Ahbi Kufa ‘wakes up’ wanting solo career
Published:Thursday | April 27, 2023 | 12:05 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
Performing with Etana in her ‘Gemini’-era, Ahbi Kufa learned some valuable lessons to make her presence known, all while standing in the shadows behind a microphone. Within a year of supplying the melodious hooks and ad libs for the reggae queen, the up-and-coming crooner realised she was missing something, “being at the front, centre stage”.
Ahbi Kufa, whose real name is Abigail McLawrence, also shares in common with Etana the community she calls home, August Town, and had a taste of the spotlight when she made it into the top 10 of Season 15 of the Digicel Rising Stars.
“I’ve been a part of some very eye-opening events throughout my professional career as a singer. From following in the footsteps of my father Byron McLawrence, and entering Digicel Rising Stars (he was on it in 2009 with a group called R3) to seeing myself on television, singing with the late Feluke and then stepping foot on the big Reggae Sumfest stage with Etana, I have been blessed,” Ahbi Kufa shared.
Though most of her work with the I’m Not Afraid singer was live on stage, she also recorded studio background vocals for her Love song on her Gemini album. It was unfortunate that the pandemic came when it did. It was also the reason the singer stopped attending the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
Ahbi Kufa shared, “I just called it that, those things, along with singing in the church choir and in JCDC, they were my introductory lessons. It all showed me that I really wanted to be my own artiste and have my own band. I saw myself being front, stage and centre still singing with others but being able to engage the audience more.”
“The night I performed Beres Hammond’s Step Aside for Rising Stars, Anthony [Miller] commented, ‘You’re pretty, but that’s about the only thing’’ That has situated itself in my mind. I know it wasn’t the best and I never took the criticism in any negative way. I accepted it as well-needed motivation,” she added.
But before Ahbi Kufa gets back into the spotlight, she is dedicating more time to refining her emotionally rich vocals and honing a signature performance style. She has recently been compared to the likes of her previous leader and mentor, Etana, as well as Jaz Elise. Her official debut single, Wake up in The Morning, has been steadily garnering views on YouTube and as she prepares for the release of her newest recording, Atmosphere, Ahbi Kufa is imagining herself “becoming an internationally acclaimed singer with a diverse catalogue of music fusing the global genres”.
“I’m grateful for the comparisons ... people are seeing the vision, but I don’t want to be put inside a box or expected to do what those singers did. Of course, everybody wants to be different, but I’m serious when I say this because I listen to all genres from all countries. My name alone speaks difference. Kumar Fyah was the one who told me to go with the spelling for my name, Ahbi, but when I was given the idea to add Kufa by my producer and manager [Caspa Productions], I wondered what meaning I would give to it. Eventually I accepted it, because the Jamaican slang ‘kuff’ means to strike or slap; right now I’m an underdog, and I want when it’s my time for me to strike, I strike hard. I want people to feel my lightning, feel-good energy,” Ahbi Kufa asserted.