Women are holding their own in reggae music and although the industry remains largely male dominated, women are pressing on and marshaling their careers like never before.
One female who is making her presence felt is Shuga, the soulful vocalist from Montego Bay who has risen through the ranks to command her own presence in the reggae music space.
With her debut album “Girl From Montego Bay” scheduled for release later this year, she is busy doing promotional work with the lead single “Montego Bay. And she says it has been going well.
“The project is going well and I expect people to get me with this output. This body of will show my maturity.”
Montego Bay was released in November 2025, at a time when Jamaica was suffering from the impact of Hurricane Melissa. “We hoped that it would have been uplifting and inviting to people from overseas. It is a tourism anthem. As the Minister of Tourism said, the best way to show support for Jamaica is to book a ticket and come.
The 12-track album is produced by Penthouse Records and distributed by VP records.
Shuga has big plans for its promotion. “I plan to take it on the road. A second single will be released in March entitled “Run Come” which is a follow up to Montego Bay. So far I’ve been getting solid reception in Florida and New York has and the song has been showing great signs in Africa and Canada.”
She is hoping to get fans more intimately aquainted with the record at Reggae Sumfest this year.
As Reggae Month is being celebrated Shuga highlights the importance of the occasion and what it means to the music fraternity. “We celebrate reggae every month but February is special. It is important to take that time to celebrate our culture. I want to congratulate the Reggae Grammy winner Keznamdi and I am so proud of all the nominees. They promote their music in Jamaica and we used to rub shoulders together at local development sessions. I have great hopes for “Girl From Montego Bay because we do everything with passion so my expectations are high and winning a Grammy award is just one of them,” she said.
Born Mitsy Campbell in Montego Bay, Jamaica, “Shuga” began singing in church, where she learned to shape her tone within group arrangements. A five year period touring as a
background vocalist for Tanya Stephens gave her early exposure to international stages andthe pace of professional touring.
Shuga entered national view in 2009 after winning Digicel Rising Stars, later signing with Donovan Germain and Penthouse Records. Early singles including “Complicated Love,”
“9.58,” “Give My Soul to Jah,” and the Black History Month track “Ebony” defined an approach built on precision, direct songwriting, and a blend of roots and contemporary reggae.
Collaborations followed with Sly and Robbie, Marcia Griffiths, Queen Ifrica, Agent Sasco, and Bugle. Tracks such as “Love So Good” with Bling Dawg, “Stand Against Rape” featuring
Marcia Griffiths, Alaine, Tessanne Chin, and others, and “Ride De Riddim” expanded her presence on radio and in live lineups.
Her writing often reflects lived experience. “My Journey,” produced by Germain, traces her move from Montego Bay to Kingston and the long hours spent in studios to stay active in the
industry. She later recorded a cover of Cornell Campbell’s “Boxing Around” and contributed a rendition of “All I Want for Christmas” to VP Records’ Reggae Christmas Classics.
After a brief hiatus to focus on family, Shuga returned with steady releases and performances.
A Little Lion Sound freestyle gained traction across her digital platforms, and sets at the Marcia Griffiths and Friends concert in Florida and Rita Marley’s seventy sixth birthday
celebration underscored her alignment with major voices in reggae. In November 2024 she released “Love Doctor,” which received attention from Billboard and
preceded performances at the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival and the Tarrus Riley and Friends show in Kingston.
On February 14, 2025, she opened the Rock Away Valentine’s Concert at UBS Arena in New York on a bill with Beres Hammond, Sean Paul, and Shaggy. Her set included tributes to Marcia Griffiths, Dawn Penn, and Tanya Stephens, along with her own catalog. Hammond later offered strong praise for the performance.
Shuga also appeared at the UBS Arena show headlined by Beenie Man, which featured supporting performances from Christopher Martin and others, adding another major stage to
her recent run of live work.
She can be found across social media by the handle @shugamusic.