By VP Records
Photos: VP Records
Reggae artist Jah9 is set to release her highly anticipated single, “Match,” on November 22 via VP Records. Building on her previous release, “Open Heart,” this new song continues her playful, feminine, and mature re-entry into the music scene, delving into themes of submission, attraction, respect, love, and fantasy. Produced by J.L.L. (known for his work with Drake, Smino, and Masego), “Match” seamlessly blends reggae undertones with rich harmonic layers – with lyrics that reveal a more risqué and open side of Jah9.
Pre-save Here: Jah9.lnk.to/MatchSingle
“Match” serves as the second release in Jah9’s Open Heart Project, a four-part series that explores the stages of relationships—from inception to growth, disillusionment, and reconciliation. As the song “Open Heart” served as a prelude, chronicling her years-long journey of self-discovery in Tanzania, “Match” adds another layer, offering a more nuanced perspective on love.
“‘Match’ is a song about courtship, new love, and the standards by which we make these choices,” Jah9 explains. “It’s an ode to the freedom a woman feels to fully express herself in the presence of the right kind of man.”
With its neo-reggae soul sound, “Match” creates an atmosphere that is both moody and sultry. The music video, intentionally conceptualized and scripted by Jah9 as the first in a series of storytelling visuals, invites viewers into her world through scenes marked by sensuality, vulnerability, and deep human connection.
Building on the success of her albums New Name (2013), 9 (2016), and Note to Self (2020), Jah9’s influence in reggae continues to grow, highlighted by her songwriting and co-production contributions to Kabaka Pyramid’s The Kalling, which won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2023.
“Match” follows her recent “Jah9 in Japan” tour, where she introduced her distinctive live performances to nearly a dozen cities—including Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima—for the first time this October and November.
The single will be available on all digital platforms on November 22.
“Jah9… in the past few years has established herself at the pinnacle of the Jamaican Reggae music scene.” — Natalie Meade, THE NEW YORKER
“Possessing an alluring voice steeped in roots Reggae’s mysticism and wreathed in a smoky jazz vibrato, Jah9 is blazing a singular trail across the international music landscape.” — Patricia Meschino, BILLBOARD
“Jah9’s lyrics put forth messages of mindfulness, perseverance, and self-love… [and she] blends sounds from Reggae to soul to Afrobeat.” — Reed Dunlea, ROLLING STONE
ABOUT JAH9
Jah9’s journey embodies balance, seamlessly blending the spiritual with the physical through her artistry that fuses roots Reggae, dub, jazz, and soul. Born Janine Cunningham in Falmouth, Jamaica, she honed her voice amid the vibrant energy of Kingston, drawing inspiration from her social worker mother and preacher father. Embracing the teachings of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I during her university years, she adopted the name Jah9 and emerged as a key figure in the “Roots Revival” movement. Her debut album, New Name, released in 2013, solidified her place as a powerful force for change in Reggae.
After releasing two successful albums with VP Records—9 (2016) and Note to Self (2020)—Jah9 embarked on a transformative journey to Tanzania during the pandemic, deepening her spiritual practice. She returned with the lead single “Open Heart” from her upcoming project and, in October 2024, embarked on her first tour of Japan. This tour blended her Yoga on Dub sessions with live performances across cities like Tokyo, Kobe, and Osaka, culminating in a finale celebration on November 11. Featured in The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, The FADER, Billboard, and more, Jah9 uplifts audiences worldwide by intertwining music with wellness and spirituality, creating a holistic experience that transcends traditional concerts.
