Studio 204

Reggae artist Queen Yemisi today announces the release of her latest single on the 23rd January 2026. “Mutual Respect,” a powerful conscious roots statement crafted for the world music landscape. The track serves as a timely call for dignity and unity, values that have long defined the artist’s multifaceted career.

A Fusion of Heritage and Soul

Noted for her “velvet tone and expressive delivery,” Queen Yemisi’s artistry is rooted in the worlds of jazz and soul. This foundation allows her to navigate a unique sonic space where jazz, soul, and funk fusion meet the heavy influence of reggae. Unlike strictly traditional roots artists, Queen Yemisi operates as a versatile cross-genre vocalist, bringing a sophisticated, melodic sensibility to every ‘riddim’.

From London to the Heart of Jamaica

Queen Yemisi’s deep immersion into reggae culture eventually took her to Jamaica, where she collaborated with some of the genre's most established figures.

• Chart Success: In 1996, her collaboration with Jamaican deejay Du Merciless, titled “Sexy Lover” (Greensleeves Records), became a staple of the Echoes Reggae Singles Chart, where it remained for five weeks.
• Critical Acclaim: Following the success of "Sexy Lover" and the follow-up track “Rocking Chair,” she was recognised among the Top 50 Singles Acts of the year in the reggae charts.

The New Single: “Mutual Respect”

Her latest work, released via Studio 204 Records, marks a return to the conscious themes that have defined her journey. The track’s organic arrangement allows her signature vocal clarity to lead, making it a standout selection for specialist radio and world-music tastemakers.

“This song is about recognising one another as equals; across cultures, communities, and lived experiences,” says Queen Yemisi. “Mutual respect isn’t just a sentiment; it is a universal principle.”

Promotional efforts are spearheaded by The Entertainment Bureau, ensuring this release connects with audiences who value both musical substance and historical depth.

About Queen Yemisi

Queen Yemisi is a vocalist whose work bridges the gap between London’s jazz-soul circuits and the heart of Jamaican reggae. With a career spanning decades - including chart-topping releases on Greensleeves Records - she continues to address contemporary social themes with warmth, clarity, and a "velvet tone" that remains her hallmark.

BUY NOW

Las Vegas, NV – Studio 204, in collaboration with renowned singer and performer Lupe Aguilar, is thrilled to announce the release of The Treasure Project featuring Lupe Aguilar’s debut single, “Dreamin’’, the first track from an exclusive EP titled “The Treasure Project featuring Lupe Aguilar”, produced by the legendary singer, songwriter, and double Grammy Award-winning artist Barry White. “Dreamin’” will be released on the 11th April, 2025.

“Dreamin’” has a lovers rock pocket as well as the smooth Brazilian sound and feel of Sergio Mendes with the background vocals reminiscent of the late great Roy Ayers, alongside the stellar production values of Barry White, whilst topped off with the sultry melodic vocals of Lupe Aguilar.

This long-awaited EP, “The Treasure Project featuring Lupe Aguilar”, has been more than 40 years in development. Thanks to the expertise of acclaimed producer Karl KC Cousin, the first single “Dreamin’” will be released on 11th April, 2025 via Studio204Records.com.

A celebrated performer with a career spanning decades, Lupe Aguilar’s journey is a testament to resilience, independence, and artistic passion. Born into a musical family, her father, Pepe Aguilar, was an aspiring opera singer who moved their family to New York City after auditioning for The Metropolitan Opera House. Despite the challenges they faced, this relocation proved fortuitous for Lupe, who immersed herself in music, singing in choirs and glee clubs throughout her school years.

Following her studies at the High School of Art and Design, Lupe’s adventurous spirit took her across the U.S. and Mexico before she eventually settled in Houston, Texas. There, she worked as a background singer for Baba Thomas and The Light Men, a jazz group, before moving to California, where she continued to pursue her musical career.

Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Lupe showcased her talents as a background vocalist for War, Roy Ayers, and HB Barnum (Aretha Franklin’s arranger). She later joined the girl group CLASS before becoming a member of TREASURE, a group that caught the attention of industry veteran Robert Walker. Walker, who had worked in Barry White’s A&R department, collaborated with songwriter and lyricist Flery Bursey, who was also a member of TREASURE. Recognising the group’s potential, Walker introduced their music to White, who was immediately impressed. But after creative differences emerged, White returned the masters with a powerful gesture, saying: “Well then, consider this a gift”.

Fast forward to November 2024, when Lupe was introduced to Karl KC Cousin at Studio 204 in Las Vegas by her close friend Audrey King Lewis. This meeting wasn’t just a chance encounter—it was the beginning of a long-overdue musical revival. With decades of experience and passion between them, Lupe and KC embarked on a journey to bring these lost recordings to life, fusing history with modern production techniques.

The result is an extraordinary project that not only pays homage to the past but also redefines the Cuban born, Lupe Aguilar’s legacy for a new generation. Stay tuned for the official release of “Dreamin'” on 11th April, 2025 and experience the magic of music that has stood the test of time.

studio204records.com

The Entertainment Bureau

Original article appears on The Urban Music Scene Magazine