DANCEHALL SENSATION BAR-BEE RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE “WHOA!”

Dancehall singjay Bar-bee is currently in Jamaica, promoting her single Whoa. The single that premiered on BET earlier this year samples Sister Nancy’s hit Bam Bam.

“Whoa is fun, sexy, and has a party vibe. It is the creation of platinum production duo Rock City. Visually, the song is inspired by the ever-famous ‘black light scene from the 1998 cult classic motion picture Belly, of which I recreated in my own steamy way,” an excited Bar-bee told Splash.

Bar-bee said the video is still getting constant rotations, an accomplishment that she is extremely proud of.

“As an independent female artist, this is definitely a plus for me. I put in a lot of work and I’m marketing this single the best way I know how and now it is paying off,” she said.

The singer, who has remain low-keyed on the local scene for a little while, said in addition to promoting Whoa, she will also be busy in the studios recording several singles.

“I am really focused and it’s just work for me. Although I wasn’t in Jamaica, I was touring sections of Japan and Europe. However, I have always kept Jamaica close to my heart and keep up to date with the latest happenings,” she said.

Bar-bee, given name Faith Eselebor, was born in New York to Jamaican mother and a Nigerian father.

At age 16 Bar-bee was as a member of a girl group called Best Kept Secret. The group opened for acts including rappers Jadakiss and Cameron. The group later broke up. This did not damper her musical dreams as, in 2007, she released her first single Miss You, a collaboration with Junior Kelly.

She is also known for her songs Love You Anyway; Come See About Me, collaboration with female rapper Trina; herself and Beenie Man on Paddy Cake; and Give It Up.

— Simone Morgan-Lindo