Irie Love

Biography

Irie Love Taylor, born on July 7, 1982, in Kailua, Honolulu County, Hawaii, is an American R&B reggae singer and songwriter of Hawaiian, Jamaican, Dutch, English, and Native American descent. Her father was a former NFL linebacker, and she descends from Robert Love, founder of Love's Bakery in Hawaii. Encouraged by her mother to sing solos at her family church, she initially dreamed of a professional basketball career, attending Kalaheo High School, but an injury shifted her focus to music. In 1999, at age 17, she gained early recognition as a finalist in Honolulu's 'Brown Bags to Stardom' competition, leading to a signing with Quiet Storm Records by judge John Iervolino; she was featured as the only new artist on the compilation Roots Music Volume 2: Private Beach Party.[1][7]

In 2000, Love moved to Los Angeles to study Music and Business at Azusa Pacific University, where she began touring as a backup singer for artists like Pink (2002), Dave Hollister, and Chaka Khan through 2005. Relocating to Kingston, Jamaica in 2006, she became a finalist in the Irie FM Red Stripe Big Break Competition and connected with reggae group Morgan Heritage at East Fest in St. Thomas, leading to her signing with their production company, Gedion Music, in 2007. She toured globally as their opening act and backup singer across the US, Caribbean, South America, Africa, Europe, and the UK, alongside their brother Laza. Her debut EP Ehiku launched in Waikiki in October 2008, followed by her first international album The Life of Love in Japan in 2009. She contributed to compilations like The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2008 and released her 2012 Hawaiian reggae album This is Irie Love, with No. 1 charting singles 'It Is Wut It Is' (feat. Fiji) and 'My Love' on Hawaiian Reggae Charts.[1][2]

After a rising career, Love took a five-year hiatus around 2017 due to personal tragedy and reflection, stepping away from the spotlight. She returned in 2022 with the single 'In Another Life,' performing at venues like Blue Note Hawaii. Standing six feet tall, she blends ragga-soul, reggae, and R&B styles, has worked as a model and actress, and continues under labels like Quiet Storm Records and Gedion Music, active since 1999.[1][2][3][5]

Fun Facts

• Stands six feet tall and was originally scouted for professional basketball before an injury led her to music.[3]
• Descendant of Robert Love, founder of Hawaii's iconic Love's Bakery.[1][8]
• Performed on Hawaiian Airlines inflight entertainment with her single 'It Is Wut It Is' featuring Fiji.[1]
• Took a five-year hiatus around 2017 due to personal tragedy before returning with 'In Another Life' in 2022.[2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Morgan Heritage - Signed her to their production company Gedion Music after meeting at East Fest; served as primary mentors in reggae career (Toured as opening act and backup singer; global tours) [2006-2009+]
• George 'Fiji' Veikoso - Mentor and producer for Hawaiian reggae album ('It Is Wut It Is' single (No. 1 on Hawaiian Reggae Charts)) [2012]
• Salaam Remi - Mentor and producer (2012 Hawaiian reggae album) [2012]
• Lee Francis - Mentor and producer (2012 Hawaiian reggae album) [2012]
• John Iervolino - Signed her after judging competition (Roots Music Volume 2: Private Beach Party) [1999]

Key Collaborators

• Morgan Heritage - Backup singer and opening act on world tours with brother Laza (Gedion Music productions; global tours (US, Caribbean, South America, Africa, Europe, UK)) [2007+]
• George 'Fiji' Veikoso - Featured artist and collaborator on singles ('It Is Wut It Is' (No. 1 Hawaiian Reggae Chart; Hawaiian Airlines inflight)) [2012]
• Pink - Backup singer on tour (2002 tour) [2002]
• Dave Hollister - Backup singer (Tours) [2003-2005]
• Chaka Khan - Backup singer (Tours) [2003-2005]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. My Love (This Is Irie Love)
2. It Is Wut It Is (feat. Fiji) (This Is Irie Love)
3. Auright (Born and Raised II (The Rebirth))
4. In Another Life
5. Rooted (To the Sea)
6. Good Love (Remix) (Smart Move Records Presents Irie Love the Singles)
7. Step Up (Smart Move Records Presents Irie Love the Singles)
8. Good Love (Smart Move Records Presents Irie Love the Singles)
9. It Is Wut It Is (Smart Move Records Presents Irie Love the Singles)
10. One On One (Smart Move Records Presents Irie Love the Singles)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia