Love Empire
Reggae Band
Empowered Sound
Love Empire is a vibrant, female-fronted reggae band bringing together diverse musical backgrounds, including JUNO-nominated artists. Their mission is to create meaningful connections through our music. They embrace unity and creativity, offering a memorable experience for all fans. With their youngest member only 14, they are excited about the future of reggae!
BIO/LINE UP
Established in 2024 by original members of JUNO nominated Souljah Fyah and Isokan Africa, the mission is to chant light into the shadows, lifting up sounds of compassion and peace toward all people. Members draw on eclectic influences to wake up your soul, connecting us once again on the reggae dance floor.
While Love Empire is a young band, it comprises seasoned members, and marks a long-awaited comeback for SJF frontwoman Waymatea 'Sista J' Ellis. Their anticipated debut show in February 2025 at Edmonton's legendary Yardbird Suite, was a SOLD OUT performance. This group is just getting started, and they're ready to spread the reggae message of love and kindness in a time when the world seems to be needing it the most.
BAND MEMBERS:
Nya Ellis-Ricketts - Keys, Bass, Vocals
Mike Snoek - Guitar, Vocals
Kevin Prebushewski - Drums
Waymatea 'Sista J' Ellis - Lead Vocals, Bass
INFLUENCES:
Their sound is inspired by reggae legends such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Steel Pulse, blended with contemprary elements to create a unique, modern twist on classic reggae rhythms.
PRESS
EARSHOT-ONLINE
"On and off stage...[lead singer] (Waymatea) 'Sista J' Ellis, exudes a high voltage, positive energy. Unfettered without setting limitations is precisely the attitude and energy that has propelled Edmonton's Souljah Fyah to become Canada’s top Reggae band."Shelly Gummeson from Earshot-Online
SEE MAGAZINE, DECEMBER:
"If anyone can attest to the primacy of the live gig over the recording, its the band that's packed more regular Sunday night gigs (yes Sundays. In minus-40-degree winters. When busses don't run on regular schedules) than anyone else in Edmonton for years."
ACCOMPLISHMENTS of FOUNDING MEMBERS:
2011 and 2008 WCMA Winners, 2009 JUNO nominees, and twice-declared the best Reggae band in Canada by the Canadian Reggae Music Awards and the Reggae Music Achievement Awards. They have played with Lilith Fair, the Edmonton Folk Fest, the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, and at the Grey Cup Festivals in Montreal and Calgary, but Edmonton is home, and from 2002-2017, they were Reggae's best evangelists in Western Canada. --2011 winner, "Urban Recording of the Year - Western Canadian Music Awards --2010 winner "Best Reggae Band" - Reggae Music Achievement Awards --Souljah Fyah's 2009 Single "Tears of a Fool" reached #3 Canada-Wide on CBC's Galaxie Jammin' Charts (January 2009) --2009 JUNO Nominees "Reggae Recording of the Year" (First Alberta Band to achieve this) --2009 winner "Top Reggae Band" - Canadian Reggae Music Awards (four-time nominees in 2009, and first Alberta Band to win in this category) --2008 winner "Best Reggae Album" - Reggae Music Achievement Awards (three-time nominees in 2008, and first Alberta Band to win in this category) --2008 winner "Outstanding Urban Recording" - Western Canadian Music Awards (First Alberta Band in history to win in this category) --Single "Sweet Love" reached #1 on CBC Galaxie Radio in 2008 (Canadian Reggae) and is listed in the top 3 international reggae releases in 2008 by Stephen Neale. --Sophomore album, "Truth Will Reveal" climbed to #1 across Canada (Earshot-Online.com) charting nationally in the top ten for 7 weeks (International Chart). --Single "Rwanda" was featured on Ziggy Marley's "Ziggy Radio" in 2008. --Single "Abundance of Good" charted at #1 Canada-wide for 12 weeks (CBC Galaxie Radio, 2007)\ In November 2009, Waymatea was awarded AVENUE magazine's Top 40 under 40 Edmontonians “for bringing the world of Reggae to our city, and exporting it around the world”. She also received Global TV's Woman of Vision award in March 2007 as well as the Big Miller Award for music achievement for her work in building Edmonton's music scene. Souljah Fyah's 2009 Single "Tears of a Fool" charted at #5 on CBC's Galaxie Jammin' Charts. Released July 25th, it is both a lamentation and a rally of strength for a mother who is a victim of domestic violence. It has been generously received by campus and community radio across Canada, and was featured on Earshot-Online.com. The "B-Side" is a dancehall celebration of our short Canadian summers titled "Eight Days of Summer" (Recorded at Sound Extractor Studios, Edmonton, Alberta). Souljah Fyah's sophomore CD (produced by IBO at Smokey Room Productions) "Truth Will Reveal" dropped on February 9th, 2008. From that album, the first single "Sweet Love" reached #1 on CBC Galaxie Radio in 2008 (Canadian Reggae) and is listed in the top 3 international reggae releases in '08 by Stephen Neale. In addition, "Truth Will Reveal" climbed to #1 across Canada (Earshot-Online.com) charting nationally in the top ten for 7 weeks (International Chart). With the passionate single "Rwanda" featured on Ziggy Marley's "Ziggy Radio" in 2008, and the single "Abundance of Good" charting #1 Canada-wide for 12 weeks (CBC Galaxie Radio, 2007), people are starting to talk about Souljah Fyah.
