Adena Myrie performing at the Digicel Rising Stars live performance studio show, held at Courtleigh Auditorium, St Lucia Avenue, New Kingston, last Sunday. - Winston Sill

Being a sister of an International superstar doesn't automatically give one a head start in the music business, as Digicel Rising Stars top 10 contestant Adena Myrie can attest to.

Younger sister to reggae star Buju Banton, Myrie has been blowing away the audience each week with her powerhouse voice.

With a buzz in the streets that she could be one of the persons to make it to the top of this year's show, a bubbly Myrie spoke with THE WEEKEND STAR recently about her roots in music and about entering the show.

Having started out singing in church, Myrie soon tested her mettle by doing background vocals at various studios around the Corporate Area, including Tuff Gong, Arrows and with Sly and Robbie.

passion

"This year I just decided to enter Rising Stars. It's a way for me to showcase my talent and pursue a career in entertainment," she said.

With a hundred per cent support from her parents who know music is her passion, Myrie is looking to blend her love for reggae, dancehall and R&B to find her own unique sound.

While the singer doesn't advertise the fact that Buju Banton is her big brother, she isn't adverse to talking about him. She said, "we're pretty much close, I don't get to see him that much since he travels a lot, but we grew up together and all. I don't really bring it up to people that we're related 'cause to me, he's just my brother. When I entered the competition people were like saying Buju is your brother mi nuh need to enter but I prefer to do it on my own."

According to Myrie, one of her favourite songs is her brother's Destiny and she would consider performing one of his songs in the competition and one day work on a project together.

Thus far, entering Rising Stars has been a learning experience for the singer who received voice training for the first time on entering the show and she is hoping for the best. As for her favourite Rising Stars winners, she said that would have to be the first female winner, Cameal Davis, and Romaine Virgo.