Naomi Cowan: How A Hit Song Became An Album And A Love Letter To Reggae

We welcome the Paradise Plum, Naomi Cowan back to unpack the heart behind her debut album, Welcome To Paradise. Inside the studio with producer Toddla T and co-writers like Runkus, she found a collaborative space where her vision held, her pen stayed sharp, and the sound fused lover’s rock warmth, subtle dancehall undertones, and modern storytelling. We dig into the album’s cohesive arc, the intimate interludes featuring her parents, and how family history roots the record in a lineage you can hear.

Paradise isn’t a place on a brochure; it’s a feeling you experience through community, love, and the music that carries you there. Naomi shares how portraying music legend Marcia Griffiths in the Bob Marley biopic re-centered her commitment to making a fully reggae album, free from trend-chasing and built for longevity. 

The conversation turns to a deep introspection love—romantic, communal, and self-directed.  Naomi shares her perspective on how today's culture treats independence as a badge of honor without the context of its potential isolation. She makes the case that partnership is a spiritual practice, that real growth requires letting others in, and that reggae remains a living vessel for these truths. 

We also celebrate the sisterhood rising in reggae with artists like Sevana, Jaz Elise and Lila Iké, showing how authenticity dissolves competition and strengthens the scene. Along the way, Naomi opens up about performing the new songs, balancing album promotion with relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa, and why this project is meant to grow on human time, not algorithm time.

Chapters

• 0:33 Welcome And Naomi’s Return
• 1:06 Hurricane Impact And Community Response
• 6:42 Music’s Role In Real-World Healing
• 6:46 The Birth Of “Welcome To Paradise”
• 10:20 Reggae First: Lessons From The Bob Marley Film
• 12:35 Preparing To Portray Marcia Griffiths
• 15:49 Recording While Filming In London
• 17:40 The Creative Trio: Toddla T And Runkus
• 21:11 Artistic Autonomy And Safe Collaboration
• 24:04 Crafting A Cohesive, Personal Album
• 27:18 Love As Theme And Origin Story
• 31:20 Partnership, Self-Love, And Spirituality
• 35:38 A Call For Compassion And Connection
• 38:38 Nostalgia, Lover’s Rock, And Dancehall Threads
• 41:45 Letting Intuition Lead The Tracklist
• 43:47 Sisterhood In Reggae’s New Wave

Transcript

Mikelah: 0:33

Hello, everyone, and welcome to another edition of the Style and Vibes podcast with yours truly Michaela. If you are new to the family, welcome, family. And if you are returning, welcome back, family. And we have family here today because Naomi Cohen has already been on the podcast and she is returning because she recently launched her debut album, Welcome to Paradise, Naomi. How are you doing?

Naomi: 0:59

I'm doing great. I am doing good. Very good.

Mikelah: 1:03

Thank you for the introduction. Absolutely, absolutely. So you are back in Jamaica, but you have done some recent travels promoting the album, but we cannot kick this off without talking about the woman that the Hurricane Melissa. Um, so I hope you and your family are okay. I did see some social media videos that you have shared about um maybe some family being impacted. Tell me about um that for you. Like, what is the state of the island? Um, what state are you in? And just share like your thoughts and feelings right now.

Naomi: 1:42

Yes. So to answer your question, you know, I'm I've only been back home for a few days. You know, the thing is that I live in Kingston, and so I was spared from the majority of the extreme damage that you see online, but it doesn't mean that I wasn't affected. You know, in other words, Jamaicans, we are a very close-knit nation of people. And so, you know, as you know, that as soon as the hurricane hit and was cleared, many folks just got going in terms of figuring out how to support those that were affected. You know, I do have immediate family that was affected by the hurricane in St. Elizabeth, you know. So, in terms of how things are on the island, I think we're all just figuring out how we can continue to help. You know what I'm saying? We're going into the Christmas season now, and it doesn't necessarily feel like the typical holiday season, of course, because it's not going to be the norm for many, you know. Um, so it's it's a a very, the word I would use is a sobering time right now. But at the same time, you know, Jamaica, everyone is still making sure that they're enjoying themselves at the same time. But I have not really been out and about since I've been home just because I was on the road traveling and stuff like that. So, you know, even for me this weekend, I have a Christmas treat I'm doing on Saturday at a girl's home. So just getting back into the swing of things, but also being cognizant of once again, like what the new year looks like, ensuring that we're all prepared for the next chapter of this recovery process. Because it's a long road, you know, and it's gonna all happen in phases. That's really what it is. Yeah.

Mikelah: 3:20

I love that you talked about it happening in phases. As we're recording this today in New York, they're preparing for a really big benefit concert uh with a lot of artists. And I think one of the biggest things that we've seen is how close-knit the the music community is, and how so many of everyone has really rallied around supporting people in spaces and places that really need the help. And it's been um very um heartwarming, I think, to watch, especially from afar, um, because you can't get to the island. And, you know, that that feeling of not being able to help, but seeing like this disaster, it's very interesting, you know, being, you know, so far away and wanting to help. Yeah. Um seeing so many people really just rally around um the needs, the everyday needs, the immediate needs. And like you said, it's such a long road to recovery that I'm looking forward to kind of touching the ground and, you know, in the future being able to do something. But what was it like kind of seeing everyone really come together for you as it was unfolding from the music community? I know how I felt, but I I would love to hear your thoughts.

Naomi: 4:43

Yeah, I mean, I think the the feeling that I would say you get from something like that is just recognizing that we are who we say we are. You know, in other words, it was just proof of concept of what Jamaica has always stood for. So I think for me, it was just um a reminder that we really are a special nation, a very special group of people from the Caribbean, and that we stand on what we represent, which is out of many one. You know, you really saw what oneness looked like. And even some of the interviews and content you would see coming from different spaces where people who had nothing to begin with were still showing up for their neighbors. You know, once again, that goes back to the heart of who we are as Jamaicans. You know what I'm saying? And just the way that we've always been not only a driving force, but also been supportive to anyone in need, you know. If you look at the the way that our island is is made up, we have always welcomed as many different people to be here and to consider this place home. I mean, I can't tell you the amount of foreigners that you see come to Jamaica, let's say they come here for a couple of years to work or something, and then they end up settling and this becomes this place becomes their home. They immediately, I've never seen a country where so many people attach to it like it's their home, ever. You know what I'm saying? Um, and I think there's something just very special and magical here that does that. But at the at the core of who we are, we're very loving and strong, and um and we have a natural humanitarian element to us, you know? And so I am grateful for that, and I just hope that the world can see that and and that we can um continue to do what we're doing in how we influence people.

Mikelah: 6:36

And I think it also definitely like solidified how much the music impacts not just your everyday life, but real life. You know what I mean? So, speaking of music, we definitely have to talk about your latest project, Welcome to Paradise. Um, so the last time we spoke, you had your mixtape, and of course, Paradise Plum was, you know, the song that a lot of people recognize and know you for. So tell me about bridging those two and why that was important for you with this project.

Naomi: 7:10

Yeah, I think um it was important for me to bridge the two because, you know, I think I have been blessed with a song that really not only transformed my life and my career, but also became a part of my identity. You know, like in other words, the name of this song, Paradise Plum, has become synonymous, I think, with who I am as an artist. And um I think one of the things I've recognized in my career is that, you know, many artists really hope for one or two hit songs or whatever the case is. But I've had the privilege of not only having a hit, but also something that's become synonymous with me and my um, I think my essence and my personality and my brand and everything, you know, in terms of Paradise Plum, because people literally just call me Paradise Plum sometimes, or they call me paradise. Which, you know, it's it's almost like such to me, I just it's such a privilege because Jamaica is paradise. So the fact that, you know, um someone would look at me and just be like, Well, go on paradise, it's like I feel like you're just looking at me and seeing the beauty of Jamaica shining through me. That's how I feel. And that's one of the things I try to embody in in as many ways as possible. So I say that to say that I did not want the moment to pass in my life where I didn't create an album that um I would say encapsulates and embodied the journey to paradise, you know? Um it was important that I cemented that part of my story as well. That's really what it was. And just paying tribute and homage to Jamaica itself, to reggae music and my journey as a woman, you know. I think it was, you know, when I was working on the Bob Marley movie, I just had this revelation that I had to find a way to um not complete the circle because the journey is going on and on and on, but it was more about I needed to ensure that um Paradise Plum was given her big bouquet of flowers because of how much I grew since putting that song out and how much um the song has served me in my career. So yeah.

Mikelah: 9:34

You you released a lot of singles between that project and this one. You've tried so many different sounds as well as kind of fine-tune what I hear on this project. How have you grown as an artist between that project and this one?

Naomi: 9:53

Yeah, as you rightfully said, so I have experimented a lot and explored, I don't even want to call it experimenting. It's just me being expressive based on where I was at in terms of different sounds and influences. And um in terms of where I'm at now, you know, as I shared when I was working on the Bob Marley film, I had already had an intention of recording an album. So, funny stories, I was going to begin recording this album in what you would call the fall. So September, October, November of 2022, right? But ironically, I think it was uh in September or late August was when I auditioned for the movie. And it's one of those things I auditioned, but I was already mentally just focusing on taking the time at the end of that year to start working on an album. And then, as you know, fate would have it, I get casted for this film. And so that, you know, delayed the album process a bit more. But what working on the film did do for me was remind me of the power and the significance of reggae music, as well as the importance of Jamaicans continuing to lead the charge in terms of the growth of our genre. So while I was working on this film, here it is. I'm I'm not only a part of one of the biggest Jamaican films that would probably ever be made, but also I am here reliving the story of one of the biggest artists in reggae and their journey to not just worldwide success, but their journey to becoming a legend. And so what it did was remind me of my roots, one, my responsibility to, as well as um my legacy in this genre, and that there's a there's a lane that I meant to continue to carve out as I move forward, and that this album needed to be um fully, fully, fully reggae. You know what I'm saying? So um that's why when you listen to this project, you hear a lot of nostalgic sounds, as well as with the freshness of my writing and other things. But I'm I just remember working on this film and thinking to myself, like uh this has to be a full-on reggae album, you know? Um, no compromises in terms of trying to fit into whatever might be trending at the time. Because I think that tends to happen as well with music where, you know, something might be trending in terms of a sound, and you might be thinking, all right, like let me infuse a little bit of this, that, that. I said, no, I'm just gonna do what feels right for the album and treat this like a timeless project that I hope that will be played for generations to come.

Mikelah: 12:35

So since you talked about the movie, playing Marcia Griffiths, who's part of the i3s, how was that experience in terms of preparation? How did you prepare for taking on that role? And what was it like watching you back on the big screen as part of this production?

Naomi: 12:57

Yeah, I mean, it's funny because there's a part of me that already felt so prepared for the role, if I'm being honest. Mainly because I have been embodying her for quite some time. You know, in other words, when I began working in music full-time, if you want to call it that, you know, as some people would say, taking it seriously. When I began that journey, she's somebody that I literally studied. You know, I would just go on YouTube, look up interviews of her, watch her performances. I always incorporate some of her songs into my sets and stuff like that. And so at the very least, I felt prepared for the audition. And then when I did get the role, um, one of the other ways that I prepared was to really think about her and her life experiences and how I could relate it to mine. You know, I interviewed her, stayed in touch with her throughout the entire process because, you know, there are certain little things that may have been happening behind the scenes that you wouldn't know just from looking at a video online. And so I had the privilege, thank God, of being able to talk to her and say, you know, during this concert or this particular tour, what was happening in your life? And then what I would do is just think as if I was her. So, in other words, you know, if she's on tour with Bob Marley, but at the same time, she was already established as Marcy Griffiths. How would that feel for me as a solo female artist being on tour as a background singer for somebody else? You know, those are there are probably a lot of mixed emotions. You're probably thinking about your own work and you want to go back to the studio or you want to, you know. Um, so that's one of the ways I prepared for it was literally putting myself in her exact shoes. And as I said, thankfully asking her what influenced everything. Like there's certain movements she did on stage that when you look at it, you might have you wondering if she was upset or happy or, you know, and then I was able to ask her what was going through her mind. And that helped me to um embody her in a way that I think was genuine and authentic, not just to her, but to me. And then of course, I mean, you know, seeing yourself on the big screen, it was it was a lot of fun, you know. Meaning, um, I think, you know, when we all saw the movie for the first time as a cast, we were just all excited, cheering for each other as each person hopped up on the screen. You know what I'm saying? It felt different because it was a movie. You know, obviously I've seen myself on screen in different capacities, but this was very special. And, you know, even at the premiere, to just know that we were in a room with a lot of people that played a role in Bob's story as well. You know, Rita Marley was there. Auntie Marcia was there at the premiere and stuff like that. All of those things were very special.

Mikelah: 15:41

So, timing-wise, did you hold off on recording Welcome to Paradise until after the movie, or did you do that at the same time?

Naomi: 15:50

I began recording it at the same time. So I actually had met a producer while I was in London for the film. And so, as I said, I already had planned to record an album, but at the time I had not partnered with anyone as yet, and I was seeking somebody to collaborate with. So when I met this producer in London, Toddla T, and we just worked so well together. It was crazy. It was just very seamless, it was very easygoing, it was very natural that I said to myself, I said, you know what? Maybe this is the person because I had been looking for somebody to work with. Right. And um I approached him and I said, Hey, I have this project I want to do. I'm here for a couple more months. What do you think? X, Y, Z. And he said, Yeah, let's do it. And so we just started while I was over there and then continued after the film. Honestly, I'll be honest, we didn't overthink anything in terms of strategic timing and whatever. We just did what felt right in the moment when it came to the recording process.

Mikelah: 16:50

That was definitely gonna be one of my next questions. How did you, how did you um get together with Toddler T and what industry in terms of writing and production? You said it it sounded like it felt seamless, like you guys hit it off uh immediately. Um, so tell me about that.

Naomi: 17:08

Yeah, sure. So I I do have to mention and bring into the conversation Runkus, who is one of my best friends, one in the world, and then two, um, one of my He's also on email. He's on the album, but he's a huge part of the album because he introduced me to Toddler.

Mikelah: 17:28

Okay.

Naomi: 17:29

You know, so while I was in London, Runkus was like, yo, you need to go and link up with Toddler. I think you guys would work well together. And so from that point on, what happened is when Toddler and I agreed to do this album, he said, Well, of course, you know, we need Runkus in the room for everything that we're doing. You know what I mean? So it was really us as a trio that wrote. Um, obviously, like Runkus and I are really great co-writers. A lot of the songs I already had kind of pre-written, not all, some of them. And then what happened is we just expanded and made it 500 times better than if I was working on my own. You know, so this was a process of love and and collaboration. I've always been a writer. I've always written most of my music. There's not very many songs that I have that I've never written. Um, maybe one, actually, called Glowing on the Stargirl Project, but everything else I have written. So for me, um, being able to work with other people and bring in fresh perspectives that helped to elevate what I'm doing was a blessing. You know, because in this industry, yes, it's great to be able to do everything on your own, but then you know that we work better in numbers sometimes. So the process was fun. We had a lot of fun with it. There was a lot of love. Nobody was in the room trying to outshine the other person. I'm really grateful as well that I just had people who had my best interests at heart and they didn't have any personal agendas. You know, in other words, one of the things Toddla would always just remind me of is to say, listen, this is your project, this is your vision. I'm just here as a facilitator. So whatever you want to do, let's go for it. And as a woman, you know, we oftentimes always have to fight for that part of things, I find, you know, because sometimes people want to tell you what they think you need, and you already know what you need. So to work with people that I didn't have to argue with, and I didn't have to be, you know, having to be stubborn and strong-headed in order to move my vision forward was just, I felt very much like at peace. I was very relaxed. It was very restful for me. It was very, I don't want to say healing, but it was just a joy. You know what I mean? Because I've just had a wide variety of experiences and also for artists, not just women, but artists oftentimes, I don't know what it is where people think that they need to tell an artist what to do. Because at the end of the day, like the music is not gonna happen without the artist, right? And so I think there is sometimes in the industry there's been this very strange culture of non-artists and other professionals in music trying to tell us who we should be and what we need to do. And we already know, you know, we have a God-given talent, all of us, a certain gift inside of us, that we really have to continue to listen to our inner voice to move ourselves forward. I think the biggest word I would just use is I was just so thankful to work with people that saw me for who I was. That wasn't trying to make me anything other than who I felt I needed to be in that moment. You know, and and I think a lot of folks felt that. Through the music. I've had people come to me and say, Boy, I feel like I know you know, you know, that's a very privileged thing to hear as a singer and an artist and as a public figure. If you feel like you can feel me through the music, then my job is done.

Mikelah: 20:45

From beginning to end, it is such a cohesive project. So, so commendable. It is absolutely, absolutely such an amazing listen because it is so cohesive, and with every song, it kind of builds on the last. And it's just like, no, my girl, now you want me to get in your pocket, my girl. This is it. Like as I was listening to the entire album, I just felt more in love with you as an artist, as a writer. I felt like this is you, and you needed to kind of go through that journey of exploration to get to this point. And I really felt the confidence for whatever reason. And as you're describing your working journey and how easy it was to produce this album, I can really, really tell you incorporated your mom and your dad and moments throughout in the intro, as the interludes, like it just flows so well one into another. And that's what I mean by like it's such a cohesive project. And it felt so effortless. Like, how did you incorporate mom and dad into it as well as like ending with like the legacy part? Like that sounds like a voice note where you're frustrated and you just needed to pursue. Like, I just felt all of that energy. So tell me about incorporating those moments into this project.

Naomi: 22:25

Yeah, well, thank you. First of all, you know, thank you for listening with such intention. I think I have been blessed with reviews and perspectives from people that genuinely love music and that pay attention to what an artist is doing or what an artist is saying. So I do have to say thank you very much. Not just for your feedback, but just for taking the time and opening your heart and your mind to receive the music. It's not taken for granted from my standpoint. So, um, as you said, there are some moments that we put throughout the project. Two things. I'd never intended for this to be such a big love album, if I'm being honest. We just kept writing music, and I guess maybe what I was experiencing and what was top of mind for me was love. And then, truthfully, when I look at my life and the way I was brought into this world, I feel as though I was brought into this world as a byproduct of a very deep love. I feel as though I was born in love. I was born out of love. And that's a privilege. You know, um, many of us were born into not so healthy environments and not so positive spaces. And lots of people have had to spend their lives and their lifetime fighting to find that. And I was born out of that. I wouldn't say I was born into the perfect life or anything like that, because I have a very interesting family. But what I will say is at the very least, my parents, they really share a special love. And then on top of that, they are bonded by their love for music. And beyond that, they wouldn't have met if it wasn't for the genre of reggae music, you know? And so my life story began before I was even born, all of us. But the fact that I have proof of that and I can trace it, it's a very rare thing. And so I wanted to make sure that that was a part of this album in particular, since this was my first album. And this was an album that kind of culminated a lot of musical and personal growth. I don't know where the idea came from. I just all of a sudden, after we made one song or two songs, I said, boy, Toddla, you know, there's this interview of my mom in the 70s or the early 80s, I can't remember. Like the opening audio is of her before I was way before I was born, you know, and it was her as a single woman, never met my dad before. And you hear her voice talking about reggae music. You hear her talking about being a woman in the industry. So here it is, like she was already on this journey, and then life would have it, that she would connect with this person that would bring me into the world, and then I would be guided on my own path to finding my love for reggae. So I just felt it was like a non-negotiable that I needed to be be sure that these elements were added to show people who I really am and what I was birthed out of, you know, and then on top of that, it's just also to pay a tribute to them in a very special way. And I wanted to be sure that I left pieces of them in the album.

Mikelah: 25:28

It's so interesting that you say love because throughout the entire album, it kind of feels like you're having this love affair, but it could be a person or it could be music. So it has that double meaning of who you are as a woman and experiencing love, but also your relationship to music, and they kind of do this like beautiful dance of like, is she talking about music or is she talking about love? Is she talking about both? And I think that, you know, in our conversation, your inspiration behind it really shines through. So I don't know that it was intentional, more so that it was like destined to be within this project because of where you are on your journey. Is that a good assessment? Yeah, I think he I think he nailed it.

Naomi: 26:22

Um, you know, I I think one of the things I have observed, just the way that we've grown as a society and the way we have all found ourselves as human beings. I will say that I feel as though there's been this war on love, right? And I and I know it was birthed out of the independent woman era, which is very important and has done a tremendous service to society. You know, the way that women have been able to carve their own paths and become who we are. But at the same time, I think some of the messaging that has influenced us, not just as women, but men too, is that we don't need each other anymore. And that even the presence of a partner is going to take you away from whatever you think that goal in life is. And I think that is the complete opposite of humanity. As a matter of fact, I think we were placed on earth to learn from each other. I think we were placed on earth to grow with each other, to love each other, you know, also to hurt each other at some points in time too, because we grow out of pain. But there's been this war on partnership, I've noticed. You know, and so I don't know if it's in my own journey and my own um desire for that. It's like I just kept writing songs that represented not just love, but like partnership. There's a difference between, you know, romanticizing and being in love and being in love and being in love, and then deciding to actually build a life with somebody and create a new world with them. You know, because when I think about family, I don't just think about let me have a baby and start a family. I think family starts with a partner and you and that person deciding what do we represent as man and woman, you know? What do we want our last name to represent? What do we want our legacy to be as a couple, you know, whether you're married or not? Like the thing is that I think when two people come together, they they decide on, they can decide if they think about it consciously. They can decide on what mark they want to leave on the world. You know, some people just business about, okay, we want a house and we want two, this, and we want that. But I think about partnership in terms of who we're becoming as people and as individuals. Because of course, you know, you're not gonna lose yourself in the other person. You're gonna continue to grow as who you are. So I think there's been this war on love. And I've even been a part of it too, you know, where you feel as though if you date somebody or if you commit to somebody, then you're gonna lose sight of your goals and they're gonna hold you back and all this kind of stuff. But the truth is the right person will always fuel you forward and should always want to see you move forward and should never want to hold you back. As a matter of fact, when you find the right person, you probably want to work twice as hard because they're behind the scenes cheering you on, you know. So I guess um, as much as I'm a reggae artist and a big part of reggae spirituality and consciousness, for me, one of the most spiritual things you can do is actually unconditionally love another person. You know, it's not so much about being um, to me, it's not only about preaching truth and rights, because it is actually quite difficult to choose to love somebody despite your own flaws and then despite their own flaws. And choosing to let somebody love you is a very difficult thing to do because it's so much easier to just be by yourself. You just focus on yourself, you don't have to let somebody into the into the dark corners of who you are, you know. So a big part of spirituality is loving and learning to love yourself while you allow somebody else to love you. I mean, one of my favorite Bible verses is love your neighbor as you love yourself. And we always talk about loving our neighbors, but we always we tend to forget that it says as you love yourself. So if you think about it, I can only love you to the extent I've ever loved myself. But if I focus on loving me, it makes me make it easier for me to love you too. So I think you did pick up on all of the different notes in this project. It is a project of self-love and then me recognizing that I have capacity to love someone else and let somebody else love me because I have to let them in too, you know? And as I said, like being raised um with a girl dad, I would call it. You know, my dad has five daughters. So, you know, type of woman that I am um can be intimidating to many. But at the same time, you know, the right person already knows how to reach me if I let them in, you know. So it's it's a dance, I think, for sure.

Mikelah: 31:03

So beautiful. Love it. Yeah, yeah, you're really uh I bring the love this morning. Yeah, I yeah, I am. I am, I am.

Naomi: 31:12

I I deeply appreciate it. Yeah, I mean, and I see it, I'll be honest, like I see it all the time. Like I feel like men feel terrified, it seems, these days. They seem so scared to mess up with women that they almost like just stick to themselves. You know, I see a lot of conversations online, which is that men really love each other more than they love women. And sometimes it's not that I think it's true, but I think it's just they're they're scared because, you know, they feel as though they're not good enough anymore. And then for women, we have, I think we forget that every man is different. Just like how every woman is different, every person is different, you know, I think we've put this very strange um list of things together that every man needs to be able to do for us versus taking each person as they are and then deciding if you like who they are, you know? Um, so I just think we're at war with each other. So right now, no man said, boy, you know, girls are this, that, that, and the girls are just saying, I came about with all these men. And so right now it's like nobody can get together because we're all just upset. Instead of just taking each person for who they are. If you just take the time to get to know me, see who I am, where my values lie, what's important to me, what's priority to me, see if you're into that, vice versa. I just need to take the time to get to know you. You know, um, your background, your life experiences, you know, your family, all of those things influence every single person. So there's no way that each person is gonna fit into one format. It doesn't work otherwise. You know what I'm saying? You're not gonna wear the same shoe size. So I hope that the album opens everybody back up in that way. You know, cutting also a big part of why we've vexed right now. Everybody just vexes because we're not getting any love. We need body warmth. Yes, we need some love. Yes, we need some cuddles. Enough people right now just need a cuddle. Like, I a lot of people just need one long hole. And they just need one long cuddle.

Mikelah: 33:17

And they don't realize. But I also think that it's important, particularly, you know, in that lover's rock and that lover's reggae pocket. Like, we've always, men have always loved that side of reggae as well. And I think, you know, a lot of times women make a lot of music to empower women, which is great. But I think it's also great that men can enjoy the the listen of this album as well, because they're while it is coming from your perspective, it is definitely universal in that sense. And and there is like this dance hall undertone. It it reminds me so much, and I don't know if you'll love me or hate me for this comparison, around like Nadine Sutherland and how she balanced singing and dance hall as a Jamaican artist. I don't know why, but it was very reminiscent to that era where you heard women singing on rhythms, like hardcore rhythms, and it sounded like it belonged in a dance, but it just has this really nice velvety tone. Like it really does belong in a dance hall setting, like some of the songs, like Up to the Time, or even uh the one with uh Johnny Osborne. We didn't even get to all of that. I can talk to you for a very long time now. No, yeah, no, we could keep yeah, and so like that was what I immediately thought of when I when I finished listening. I'm like, yeah, I haven't heard this in a in a while. And I I know there's phenomenal, you know, reggae singers um that are coming out of this space, and I want to talk about that too, but it just was so reminiscent of that time for me in particular, that I think it was that that was so inspiring. Like, and I I don't even think you intended that.

Naomi: 35:21

No, that's the thing, is like I appreciate that you've identified that. What I will say is that the only thing I was intentional about with this project musically was that I just wanted to be sure that we captured the essence of what Paradise Plum represented in an album. Everything else came naturally, you know. As we went along, we were just guided by our intuition. We just let God into the room. We didn't sit down and say, we need a hype song, we need a this song. You know, sometimes you put together a project and you think, I need a party song, I need a that, I need a this. No, it was just what stories felt like they needed to stay, you know, because there had many more songs too. And these are just the ones that we felt were right for the initial album release. And it's just so wild how it all started to feel cohesive, as you said. But I'll be super honest, it wasn't on purpose because the funny thing is both Toddla and I have ADHD, right? So usually we are personally all over the place as individuals. And so the fact that we were able to stay in this incubator for this project in a natural way without it being forced. We didn't have any, you know, label over our back saying we need something like this or we need XYZ. We just did what felt right. And I really just have to just give God so much thanks for guiding me through this process creatively, because it just felt like a co-creation with with God. You know, um, obviously I was a vessel at the same time, but I really have to say that God is one of my biggest collaborators of all time, for sure.

Mikelah: 37:07

Um, I talked about, you know, some of the other reggae singers that are coming up. You have like this unspoken collective with Sevana, Lila, Jaz Elise. Like, it seems so natural for you guys. Like, what is that unspoken collective that you guys have? Like, there's just an energy between the four of you. And while you have done, you know, a rhythm together, you're often in the same performance spaces and kind of really play off one another really well. Talk to me about that support that you guys lend one another and the energy that shifts between the four of you.

Naomi: 37:46

One of the things I always focus on and try to emphasize in entertainment, not just music, but just in general, is that the more you lean into your own authenticity, the easier it is to collaborate, the easier it is to support another person. Because there's no competition when there's authenticity in the room, you know? So for example, I'll never forget my first time meeting Leela was at um there was a concert slash dubwise event where Chronixx was hosting it. And, you know, they opened up the mic for people to go on the rhythm. And I was there separately, and she jumped on the mic, she was on the stage. You know, I remember us taking a picture briefly, and then from there we just started to run into each other and stuff like that. Had no clue who she really was, who she was associated with, because, you know, I was just doing my own thing. And then as time passed, it was just very easy for us to be friends, to run side by side. You know what I'm saying? But I think it's because real recognize real, if you think about it. Um, she's she works really hard. I work really hard. We love the music, we study the music, we spend time, we we connect on that level of creative um dedication, you know? And so I think what you pick up on is just that, as I said, like, I mean, I I have a background in doing beauty pageants. And one of the things that I found was the best strategy going into a pageant is if you just work on your own stuff, you don't really think about the competition. And so when you walk on a stage and you answer your questions and you do your thing, it don't matter. You don't even, you don't even really think about who is gonna win because you're already a winner because you invested in yourself. That's something I've taken with me from I was in high school doing pageants. And that has made me, I think it's really made me what people might call a girl's girl. But that's just because having done pageants and realizing, like, wow, like the world really tries to tur turn women against each other. So I think I just made a commitment in my career in entertainment to never be part of that idea of women can't get get along and women can't support each other. And I think that's why you pick up on that for sure. At least from me. That's how that's where it comes from with me. And I try to embody that in the space publicly, privately, you know, especially when I say new artists popping up, I always just, you know, just check in with them and just see if they need anything, just so that they know that, hey, we're there's a space for everybody. Because there really is. If you look at it, how many male artists are out there holding their own? It's only the world that makes women think that they're they have to compete with each other. If if women decide that we don't have to compete, it'll be a done deal. I'm telling you that. So, yeah.

Mikelah: 40:32

I really love that. And I think it comes naturally for all of you, and you can kind of feel that energy, you know, when I see you guys together. I think that that is really beautiful. Talk to me about how people have uh been receiving the album. You've been performing it. I know you didn't get to do your New York performance fully, and you're coming back to that. So I'm looking forward to that. Yes, yes. Um in March. So um I'm looking forward to that to seeing you in person. Um, but tell me about the reception that you've gotten so far in performing, where you have been able to perform.

Naomi: 41:11

Yeah, I mean, I think what I will say, first of all, as I've shared, is is the the initial reviews we got from the project prior to the release and then upon the release has been for me just really phenomenal just to read and hear that true reggae lovers have understood and tapped into the meaning of this project. It really means a lot to me. I haven't read every review, but the most of the ones that I've read have just been on the nose. Almost like I'm like, did they read my journal or something? You know? So I'm grateful for that. And then separately, you know, seeing how the songs are received. Because here's the thing. You know, the album came out on 1010, October 10th. And unfortunately, you know, Hurricane Melissa came not even two weeks after. So it kind of changed my capacity and my way. Like, I wasn't really in the mood to promote myself after something like that happens. I just wanted to focus on spreading the message of how people can help and also myself physically getting involved in any relief efforts that were going on. So it kind of, I don't want to say it threw off, but for the sake of this conversation, it changed how I would have been able to promote this album. There is no way I would have felt comfortable. And I still feel a little uncomfortable with promoting and going, you know, because in my brain, I'm thinking in a time like this, I don't even really want to be promoting my music right now. But what I will say is I've done what I could to use my music and use my career as a way to spread the word and raise funds, as you know. And so the feedback, what I love is that because I've been performing it to people that maybe have not even recognized that the project came out, or you know, it's been cool to see the genuine reception, if that makes sense. So, for example, I've performed and then I'm getting messages from people that came out to say, boy, I love woman respect and I love version, and this is my favorite song. And I love that it's like if you want to talk about authenticity, this project, whatever she's gonna do, she's gonna do. Because she is just touching people through the actual music, not because of some viral moment, not because of some fancy music video, not because of any big, you know, marketing spend, but because the music is just that good. And that's a dream come true for me. So I'm just enjoying seeing how when I sing it live in a room, I'm just looking at people's faces, watching how their bodies are responding to the rhythms, how they're responding to the lyrics, especially, you know, like when I sing version, people just like are obsessed with that. And and and so it's been a beautiful creative journey because, you know, in a time where everything is so fast and quick, I'm seeing that this project is is probably going to be like a very timeless piece of art that's growing on its own time, the way that it should.

Mikelah: 44:05

I love that. And you definitely have legs to go right through next year.

Naomi: 44:10

So yeah, girl. Oh yeah, no, yeah, I I I'll be honest, I'm actually quite looking forward to next year because it would just be that year of going hard on this project and and having fun with it too. You know, absolutely.

Mikelah: 44:25

And I'm looking forward to seeing you when you're back in New York.

Naomi: 44:28

And it's it's gonna be a live show. It's gonna be live.

Mikelah: 44:31

It's gonna be yes, I'm so excited.

Naomi: 44:34

Yeah, so excited for you. Yeah, thank you.

Mikelah: 44:36

I'm excited for your journey. I'm loving the music, and you're always welcome back here on the show.

Naomi: 44:42

Yes, so I need to be sure that you're on our special invite list.

Mikelah: 44:45

Absolutely, absolutely. Even if I buy my ticket, you know, I'm in a business.

Naomi: 44:50

Yes, no, but for sure. I I I am so appreciative of your support and and absolutely what you're doing for the industry in general, not just me, but you know, your voice matters because it helps us move forward. So thank you.

Mikelah: 45:04

Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you so much. Thank you guys so much for listening to the latest episode of the Style and Vibes podcast. Uh, thank you, Naomi, for being a guest. And until next time, Lia Tama Peeps.