Jalena

Tortolian born, Jessica “Jalena” Mikoleiczik is making Slaughter Arts History with her expected video release of her hit single “Roll”which was shot in St.Vincent in January last year is expected to have the entire region rolling to its beat.

Born and raised in the British Virgin Islands to German parents, Jalena was exposed to the different Caribbean music genres from Reggae to that of Soca Music. Her passion for Soca music stems from the pulsating beat, which makes you want to move and testifies there is nothing that can come close to Soca, zouk or kompa!

In 2004, she conquered her fear and decided to take music head on. She joined the band 3rd Dimension and as expected for her first performance, her nerves got the best of her. As her journey continues she understands how much that moment matured her as an artist. She teamed up with many bands after like Quito, The Edge and going as far as Antigua teaming up with Da Bhann. “Text Me” was one of the singles which had Tortolians paying attention to this band and especially their female vocalist Jalena! Unfounately, Jalena left Da Bhann after a few months to purse her solo career back home, in Tortola.

In 2005, she recorded “Roll” which was her first solo single and was well received from Tortolians as many caught the contagious Jalena fever .The following year she was able to maintain the momentum with “Wutless” , fans could not deny this feisty vocalist.

Jalena joined the Slaughter Arts label in April of 2007 and was eager to be working with the talented men under this label from Nigel Nicholas to Patrice Regis, and Gilbert Cooke. They did not waste time, she immediately got on the Soca Bluetooth Riddim, recording tracks like “Carnival ah Come “featuring Nigel Nicholas and “Do Wah you want”.

Recently she teamed up with “Party Animal”, Problem Child to release “Mr. Boring Flex”; with its endless humor who knows which island this track will be sending shockwaves through. Jalena still performs with two of her former band members as lead singer at hotels and restaurants in Tortola, which she can admit is continuing to shape her vocals and performance more and more.
She has undoubtedly faced many challenges and one she makes mention of is the stereotype of female soca artist as being of a darker complexion. She goes on to say that “automatically people write me off as a gimmick and don’t believe that my music is authentic,” and often she was not well received. However she has learned to break down this stereotype in her home isle and hopes she can continue to do so as she continues to get exposure globally

Jalena talent does not only span to her vocals but her writing skills. She writes most of her songs including the single “Roll” which was her first solo track. She hopes in time that she will be respected not only for her music but her writing as her passion is ever present in her lyrics.

She is currently in the studio gearing up for the intense 2008 British Virgin Islands Carnival Season (scheduled for July/ August) as lyrics to “Watch me Wuk “and “Aye Yai Ya” are well in their production stage. She is expected to be featured on many riddims in the works by Slaughter Arts/Lynx Studios set to release May/June.

Jalena is one of the few artists who is willing to come out of her comfort zone and hopes to make collaborations with artists such as Jah Cure, Claudette Peters, Onyan and bands such as Kes. Jalena makes mention that she does not want to be known as an artist that was “MADE”, she wants to be known as an artist that is “SELF MADE”! This video launch will undeniably gain Jalena a strong spot in the competitive soca arena as she sees it opening many doors and giving her many more opportunities to do what she loves: MUSIC!


Updates on Jalena music can be accessed via the World Wide Web at www.myspace.com/jalenamusic.

Written by Rochelle K Noel
Published : www.yomagazine.net