Bull Bay’s own Yeza has stepped forward with her debut album Star of the East, a project that feels as personal as it is powerful. Produced by the legendary Rory Gilligan, better known as Rory Stonelove of Black Dub Music, the album captures the grit, pride, and spiritual energy of the place that shaped her.
The title comes straight from the street she grew up on, Star of the East Lane, a small stretch in Bull Bay, just 5 mins off Wickie Wackie Beach, that carries big history in Yeza’s life. “That road, that environment, that energy… it is the root of the album,” she says. “The life I lived there, and the perspective I’ve gained from it, shape everything in this project.”
Across the record, Yeza moves between unapologetic statements, the warmth of natural confidence, and moments of spiritual uplift. Tracks like Bullseye and Organic show her lyrical sharpness, while Road Runner and the title track reflect the street wisdom and cultural grounding she’s built her name on. All of it sits over Rory Stonelove’s signature dub-infused production, rich, rootsy, and layered with the kind of sonic weight that stays with you.
For Rory, this collaboration adds to a legacy that already includes classics like Jah9’s New Name, Samory I’s Black Gold, and Kristine Alicia’s Songs from Zion. Here, his Black Dub touch amplifies Yeza’s voice without losing the rawness of her message.
Already praised by various media outlets, and following standout performances at Rebel Salute and the Dennis Brown Tribute Concert, Star of the East seems to position Yeza as one of reggae’s new voices. According to Yeza is a statement of identity and a celebration of where she is from, balancing the righteous bad gyal energy with deep roots consciousness.