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New York — The moment Royal Deb walks into a room, everything changes. It's as if someone turned the lights on and turned the volume up. The air shifts. Smiles spread. Music practically starts playing on its own. That’s the kind of presence Debbian Henriques-Barr—known to the world as Royal Deb—carries with her. She’s not just the life of the party; she is the party. And her latest single, "Boss Lady," is the musical embodiment of that energy.

Born in St. Ann, Jamaica, Royal Deb grew up steeped in the pulse of reggae. From the streets echoing Bob Marley to impromptu dance parties that lasted until dawn, music was more than just sound—it was life. Now based in the U.S., she’s channeling that rich heritage into a bold and spicy style all her own, bringing a fiery diva touch to reggae that's impossible to ignore.

Notably, Royal Deb is the cousin of Grammy-winning reggae and dancehall superstar Sean Paul Henriques, with whom she can’t wait to work and meet. Her confidence radiates not just in conversation but in every beat of “Boss Lady.” People don’t just hear her music, they feel it. The track is an anthem—a call for women to own their power. “I am a boss of many things,” she says. “Everybody is a boss of themselves, boss of their own. You're in charge of your own destiny. You're in charge of your life. You're in charge of making things for yourself.” It’s a message Royal Deb lives by.

"Boss Lady" isn't just another song. It's upbeat, full of flavor, and makes you want to move—not just on the dance floor, but in your life. “Any lady can be a boss lady if you put your mind away,” she says.

Her music carries the energy of someone who refuses to let life dim her light. “I can walk into a room… the place would be dead. And the minute I walk in, they were like, oh, she’s here. Let’s go. And all of a sudden, we have a party that cannot stop.” That electricity is what she pours into her performances. Whether it's a rooftop in New York, a backyard party of 100 people, or a packed tavern where the crowd literally puts their forks down to pay attention, Royal Deb knows how to ignite a space.

Listeners don’t just hear her songs—they feel them. “They said, Debbie, you have to realize, you’re a performer. You go to places… and the minute I get up on the stage, they have encouragement in the air. I’m jumping. Jump. Jump. Come on. Let’s go!”

"Boss Lady" also reflects a deeper evolution in her artistry. “I live much higher,” she says. “It’s more natural, more beat. That’s the route I’m going.” The song’s rhythmic flow, mixed with her reggae roots and a hint of rapping energy, shows she’s not confined by tradition—she’s expanding it.

Beyond her music, Royal Deb’s spirit is contagious. “I like to just do what I feel like I wanna do. I do what I wanna do when I want.” She’s driven by authenticity and self-love, never phased by negativity. “I don’t listen to all the negativity… Never reply. You don’t respond. Let them put the negative. Let them put the positive. I don’t care. I’m doing me.”

That unshakable confidence pours out in everything she does. She's not trying to be anyone else—and that's exactly what makes her magnetic. From performing reggae classics to collaborating with top-tier producer, Andre Betts, who has produced for icons like popstar Madonna, Jamaican artist Barrington Levy, vocal powerhouse Chaka Khan, and legend Lionel Richie, she's both rooted and rising.

Royal Deb is more than an artist—she’s a force. And with “Boss Lady,” she’s inviting every woman to step into her power, turn up the volume, and own the room. As she puts it best: “Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.”

And that’s the Royal Deb way.

Check out “Boss Lady” and follow Royal Deb on her socials!

Instagram
Official Website
“Boss Lady” music video
YouTube
TikTok
Spotify

Marla Lewis might not be a name that everyone immediately recognizes, but she has spent years building a remarkable career that has earned her a loyal global fan base, countless streams, and even a Grammy Award for Best Children’s CD. Today, Music-News had the chance to talk with Marla about her new single “Kill The Lights,” a smooth, feel-good jazz track that captures the magic of walking through New York City in winter with a warm smile on your face.




Tell us about Marla Lewis?
Born in New Jersey, wrote my first song at the tender age of 12 called “Hopeless Love” (LOL). From the time I could talk, music has always been my closest friend. I sang and played guitar in clubs, got disenchanted, went back to school for my Masters, and became an English as a Second Language teacher in a Harlem elementary school for 23 years. That’s when I started writing songs for kids, to help them learn English. I released two children’s albums, WE ALL LAUGH IN THE SAME LANGUAGE and I LOVE TO TALK TO PLANTS. One tune from PLANTS, called “Leap of Faith,” appears on a Grammy-winning Children’s CD called ALL ABOUT BULLIES... BIG AND SMALL, with my incredible friend and producer, Bob Stander.

Who are some of your musical influences? What else inspires you?
Ella Fitzgerald, the Beatles, Michael Franks, Phoebe Snow, Carole King, to name a few. My mom aspired to be a jazz singer, so we had lots of Big Band music playing in the house. Besides music, the rhythm of conversation inspires me.

Congrats on the release of “Kill the Lights”! We love it. What’s the story behind the song?
Thanks so much! Bob (my producer) said to me, “We need another R&B flavored song with a catchy chorus.” So, I played around with a new idea about love on the rebound. I wrote the lyrics first, a very rough draft, and put music to it - that’s how songs usually evolve for me. I was really “in the zone” when I was working on this one, fiddling around with it until it felt complete. The song went through many incarnations before I got the “actors in a play” metaphor right. I don’t think it’s autobiographical – unless it’s about an affair that I’ve totally forgotten about!

Who is one artist you’d love to tour with?
Nora Jones! Oh, yes!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not doing music?
Walking the dogs, hanging out with friends, watching a great TV series.

What's the 2022 plans for your musical journey?
I want to continue live streaming - it’s fun! My show is called “Marla in La La Land.” You can tune in every Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM Eastern. I already have enough songs for my next smooth jazz album, and I’m calling it, “Livin’ the Dream.” The songs are very socially conscious – I can’t write in a bubble any longer, with what’s going on in the world. I hope to record and release that album in 2022. And perhaps, I’ll muster the courage to do live shows!

How can our readers find you online?
Lots of places! First, my website: www.marlalewis.com
My Facebook group: MarlaTheMuse
My YouTube channels: Smooth Jazz I Children’s

Twitch I LinkedIn I Twitter I Instagram I Spotify I Apple Music
 
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