Bubbly Empresz J steals the spotlight at Angola Festival

STAR Writer

A 61-year-old 'nature-booster' herbalist and up-and-coming artiste's clean, classy moves and spirited aura took the spotlight among the vibrant partygoers at the Angola Festival in St Thomas, which was held on New Year's Eve.

When approached by THE STAR, the bouncing Empresz J could not hold back on her warmth, laughter, and embraces.

"I was brought here by the spirit and myself after winning my two tickets. I am 61 years old, and I shall live as long as I dance, and as long as I dance, I shall live. Music is my fellowship, and without music, I would not be living right now," she said. She applauded event organiser Jah Bouks for hosting the culturally blended event in order to "keep the reggae music alive".

"So I have to be here," she said. "I'm a mother [of seven] and a grandmother [of 23], but I just feel like I'm 16 though I'm 61," she said as she caressed her face with her palms. "Age is just a number, patience is virtue, and experience teaches wisdom. So I'm enjoying myself. Music is my therapy. Water is life, and music is the spice. Anywhere the clean fun is, I'll go there. I give thanks that I live to see the first day in 2026. It is a new beginning."

She said it is her time to be "outside" as she had given most of her youthful years to raising her family.

"So I'm just living my life and giving thanks, and wi have to live each day like it's the last day. Tomorrow is not promised to us, so we must enjoy the present. The past is already gone, and the future is not a must. Life is a gift and we have to 'fulljoy' it and don't mek nobody put no limits pon yuh life," Empresz J opined, as she segued into one of her songs titled No Limits Pon Mi Life.

Since 2020, during the heights of the pandemic, the creative entrepreneur said she bought a piano and keyboard and set out on a mission to invest more in her musical dreams. She started attending music classes but had to pause and is now engaging in self-taught lessons. She has composed several tracks, including Born as a Star and Rolling in Jamaica with my Grandmother.

Empresz J described her sound as a reggae-infused blend and expressed hopes of creating more songs and poems from her love for the arts.

"I'm also a herbalist who sells the turmeric, garlic, and ginger with the natural bud (bird) pepper to boost people immune system and mek di man dem 'get a lift,'" she said. "Yes, man! It boost di system and mek di blood flow suh di penis get erect. Suh all who is suffering from erectile dysfunction, dat will help dem."

"If yuh have poor circulation issues, high blood pressure, or blood sugar, it also helps to alleviate it. And it good for sinus problems, pains, and many more stuff. I also do the noni blend - the noni with the aloe vera and tuna - that's the tan power juice. That's very good for the prostate problem. It's also anti-cancer and anti-aging. Yuh see how mi look young at 61."

The Port Morant, St Thomas, native said she is also widely known for the "bestselling" roots, strong-back, and tonic juice mix in the area. She is hoping to expand her business, Empresz J Naturals, but her ultimate goal is to maintain good health and strength.