Bad Gyal Jade sets sights on Reggae Sumfest after New York performance

Jamaican dancehall artist Bad Gyal Jade made a stop in Poughkeepsie, New York, last Saturday for her first solo performance in the state, and what a memorable performance it was.

The St. Catherine-born entertainer, born Mickala Williams, was in fine form as she wreaked havoc with songs like “Mixed Emotion,” “Black Tears,” “Arcanize” and “Ring-a-Ring-a-Rosie,” which fans sang word for word. The New York performance marked an important step in her career as she seeks to expand her reach beyond Jamaica.

For Bad Gyal Jade, the reception was particularly heartwarming, given that some fans traveled from as far as Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Albany and Boston to see her throw it down.

“It's more than a blessing. It was beautiful,” she shared.

Although Jade had performed in Atlanta with D'Angel before, the Poughkeepsie outing was extra special, and judging from her description, she was extremely proud.

“They received me well. They received me like, yow, me and them used to go to school together,” she said.

The performance comes at a pivotal point for the entertainer, who recently secured her U.S. work visa and permit and is looking to make deeper inroads into the American market.

Her New York-based manager, Colin “Percy” Miller, believes Jade has the versatility, stage presence and Jamaican identity needed to reach a much wider audience.

“Bad Gyal Jade is a refreshing anomaly—real, raw, and ready to take over. No imitation, no gimmicks, no hype. Just purpose, power, and pure Jamaican artistry,” he exclaimed.

His sights are already set on 2027 — and one stage in particular where he is hoping to showcase her talent: Reggae Sumfest.

“Our goal now is to push her uniqueness and sound into new markets in the USA and around the globe and of course Reggae Sumfest 2027 is a must,” Miller said.

Jade herself isn't short on confidence. Asked where she ranks among Jamaica's current crop of female dancehall artists, she declared: “I'm in the top ten. Whether they like it or not, I'm in the top ten.”

But behind the confidence is an artist who says she understands that success will ultimately depend on hard work.

“I'm just going to put in the work. I don't blame nobody. I'm going to work,” she said.

Her journey began far from the bright lights of a New York stage. Jade was born and raised in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, and recalls singing from an early age, including nervously performing at a school devotional.

She describes the journey since then as difficult but refuses to allow setbacks to define her.

“My journey hasn't been an easy one. I mean, there are things that I don't wish to talk about... I got pains I will never discuss,” she said.

Her philosophy is simple: get back up.

“You can't stay in the dark forever. You have to come out in the light at one point.”

That determination now has Jade thinking internationally.

Her association with Miller stretches back approximately six years, and Jade says having someone like Percy in her corner who believed in her talent — sometimes even more than she believed in herself — has been important to her development.

“I tend to keep people [who] believe in my talent close,” she explained.

Now that Poughkeepsie has gotten its first taste of Bad Gyal Jade, she believes another New York appearance is inevitable.

“They're definitely going to call for me again because, trust me, I put on a show,” she declared.

And before leaving New York, she offered an even more emphatic prediction:

“New York have to see me again. You have to see me again.”

If Miller's plans materialize, New York may only be the beginning.

Reggae Sumfest 2027 is now firmly in their sights.