Biography
Overview
Meet the unstoppable force of reggae, Natalie 'Isha Bel' Walsh – a vocalist, songwriter, producer, and actress on a mission to breathe life into her nightly dreams. Isha Bel is not just an artist; she's a reggae journeywoman carving her path across continents with potent songs that echo the soulful sounds of reggae's early days and the raw energy of modern urban beats.
Armed with a metallic voice that leaves an indelible mark, Isha Bel is steadily amassing a global following. She's a powerhouse in the roots reggae and digidub scene, occasionally exploring other genres, collaborating with heavyweights like Chaka Demus, OBF Sound Dubquake Records, and more. Her latest releases Nuh Call the Police , A Nuh Man Way "Every Little Thing" and My Reward , showcase her vocal prowess and dynamism.Beyond being an artist, Isha Bel is a visionary, steadily building a global following. Under her label, Kalinga Records, she has produced and released impactful projects, including the latest releases like "Still A Make a Way," "Second Nature," and the 2020 album "Hear Me Now (One Woman Army)." The album earned rave reviews from publications like Jamaica Star, Vision Newspaper in Canada, and Reggae Reviews, among others. It even secured a spot on Reggae Record Japan's "Album of the Week" and made it to the 2020 Reggae Grammy Consideration List.
The beginning
Hailing from the vibrant yet challenging streets of East Kingston, Jamaica, Isha Bel's music is deeply rooted in her upbringing. Influenced by her father, a great singer, and the eclectic sounds of her community, she credits her grandmother and Mr. Fuzzy (a singer and keyboardist with Mystic Revelation of Rastafari) for putting her on her first public stage. Against her parents' wishes, she ventured into the music industry, choosing her passion over a conventional 9-5 job.
Isha Bel's journey includes early professional experiences with the girl group 4th Street Sista and stints as a background vocalist for acts like Warrior King, Iley Dred, and LMS. After a hiatus, she reentered the industry in 2012 as Isha Bel, marking a spiritual evolution in her musical career. Here...
Evolution
Her journey is marked by achievements like winning the Irish & Chin 45 Sound clash competition with the unreleased track 'Nuh Call the Police.' Since then, she has relentlessly focused on creating music collaborating with producers locally and internationally. Some of the releases include Dub Reggae ft Isha Bel vocal pack released by New York cloud based Samples company Splice.several vinyl releases, such as Ancestor Song,.Bless Jah Holy Name, Cost of Living EP . Song like A Nuh Man Way and Cost of Living ep received regular plays by David Rodigan on BBC 1xtra & Couleur 3 fm in Switzerland. She has collaborations with Chaka Demus such as the recently released Time to have Fun on King Jammy’s Label and Beautiful Place on his 2019 album Success released by Jetstar.
In 2016, leading french sound and producers OBF Sound released a collaborative mixtape featuring Isha Bel and Wild Life (aka Nazamba), leading to her first tour, the Lightning & Thunder Europe Tour in 2017. The tour saw her grace stages in Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy, solidifying her presence in the global reggae community.
However, music is only one facet of Isha Bel's greater vision. She is on a quest to make a difference through various outreach missions. Through her label and initiatives like Rescue Youths Ja, she provides homework and back-to-school assistance in Rockfort. Additionally, she actively participates in the Theatre for Change Collective, tackling gender-based violence (GBV) and mental health issues.
Her involvement extends to prisons, co-directing Back to Niceness and Back to Fest in Majesty Garden (Back to) with Creator Family from Guyana. These initiatives unearth talents, raise funds for needy students, and contribute to the community. Isha Bel has received certificates of appreciation from the Rita Marley Foundation and Roots Foundation for her contributions to their outreach programs.
Currently, Isha Bel is focused on completing her upcoming album, "RockFort Heart," the eagerly awaited follow-up to "Hear Me Now." Promising a deeply personal exploration that spans the gamut of Jamaica's rich musical tapestry, she emphasizes that "Music is my therapist. I am just a vessel for the universe." Her rootsy and soulful rubadub style epitomizes this philosophy, capturing the essence of her artistic journey. There is also a second album release mid 2024 with Zion Cave Records in Switzerlnd.
To delve into Isha Bel's world, explore her internet links, watch the captivating video for "Still A Make a Way," and witness her mesmerizing performances on various platforms.
Dive into the reggae journey with Isha Bel – where every note tells a story, and every beat resonates with passion and purpose.