Her name is Jamila Falak and in Jamaica that name is just as uncommon as the upright bass, which she plays. Being both a singer and an instrumentalist are a stark juxtaposition in the portrait of the Jamaican music landscape. But Falak is and that carries with it diverse meanings ranging from heaven, to outer space, limitless and orbit but the one that may be most befitting to Jamila Falak is “ beautiful star”.

Born Jamila Falak James on November 27, 1993 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, music was always an integral part of her formative years. Jamila attended the Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay, which has a tradition steeped in musical excellence. During this period she further embraced her love for singing and instruments playing the flute, steel pan, violin to name a few. This became the true starting point of her musical journey.

Upon leaving high school, she furthered her musical education at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica where she obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Popular Music Studies majoring in voice. During her studies she was introduced to Esperanza Spalding, a singer and upright bass player, who had such a profound impact on her that she immediately opted for upright bass lessons. She joined the college’s classical string orchestra as a second violinist and later became its principal upright bassist. The rest is history. From this experience, Jamila has benefitted from the mentorship of world-class composer and musician, Peter Ashbourne.

Jamila is no stranger to the music industry and has worked as a support vocalist for artists such as Ernie Smith, Freddie McGregor and Cherine Anderson among others. She has provided vocal production assistance for mega stars such as Tessanne Chin and is a songwriter on projects involving Jesse Royal, Ding Dong, Wayne Marshall and others.

In 2016, Falak released her first solo video cover of Meghan Trainor’s – All About That Bass. This went viral on Facebook and has gathered international attention. In 2018 her cover got featured in Glamour Magazine’s “You Sang My Song” video series where Meghan Trainor saw the video. Trainor heaped praises on Falak for her arrangement of the song, and went as far as to say that she liked the Jamaican’s version better than her own.

Falak toured for the first time in March and April 2018 with her band for Club One New Releases season 5 2017-2018 in Trinidad and Newfoundland and Labrador, Canad and has performed at the annual Firefly event in Barbados in November 2018. She has also participated in numerous performances venued at the National Stadium, the United States Embassy and the National Gallery to name a few.

Jamila made her solo debut on January 22, 2019, releasing her first single “ LA AAA ADY” produced by her mentor, legendary Jamaican songwriter Michael “Mikie” Bennett along with Jamar Sonovic Roberts. Outside of music Jamila is also a fashion and eyewear mogul in her own right and is a brand ambassador for local Jamaican brand Heavy Mannaz and if you like Agent Sasco and “Winning Right Now” Falak makes an appearance in the video.

The possibilities are endless for this promising, limitless, young rising star. This warm, humorous, archaic soul aims to be a torchbearer for positivity and love; and gladly takes the responsibility of gearing others to seek the greatness that is waiting within.

“Positivity a change mi mood mi a rock this brand new attitude, dancing to this rhythm of life.” – Jamila Falak

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