Keida - Contributed

A singer who likes her 'Jamaican boys', Keida is a Jamaican girl thrown unexpectedly into music, but plans to pursue it in the future.

A final-year student at the Edna Manley College, pursuing visual arts, 22-year-old Makeida Beckford, also known as Keida, exploded on to the scene earlier this year with the popular song Jamaican Boys.

The easy-going singer, who finishes school in December, explained how she got started in music.

She said, "I never really planned on music but I always loved to sing. A friend of mine (deejay Leftside) heard me and encouraged me to to sing. I did the hook on a song of his that didn't get released and he encouraged me to do a single." Leftside produced Keida's first single, Jamaican Boys,on his KeepLeft Records, which she says went down extremely well with the local public, getting her name out in the business.

While music wasn't her first love, Keida says she plans to pursue it wholeheartedly as a career as soon as she finishes up school. In the meantime, the singer is learning the ropes of the business, making links and exploring who to work with.

She recently released her second single, the singjay-sounding Can't Get Enough, on Birchill's 'Mash Up' rhythm. She will also be releasing another single for Live Up records.

edgy songs

Keida also recently shot the video for Jamaican Boys that was directed by Jeremy Whitaker and will be released soon.

Having the support of her family, Keida plans to make big steps in music, doing more easy-going, but edgy songs.

Not wanting to be boxed in one particular genre, the singjay is open to different types of songs from roots to dancehall, as seen in her influences Tanya Stephens, Lady Saw and Bob Marley.

"I try to be optimistic for every decision I make, who to work with, everything as it comes. Hopefully, in the near future, I will have an album, a few more videos and ultimately to bring my music to the world," she said.