Hempress Sativa

Hempress Sativa, born Kerida Shushana Johnson, is a Jamaican roots reggae singer and songwriter raised in Papine, Kingston. Growing up in a Rastafari household, her introduction to reggae came through her father, Albert 'Ilawi Malawi' Johnson, a selector, musician and recording artist associated with the Jah Love Muzik sound system.

Her mother, Doris Ray Ricketts, and father raised their children within the Twelve Tribes of Israel Rastafari tradition. Music, African history and spirituality were part of everyday family life, laying the foundations for her later career.

Growing Up Around Music

Her father kept a collection of records and sound-system equipment in a room at the family home known as the Control Tower. From around four years old, Hempress Sativa and her siblings were encouraged to sing and deejay into the microphone, with their father recording their early performances.

Growing up around the sound system introduced her to reggae artists including Dennis Brown, whom she knew personally through her father. Her musical influences also included Burning Spear, Ijahman Levi, Sizzla and her older sister Ifetayo.

At 13, she made an early stage appearance at a Twelve Tribes of Israel event, performing Erykah Badu's Tyrone, accompanied by her sisters on backing vocals.

Although she was initially interested in dancing and choreography, singing and songwriting gradually became her main focus.

Early Recordings

Her recording career developed through the Jah Ova Evil collective, established following the death of reggae artist Alty 'Lil Joe' Nunes. The movement brought together emerging Jamaican musicians and provided opportunities for young artists to record and develop their music.

By 2013, Hempress Sativa was attracting attention with songs including Jah Have Mi Back, Judgement and Ooh La La La (The Weed Thing). Her recordings combined the foundations of roots reggae with elements of hip hop and R&B.

Her stage name reflected her Rastafari identity and her position on cannabis decriminalisation, a subject she discussed openly in interviews and addressed through her music.

Further releases included Freedom and Still Surviving, the latter appearing on the Junction Riddim and receiving airplay in Pauzeradio's Righteous Reggae 2015 edition of the Unique Reggae Mix Show.

During this period, she also began developing international musical connections, including a collaboration with Italian producer Paolo Baldini DubFiles on Boom (Wah Da Da Deng).

Unconquerebel and Scientist in Dub

In January 2017, she released her debut album, Unconquerebel, through Conquering Lion Records. The 13-track collection included Revolution, Rock It Ina Dance, Fight For Your Rights and No Peace, alongside a collaboration with veteran Jamaican deejay Ranking Joe on Natty Dread.

The album brought together Rastafari teachings, social commentary and the sound-system traditions that had influenced her upbringing.

Her international performances continued to develop, with appearances at European reggae festivals including Reggae Geel in Belgium and Rototom Sunsplash in Spain, alongside shows across North America.

In 2018, she released Scientist Meets Hempress Sativa in Dub, featuring ten dub interpretations of recordings from her debut album. Mixed by Jamaican engineer Hopeton 'Scientist' Brown, the project revisited songs including No Peace and Fight For Your Rights, using the mixing techniques associated with traditional Jamaican dub.

Charka and International Performances

Her second studio album, Charka, arrived in June 2023 through Conquering Lion Records. The 12-track release included Sound The Trumpet, Freedom, Strickly Roots and None But Jah, continuing her combination of roots reggae and spiritual messages.

The album also brought together musicians from different generations. Her father, Ilawi Malawi, featured on Give Me Loving, while Take Me Home included Kelissa and Ganja Hustling featured Keida.

Another collaboration, Top Rank Queens, united Hempress Sativa with Sister Nancy and Sister Carol, connecting three generations of women within Jamaican reggae and dancehall.

Her music continued receiving attention through international radio programming. Pauzeradio's Fight For Your Roots, show #440, featured six consecutive selections from her catalogue, including Sound The Trumpet, Strickly Roots, No Peace Dub, Fight For Your Rights Dub, Fight For Your Rights and Revolution.

Alongside recording and touring, she also developed Hempress Sativa Live, an event in Jamaica providing opportunities for emerging musicians to perform.

Woman and Recent Music

In October 2025, Hempress Sativa released the Jussbuss Acoustic EP, revisiting earlier recordings through acoustic arrangements.

Her third studio album, Woman, followed on 20 March 2026 through La Tempesta Dub. Produced and mixed by Paolo Baldini DubFiles in Italy, the 12-track project renewed a musical connection that began with Boom (Wah Da Da Deng) more than a decade earlier.

The album explored women's experiences, historical contributions and the importance of recognising African women whose achievements have often been overlooked. Its title track referenced figures including Empress Taytu of Ethiopia, Queen Nzinga and Jamaican national heroine Nanny of the Maroons.

Other recordings included Too Much Gunshot, Hotter The Battle and Rastaman A Chant, featuring Ivorian reggae singer Tiken Jah Fakoly. Trinidadian artist Jalifa also contributed to Ganja Spliff.

The album was followed by the European Woman Club Tour, with performances alongside Paolo Baldini DubFiles. During 2026, she also appeared at reggae events across Europe, including Afro C Festival in Belgium.

From her earliest experiences on her father's sound system to her international recordings and performances, Hempress Sativa has maintained a strong connection to Jamaican roots reggae. Her music continues to reflect the Rastafari teachings, African history and sound-system culture that have influenced her since childhood.