Biography
Dana Bernard, known as Aza Lineage, is a self-taught lyricist born in 1989 in Kingston 7, Jamaica, to teenage parents. Raised in the challenging inner-city communities of Hermitage and August Town amid her extended family, including her grandmother, she was deeply influenced by reggae and dancehall music from an early age. Her passion for the genre led her to develop her skills as a singer, singjay, and writer, drawing from the rich history of Jamaican music culture, including singers, producers, soundsystem operators, and promoters.[1][3][6][7]
Aza Lineage's career gained momentum through grassroots performances on small soundsystems in Kingston, where she showcased original songs like 'Soundsystem,' written in 2016. A pivotal connection formed when her associate Smiles introduced her to legendary producer King Jammy, resulting in a rapid studio session and her feature on the album 'Tracks Of Life' alongside Dennis Brown. This mentorship has shaped her vocal and writing abilities, positioning her as a rising voice in roots reggae and the roots side of dancehall. She continues working with King Jammy on new projects, contributing fresh energy to the reggae landscape with tracks like 'Melody' and 'Sound System.'[2][4]
Her musical style blends reggae, dub, roots reggae, and ragga, rooted in Jamaica's foundational sounds while addressing shared experiences and emotions. As a female artist in a male-dominated field, Aza Lineage draws inspiration from trailblazers like the I-Threes, Marcia Griffiths, and modern figures such as Lila Ike and Koffee, advocating for greater confidence and visibility for women in the genre.[4]
Fun Facts
- Recorded her breakthrough single 'Soundsystem' with King Jammy in just 30 minutes after impressing him by singing under a mango tree outside his studio.[4]
- Grew up in Kingston's Hermitage and August Town communities, soaking up reggae culture from family and local soundsystems.[7]
- Looks up to female reggae pioneers like Sonia Pottinger and Lady Saw, as well as contemporaries like Jah9 and Koffee, for breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.[4]
- Her associate Smiles convinced King Jammy to meet her despite his initial reluctance to work with new artists.[4]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- King Jammy - Seasoned producer and mentor who improved her vocals and writing through studio collaboration ('Soundsystem' single, 'Tracks Of Life' album) [2016-present]
- Kevin 'Lineage' - Early guidance figure in her development (Not specified) [Early career]
Key Collaborators
- King Jammy - Producer for recordings and album features ('Soundsystem', 'Tracks Of Life') [2016-present]
- Dennis Brown - Featured on shared album project ('Tracks Of Life') [Recent]
- Culture Horn - Collaborative release ('I Give Thanks') [2020]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Aza Lineage has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 28, 2025 | 20:53 | Chikiwawawoifrom Chikiwawawoi | Spirits of Congo Squarew/ Baba Geno |