Entertainment

The Baileys spreading the gospel 'Juice'

Robert & Jenieve Bailey - Contributed

Stage Names:

Robert & Jenieve Bailey

How did you get started in the business?

Jenieve: "I got started through my dad (Toots Hibbert)."

Robert: "Through Youth for Christ."

What has been your greatest challenge in the business yet?

Jenieve: "To produce both our albums and concerts as there are just a few companies willing to support the local gospel music. However, our struggles have been made easier through Wayne Chen of Super Plus and Noel Greenland from Western Union, Dave Ranglin from Nipo Line and Vermont Murray from United Plastic who are consistently there as our sponsors. We hope that others will come onboard that we can impact Jamaica and the world in a positive way."

What have you been up to lately?

Jenieve: "We just finished our first Reggae album called Juice and it will be released in November. The official launch will be on Thursday, October 28 at the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy."

How did you come up with that album name?

Jenieve: "A good friend of ours, Ms. Tricia Cameron, came up with the name and we loved it. It's an acronym that means Joyful Upliftment in Christian Expression."

What made you decide to do a reggae album now?

Robert: "Jenieve and myself have done a lot of tours and it has always been requested by our different audiences overseas to give them something Jamaican."

What about your local fans who are not accustomed to you doing reggae. How do you think they will react to this album?

Robert: "We think that a lot of people are going to be surprised, some might even feel disappointed, but one of the things that we have done in all our projects is to always seek the Lord in every move we make and direction we take and once we get a green light on it, we will move forward in faith."

Do you look up to any specific artiste?

Jenieve: "Oh yes. My daddy is a great man in the business. Also, persons like the former Grace Thrillers, Love Singers, Birthrite, Gifton Smith, John Williams, George Banton, Otis Wright, Kevin and Robin and Adrian Smith, and many others who have helped to pave the way before us."

Are you happy with the way things are going for your musical career right now?

Jenieve: "Yes, because I think something is wrong with just being Jamaican, and having done 16 years of ministry and not done anything Jamaican that represents who we are and where we are from. It's like living in Jamaica and never talk patois."

What are your future plans?

Robert: "To continue to impact lives, win souls through gospel music wherever we go."

Any advice to young artistes coming up?

Robert: "Humble yourself and take it one day at a time. Listen to people who have walked the road before you, believe in what you do and most of all, put God first and the sky is the limit."

Where do you see your career in 10 years?

Jenieve: "We see ourselves working with young people in a more intimate way, giving them a start in their musical career and we'd still continue to do what we are doing right now, God's willing."