile, because whatever he dropped was a hit. He is definitely missed and has left a mark on the music industry in the VI . All the music that comes out is really refreshing and needs to be supported more in the community. She loves the upcoming and present artist we have right now. We've said this before and repeat it until it's registered. We need an industry that helps promotes and produce with these artists how they deserve to be promoted and even showcased.

Written By: Minoca Alexander

PC: Mada Nile