Roxroy McLean, Star Intern

Yanique Barrett - Contributed

For Yanique Barrett, music is life. One recent, chilly Saturday afternoon, The STAR sat down with the artiste, and she revealed her love for music.

With her legs crossed and her hands gently clasped in her lap, she looked directly at the writer seated a mere two feet away from her and said:

"I don't think anybody would understand what music really means to me. There is absolutely nothing in this world that I would do other than music."

Barrett, who goes by the stage name Ravish, and who entered the music industry five years ago, is a young, talented and free-flowing songstress/deejay.

She is full of confidence and seems to embrace her inner bad girl mentality, with her song Caah Chat To Mi getting favourable rotation on the radio.

"Honestly, I don't praise myself, but writing and singing is my gift," said the former graduate of the Queen's High School.

She continued: "I'm sure that I have a lot of songs coming up. I have not yet performed on a big event but as soon as one arrives it will be non-stop."

Since finding blossoming fame over the airwaves, Barrett is following her own path.

The 21 year-old singer, who voices her songs at Calibud Music in Hughenden, St Andrew, said her success is through the mercy of God.

"First of all I put God in everything I do, so He is my number one influence. Then myself, 'cause I'm a self-motivator," said Barrett.

She continued: "I admire artistes like Toni Braxton, Lady Saw, Bob Marley, Shaggy, and many more."

Not limiting herself to singing, the versatile and confident Barrett has extended her talent in writing.

She wrote a book, Steppin' Below Riches, which was inspired by personal experiences. It was published by Author House in the United States in 2006, and has left her longing for a big break.

When asked how she has managed to parlay her talent for working in studios and writing scripts into a budding musical career, she said, "Ravish is a cut-throat, straight to the point artiste. You not going to hear about me today and nothing the next day, and my lyrics are 'ill'," said Barrett.

Barrett, whose father Carl Barrett is also a recording artiste, has her mind set on one thing for the future.

"In the next five years, or possibly tomorrow, I see myself and my music just spreading around the world," she said.

"Everytime you hear Ravish, there is something different. Remember the way Bob Marley dominated the world? My songs will leave that same impact, whether it is love, life or anything in general."

Taken from the Weekend Star, Friday November 14, 2008.