Like many R&B artists, Ja’Quay’s roots can be traced back to the church where the precocious daughter of a Baptist minister learned that she had a divine gift. While her voice was being molded in the church, her young ears were consuming the sounds of 70’s acts such as The Emotions, Earth Wind and Fire, and Chaka Kahn. Born Yashika Ja’Quay Robinson, the Tulsa Oklahoma native began her career as a member of the gospel group Quintessence, where she honed her performance skills. Through these performances, she became an “in demand” artist, featured on many local artists projects. With this new-found confidence and experience under her belt, Ja’Quay decided to make the transition from singer to solo artist. Teaming up with an up-and-coming label, she began on an R&B project that would enlist some of the regions best and brightest artists and producers. Over two years later, the album was complete, but due to personal and creative differences the album, unfortunately, went unreleased. In 2004, Ja’Quay was featured in an article in Vibe Magazine’s “Free Agent” section, which spotlights up and coming talent. More recently, Ja’Quay was honored with a Spot Award nomination for Best R&B. The annual award show recognizes the best in Oklahoma music. Currently, Ja’Quay has once again enlisted a talented group of artists and producers on her second album. This album promises to be more introspective than the first, revealing an older and wiser singer, writer and producer. With this multi-talented star on the rise, there is no doubt that she will soon influence the voices of generations to come. -Hank Byrd, Cinemental Entertainment