When it comes to playing reggae, Rayzalution is as good as it gets. This six-piece all-female band from Toronto is at the top of their game and their reputation for positive, energetic, tight and infectious presentation when they hit the stage is growing.
On a seven-states USA tour in 2019 with reggae queen Marcia Griffiths on her ‘Timeless Tour’, Rayzalution were introduced to the audiences as the Motown Ladies of reggae, because of their musicianship, their energy, professionalism and how dapper they looked on stage.
“The band works very hard to reach the level where they are today”, said Manager Penny Providence. “The members are not afraid of long practice hours; they are very meticulous when creating music or working on covers”, she continues. “The quality of music they deliver to the audience is always positive and uplifting with a message”.
Rayzalution Band is an ensemble that hails from the Greater Toronto Area and has been ascending the reggae scene since 2018. The band consists of Chantel “Cee Cee” McKnight (Creator, Band Leader Vocalist & Bassist), Tanziana “Gem” Stephenson (Vocalist & Lead Keys), Leah “Likklebit” Stewart (Drummer & DJ), Meagan “Indiyah” Dwarika (Guitarist), Rael Felix (Guitarist), Aria Zenua (Lead Vocals) and Meagan “Mama Dubz” Worthy (Organist/Second Keys).
The Band has a unique sound, blending reggae with the other Caribbean and Western flavours of music, generating something diverse for the Canadian Reggae Music Industry. Their music repertoire consists of original songs, covers of classics as well as present-day reggae hits to keep a wide variety of music lovers on the dance floor nonstop.
They have travelled and shared the stage with numerous artists such as Maxi Priest, Freddie McGregor, Baby Cham, Sanchez, Romain Virgo, Dexta Daps, Mikey Spice, Beenie-Man, I-Wayne, Razor B, Marcia Griffiths, Lady G and the Mighty Diamonds to name a few. Rayzalution also shared the stage with R&B greats such as Ruben Studdard, Freddie Jackson, Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Joe, Fantasia, and Jeffrey Osbourne.
Rayzalution is ready for the big times and has been working hard to stay relevant and propel its status worldwide. “A band that prays together stays together. These women see themselves as a sister-hood collective, and they help and support each other on or off stage”, Penny Providence said. “They are very professional and believes in themselves knowing that the sky is the limit for them”. “They are hungry and determined to succeed”.
The group released their debut single ‘Hold Ah Vibe’ on all music streaming platforms on November 18, 2021. They have completed a seven songs EP that will be released sometime in 2022. Fans can also look out for a full-length album coming soon.
Rayzalution knows that being an all-female reggae band in a male-dominated genre, and they will have to work hard perfecting their craft and the music business as well. “We have to convince the audiences when we travel that we are proud Canadian”, Penny Providence said. “They are usually shocked, hence the reason we will continue to release good reggae music, tour, tour and then tour again, keep an up-to-date website, get our music on as many platforms as possible, good PR and utilise all avenues available to get our music in the ears of the world”.
The Band’s next performance will be on March 5th in Toronto and March 11th in Niagara Falls on the international women’s day SistahFest 2022 celebration. Fans can also look out for Razalution in a Canadian city near you as they will be taking their music through eight Provinces in the summer of 2022. “Planning is currently in progress for a visit to Jamaica in May of this year and many more events or on the table, but due to the global uncertainty we all know things can change within a day’s notice”, said Penny Providence.