November 2nd, 2024 – (Kingston, Jamaica) – internationally acclaimed Dancehall/ R&B recording artiste duo, Brick & Lace, are set to perform at the most anticipated Reggae show of the season – Marcia Griffiths & Friends, this Sunday on November 3rd, 2024 at Hope Gardens in Kingston. This show has an extraordinary line-up of internationally acclaimed artistes that include the likes of Shaggy, Busy Signal, Tanya Stephens, Nadine Sutherland, Alaine and more. Brick & Lace came onto the scene with their smash hit “Love Is Wicked”, known for its bouncy rhythm and catchy melodies. This show will be Brick & Laces’ first performance in Jamaica this year.
We caught up with Brick & Lace about their journey and what we can expect from them at Marcia Griffiths & Friends this Sunday–
“For the legend herself [Marcia Griffiths] to include us in this celebration is an amazing honor to say the least” Nyanda of Brick & Lace
Q: We heard Marcia Griffiths hand-picked the line-up for the show. How does it feel to be amongst the chosen?
Nyanda: For the legend herself to include us in this celebration is an amazing honor to say the least.
Nailah: It’s definitely an honor to be chosen. Aunty Marcia, we revere her as the Queen of Reggae music, but also she’s a close family friend, and someone we’ve definitely looked up to and [she] helped us out tremendously in the beginning. It’s an honour and a privilege to be a part of this and to really honour her. It’s something she definitely deserves. We’re happy to be a part of it and I’m happy to do it. She definitely deserves her flowers.
Q: You two are great vocalists. Can you recall the moment you KNEW you could sing?
Nyanda: Thank you. We always loved singing, but I guess we knew it was a talent when we would perform at church and at school events and we saw the reaction from the audience. It Made us realize then, like okay! This is something special.
Nailah: I think the first realization would’ve been when we started singing in church. I guess seeing everybody’s reaction made me realize not everybody can do this. I think that was the first time. The second time would probably have been when I was in high school and I would sing, and my friends would always ask me to sing. I realized not everybody has this talent. So for me, that’s when I realized I had a gift and a talent not everybody possesses.
Q: What’s your favorite song to sing together?
Nailah: Our opinions would differ. What Nyanda thinks is her favorite, probably isn’t mine. In terms of when we perform on stage together, I think I enjoy singing “Repent”, it’s on the Church Heathen rhythm. That’s one of my favorites to sing as a group. I would say “Repent” and probably “Buss A Shot For My Lover” and of course “Love is Wicked” as well. “Love is Wicked” definitely gets the crowd going and it has all of the instrumentation in it – definitely a fun one.
Nyanda: That’s a tricky one. I think we used to love singing “Who knows what miracles” by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
Q: What advice can you give young women coming into the music industry?
Nyanda: Knowing yourself as an artist is such an important thing, but it’s a journey. Explore all your creativity, try different things. Give yourself grace to make mistakes and learn from them and remember in a male dominated industry your perspective is not only refreshing but also necessary.
Nailah: My advice would be to be authentic, be who you are. Do worry about what others think of you. Stay true to your craft and don’t let people make you feel you have to be oversexualized to make it. I think the industry and the landscape is changing and I’m glad for that. Stick to the craft and the music. Have belief. Not worry about what others think and how others perceive you.
“People are going to hear the classics. It’s a celebratory moment and we’re going to partake in that celebration. You’re going to see two girls who are grown and hopefully you’ll see that growth. High energy, celebratory mood!” of Brick & Lace
Q: How important is Marcia Griffiths to Jamaica and Jamaican culture? What is her legacy?
Nyanda: Omg! The fact that we’ve made her our queen of reggae, says it all! She is just so loved and cherished. What she has achieved in music is legendary. Her music is stamped in our hearts and will live on for generations to come. Her catalog of hits and achievements is insane. Not to mention how she carries herself as a woman, with such warmth, humility, dignity and grace.
Q: What is something you want people to know about Brick & Lace that they wouldn’t know?
Nyanda: I want them to know that we have solo careers outside of Brick and Lace. We are multidimensional women and also that our real names are Nyanda and Nailah Thorbourne lol
Nailah: A lot of people think we’re twins and we’re not twins. Nyanda is older. A lot of people would be surprised to know that.
Q: What can we expect from Brick & Lace Marcia Griffiths & Friends this Sunday?
Nyanda: Honestly, we just love to have a good time with the audience. Good energy and positive vibes is always what to expect from Brick and Lace, sprinkled with some of that goddess energy
Nailah: People are going to hear the classics. Its a celebratory moment and we’re going to partake in that celebration. You’re going to see two girls who are grown and hopefully you’ll see that growth. High energy, celebratory mood!