Irie Love

Class of 2000; reggae singer.

What is Irie Love known for?

Born on July 7, 1982 in Kailua, Honolulu County, Hawaii, Irie Love Taylor, popularly known as Irie Love, is a renowned American R&B Reggae singer and songwriter of Hawaiian, Jamaican, Dutch, English, and Native American descent. She first rose to prominence as a finalist of the 'Brown Bags to Stardom' competition in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1999. This achievement led to her signing with John Iervolino’s record label, Quiet Storm Records.

Irie Love's likeliness was used to promote their world music compilation, Roots Music Volume 2: Private Beach Party, marking her as the only new artist featured in the album. After her high school graduation in 2000, she relocated to Los Angeles, California, to study Music and Business at Azusa Pacific University.

Her professional career took a significant leap in 2002 when she was selected as a back-up singer for Pink, the acclaimed artist. This diverse experience also included providing backing vocals for other notable artists like Dave Hollister and Chaka Khan. In 2006, Love decided to embark on a solo journey in reggae music and moved to Kingston, Jamaica, where she was one of the twelve finalists in the Irie FM Red Stripe Big Break Competition.

After an introduction to the reggae group, Morgan Heritage, at the East Fest in St. Thomas, Jamaica, they signed Irie Love to their production company, Gedion Music, in 2007. She began her world tour as their opening act, also providing backup vocals. In 2008, Love released her first EP, Ehiku. She dropped her first international album, "The Life of Love," in Japan in January 2009.

Her chart-topping Hawaiian Reggae album for 2012 features singles ‘It Is Wut It Is’ and 'My Love,' charting at No. 1 on the Hawaiian Reggae Charts. 'It Is Wut It Is' was even featured on Hawaiian Airlines inflight entertainment. With such an illustrious career, Irie Love continues to inspire with her music. For more about Irie Love, visit her official website here.