REGGAE ARTIST M'PRESS1LOVE

Although we still have a long way to go,  it is a known fact ;  Liberian music is improving and Liberian Artists are beginning to gain recognition for their God giving talent.  What I love about Liberian music is the distinctive sound and the unique flavor and creativity, that each artist brings forth . Mercy Zoe Sambola , also known as M'press1love , is a Liberian based singer. Her music is a mixture of reggae/Lovers Rock and Dancehall.

"Growing up I always had  a keen interest in music and  strong gravitation towards the Reggae genre of music. " - M'press1love

The reggae artist began singing in her church choir as a teenager and developed her talent by performing at local bars in Monrovia, restaurants , the Garden café and singing with live bands. After seeing the need for change within Liberia's progressing music industry and also the sociological and economical problems within Liberia , M’press1Love released her first single in February 2013 . The song ' Share the Love ' is about  peace and unity , the single introduced her to a wider audience and helped to establish her as the leading, Liberian female reggae artist.

The Singer has sense collaborated with other prominent liberian artists . To name a few ; Sweetz (Musulyn F. Myers), Benevee, Pitty D’Best, Tan Tan, Shadow, Killa Lu, 5ya and Ragga Hilton. M'press1love was featured on songs with Sweetz, Killa Beatz, Shadow and Co.Z.
The singer has been nominated for the Liberian Music Awards 2014; as new artist of the year, female artist of the year and reggae artist of the year. Her video for the song one more time has been nominated best video of the year and best video Africa.

Congratulations on your LMA nomination. What was your initial reaction,  when you found out about your nomination ?

" I was jumping around my house and acting silly with a big goofy smile all day lol, I felt accomplished . Especially after all my hard work, I put into my music "

Who is your musical icon ?

" I have a lot of icons, but I look up to the following the most; Bob Marley, Etana, Marcia Griffiths, Buju Banton, Jovi Rockwell, Miatta Fahnbulleh and the list goes on "

What can you tell us about your New album?

" Well it's my debut album title another love song.
It's a well rounded album that i believe appeals to every age group and it touches a lot of issues "

When was the Album released?

" It was released on the 4th of May 2014 . The launch was on Miami beach , in Monrovia.  "

As a Liberian born and based artist, what is it about reggae music, that appealed to you? 

" music appeals to anyone who has love for music and a good sense of music. Personally, my love for music goes way back to my childhood. now my love for reggae music also grew from my childhood , when I got strong with my spirituality as a rasta woman "

What is your favorite song on your Album?

"  I don't have one,  I love all my songs. They are all my favorite, each song has a message , the album theme is of peace ,love and unity "
" I have a song on the album called  ' for the children'. The song  is all about loving the little ones and protecting them "

As a Liberian female artist in a male dominated industry, how do cope ?

" I am not a quitter so i cope and battle challenges, matter of fact i like challenges. i work hard and act professional in everything and above all, with God I make it thru all the ruff patches "

What message would you give to other young ladies , who are New to Liberian entertainment?

" I will say to them,  be strong and focused, be professional and decent about the role they play in the industry . Never let any dream they have die, if you don't make it today, try another day "

We do not hear much about your personal  life,  why is that ? 

" yes,  I'm a private person "

5 words to describe yourself and another 5 to describe the album?

" ha ha ha I am confident, humble, fearless, creative and a Queen "

" My Album is about,  is love, peace of mind, lesson of unity and can rock any party "

What are some of  your hobbies ?

"   I love cooking, reading and writing songs "

What is your tribe and do you speak your native dialect?

"  my dad is from lofa and my mom is from cape mount.
in short i'm Liberian lol but I don't speak my native tongue "

How did you come up with your stage name,  ' M'press1love ' ?

" my stage name is simple, I'm a proud African woman and in Rastafarian, every African woman is regarded as a queen.
An Empress is also a queen "

" so since i'm a queen and my message is that of love and unity, I came up with the name M'press1Love "

We have noticed ,you speak Patios ( Jamaican broken English)  . Is there a mixture of Patios and Koloqua on the Album?

"  no the album has patios and standard English. There is  some koloqua from featuring artist , such as  Pitty' DBest "

Who else did you collaborate with  on the Album? 

"  I featured Pitty D'Best, Shadow, Ragga Hilton, 5ya, Tan Tan and Killa Lu on different tracks "

What do you have planned for the year ?

" well I have many plans , just can't say now. I'm still working on it,  I performed at the Sound City Wiz Kid and Timaya show and also the Bob Marley tribute concert on may 11th "

Are you signed to a Record Lable? 

" no i work independently "

What female artist do you hope to work with some day?

" Etana is the first name that comes to mind , and I would like to work with Jovi Rockwell also lol "

Is there a competition of  'who is the best ' female Liberian artist ?

"  we don't have a market for music now and there is no real money in the industry , so i don't see a competition "

" I appreciate all the talent ,I come across in my homeland. I don't really have a favorite,  but give it up for my fellow bad gal Sweetz. "

What do you think about other Liberian media outlets including LSV ?

"  I think its a great way to get our talent exposed and I salute the efforts made in that direction "

What are hopes for liberian music and entertainment?

" I hope to see us get the exposure and economic growth.
I was in Accra a few weeks ago and all the place i've been, I did not hear one Liberian song .
I want to be in Accra and hear lib jawns banging at spots,
I want our entertainment as a whole to cross borders,
now that work is left to us entertainers, our producers and media houses to put our industry standard work and push it globally "

And we agree!  Like and Follow M'press1love Facebook page for updates on the star.

www.liberiamusicawards.com / M'press1Love
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