Marshell Hylton - contributed

Up-AND-coming Manchester-based artiste, Marshell Hylton, wants to intoxicate the music industry with her original style of roots reggae.

"I love to do roots reggae 'cause that's where my heart is," she told The STAR. "I also do R&B and a little dancehall. I am versatile. I can do any music I put my mind to, without sounding monotonous. I can even sing a song and you don't even know it's me."

Since being in the music industry, Marshell has done backing vocals for several artistes, including Lutan Fyah, I-Octane, Stevie Face, Maxi Priest, Natural Black and Vybz Kartel.

However, she has always had a drive to pursue a solo career.

"It (a solo career) has always been a passion. My friends and family always tell me how good I sound so I decided to do it," said Marshell.

She has released singles like They Don't Know, Done Lose and Only You.

"They (singles) have been doing good in the streets. They have not gotten much airplay but I get good reviews from the sound systems and at dances where I distribute my CD," Marshell told The STAR.

In making her musical dream a reality, Marshell says she encountered a number of obstacles in getting her music played.

"Sometimes, it's hard to get your thing out there and you have to pay a lot of money", she said. Marshell is working with producers Rorey Baker, Shawn Webber and Courtney Johnson.

Luckily, she has no problems getting local shows, even though they are mainly in her home parish of Manchester.

For the future, Marshell simply wants to become an international star and reap all the possible awards.