I-Mara - Contributed

Singer/songwriter/ producer I-Mara is creating waves with his latest single Can't Cope.

The song has been receiving countless airplay locally especially on Ron Muschett's early morning programme on Irie FM as well on Best FM, Kool FM and FAME FM.

Born Courtney Stewart in the small community of Roaring River in St Thomas, I-Mara's quest for music all started in the late '80s.

"My desire was to express my journey in life," he said.

I-Mara started out in music as a young DJ voicing with the popular community-based sound system called Studio 4. His first recorded single, Iron Bars, for producer Horace Tapper on his Top Kick label followed as he got his first peek inside the entertainment industry.

take music seriously

I-Mara then began to take the music very seriously and in 1991 teamed up with popular Reggae crooner Luciano and did They Are Dangerous on the Beacon label for producer Neville Reid.

I-Mara then took up a scholar-ship at the Jamaica School of Music where he started putting his many talents together before getting a regular stint with the band U7 at the Franklyn D Resort in Ocho Rios.

On his return to Kingston, I-Mara teamed up with the group Abbasani where they completed the album Let I Go, which did well both locally and overseas.

The following year they went on a tour of Mexico and the experience propelled I-Mara to a solo-career path and he has done several albums, the latest being Don't Take It Personal which was released in New York.

Ten Feet Tall, a track from that album, is still creating waves in Italy where he has a growing following.

I-Mara has so far worked with such big names as Dean Fraser, Ibo Cooper, Barry O'Hare and Mikey Bennett.

I-Mara currently sits on the board of directors of the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers.