By Vincent Mattiola
In the male-dominated world of reggae, R&B, and afrobeat Caribbean music, talented female artists can face an uphill battle to establish themselves among the field of performers entering the scene. All too often, the standard mantra of determination, sacrifice, and perseverance alone falls short of the impact deserved, leaving ripples where there should be waves. To truly make a splash, it can take a few extra ingredients, but you won’t find this recipe in your typical cookbook.
With her roots in Jamaica, and a boundary-breaking approach to viewing music as medicine for the soul, one artist is persistently dedicated to following her heart. Sasha Dream is living this reality and writing her own story like a chef experimenting with blending rhythms, flavors, genres, and sensations.
She transports listeners to a time where the fondest memories were formed, leaving a warm, comforting sense of familiarity, while also raising the eyebrows of curious desires. To indulge in Dream’s music is to taste sounds, hear flavors, or smell beats in a way that “no matter what comes toward you, have it in your heart to know that each battle is a test of how strong you are” — her own words.
Her latest release, “Picture on the Wall,” is a remake of the 1972 Phyllis Dillon rocksteady classic, and a testament to the women of reggae and roots music. When she performed recently at the Atlanta Jerk Festival, her entertaining set aimed to “let [the audience] hear the true words from each song.”
As a mother, mentor, entrepreneur, and now performing artist, Dream has big ambitions to step into stardom within the soul, afrobeat, R&B scene. Smooth vocals, creative transitions, and genre-jumping EP releases are just the beginning. When the beat kicks at the opening of her single, “My Baby,” it’s impossible to not let yourself groove with the rhythm of her entrance. The more you listen to the song, the more nuance you’ll discover with intentional breaks and subtle, creative instrumentation, masterful vocal layers and confidence that draws you to hang on every word.
Her first single, “Think About Me”, was a catapult anthem originally written by Javon the Goat, who had been waiting for the perfect voice to bring the song to life. Dream showcases her versatility from the starting gate with melodic harmonies alongside lyrics which tether her among the most talented rappers in this genre.
While she climbs the ladder and continues releasing new content, the memory of her childhood brush with cancer is a motivation that we are all lucky to be alive. During our interview, she stressed the importance of always “remembering the people who were there for you” in the beginning, and the significant influence of family, friends, and positive role models for young people. When she’s not recording music or performing, she’s publishing cookbooks and dreaming of opening a restaurant. Listeners can find her singles on all major streaming platforms and follow her on Instagram to keep up with the latest upcoming shows and musical releases.
