If you hear the name Aya Higuma, you can automatically assume the person is of Japanese descent. So when you realize this pretty, doe-eyed gal is from a small town in Yokosuka, Japan, you know you’ve guessed right. But would you have any idea that she is a reggae queen recognized by some of the most reggae enthusiasts from all over Jamaica? While Aya has always been singing (she majored in the subject at her university in Japan), her beginning aspirations were to make it as a hip hop and R&B singer here in the States. While performing in musicals and live concerts in Yokohama and Tokyo, Aya Higuma made several trips to America to study Jazz and R&B. Then in 2002, she embarked on a courageous journey, leaving her home behind, to pursue her career as a full-time singer in New York City. After a few years of dabbling in the scene, she met Mr. Williams, a publisher of Where Itz At magazine, a publication dedicated to artists in the underground hip hop and reggae scene. Soon afterwards, her love for the groovy beats and relaxing sounds were set ablaze, hot enough to shift her focus from becoming a hip hop superstar to revamping herself into a reggae queen. The rest, you can say, is history. From then on, Aya has indulged herself in the reggae scene, singing and recording some of the old-time classics like “Sukiyaki.”

In 2005, she reportedly brought down the house with her magical, opening performance for Messenger Luciano at the Carib Night Club in New York. Fans and critics alike embraced her raw talent, and she is now a known figure in the reggae scene who continues to break down barriers and stereotypes of Asian artists everywhere. Right now, she is under the management of East West Enterprises – a Jamaican / Japanese collaboration formed to exchange the music of Japan and Jamaica, and we are all waiting for what she’s got in store for us next! Keep your ears open and listen carefully the next time you hear a siren singing a reggae track – it could be Aya! Go to www.myspace.com/ayahiguma to see what she’s up to next.
Sub Swara is getting you ready to party!
Sub Swara’s been busy lately. Doing what? Making their new album Coup D’Yah! Two years in the making, the 12 tracks on Coup D'Yah unleash the devastating bass-weighted sound, which has become the recognized trademark of the crew's eponymous NYC club night (First Fridays at Love), and its blazing live sets. Coup spans a broad spectrum, from the dub-wise depths to dance-floor crushing bangers. Sub Swara has carved a unique global footprint, leading with heavy ragga inflection, thick beats, wide basslines, and live organic instrumentation ranging from the drums and wind instruments of India to the marching horns of New Orleans. The album showcases the signature vocal talents of Zulu (Ghislain Poirier, DJ C), MC Coppa (Al Haca, Stereotyp), Napoleon Solo (Goonda NYC), and Sub Swara's own rising star Juakali (Sub Swara, Kush Arora, Pinch, D1 and more). If you’re wondering why they already have such a huge number of eager fans from all over the world who have been anxiously awaiting this album, go log on to www.myspace.com/subswara. Browse through a few of their opening tracks and let the music sweep you off your feet. What’s better: let the music MOVE your feet. And if you’re entranced by them so deeply that you know you’re always gonna want more, breathe easy. You can become a Sub Swara Media member! Simply put, you get all their latest tracks added with the VIP treatment at their selected events. How cool is that? You can go to www.subswara.com for all the details. Now let’s go party!