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Almere Harmony brings vocal ode to freedom

ALMERE – In honor of May 5th, Liberation Day, vocal group Almere Harmony is back. Through a short video featuring excerpts of their favorite freedom songs, the close-harmony group will demonstrate, entirely acapella, their commitment to freedom.

Almere Harmony won the 2022 Songs for Freedom contest in Flevoland and opened the Flevoland Liberation Festival in Almere with their winning freedom song. The trio, originally consisting of Bjork Lommers, Andrea Rickets, and Vanessa Marcia, has since expanded to include Serena Koster, also from Almere. 

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Vanessa Marcia on Ghana promotour during ‘Detty December’ 2025

In the last month of last year Vanessa was programmed to perform at the Abuja Reggae Festival that took place on December 18 in Abuja, Nigeria. Unfortunately she couldn’t make it anymore to be there physically due to circumstances. But she still attended via a video performance that has been shown at the festival and later also at the Reggae Dance nights on Mondays. Vanessa gives much thanks to the organization for inviting her and for making it possible to still participate to the festival.
But instead of entering Nigeria, she made it well and safe to Ghana and overthere many other adventures were waiting for her in this journey.
In the first days she had a meeting with her longtime acquaintence Razz Dreddi and a group talented dancers, because of a new intitiative to give acrobat dancers more exposure and a bigger platform by organizing a festival and realize more development possibilities by an exchange project, where VVFLEX will play a role. This conversation led to a meeting with Mr. Bessa Simons of MUSIGA and everyone is looking forward to kick it off this year. The project is to be continued.
During her stay in Accra she was also invited at some radiostations to introduce herself and her music to the Ghanian audience. She had interviews with ‘Reggae Bombadier’ Nana Ntow at Dadi FM and she was invited even twice in the radioshow Reggae Connect of selecta Donwanni and Ras Judah on X’ Borg FM.
In the last days of her stay she also had a live session in the show Yaad Settingz Jam with award winning DJ King Lagazee at Asaase Radio.
Vanessa had just released 2 new singles on which she is featured in November and December and she went to promote them. Her music was well received and appreciated, but the radio hosts also loved another track of her, that wasn’t released yet. Because of this, Vanessa decided to shoot a videoclip of this song right there in Ghana and she planned to release this single in February 2026 and also to premiere it in Ghana.
Furthermore she got in contact with some Ghanian musicians and met an all women band, with who she hopes to work in the future together with her own all ladiesband Ladiesjam.

With a few artists there are already featurings planned so there’s work in progress and we’re looking forward to the promising results of these collaborations.

Look back at the interview with King Lagazee at Asaase Radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk6swggtfbA
Video performances for the Abuja Reggae festival:
“Dem a Suffer”: https://youtu.be/AklQf4ecEjY

Vanessa Marcia representing Raypower Abuja FM at Rototom Festival in Spain

In August 2025 Vanessa went to Rototom festival in Benicassim, Spain on behalf of Murphy Dread of the radiostation Raypower FM in Abuja, Nigeria. This was especially for the Reggae Night radioshow that Murphy Dread hosts.
Vanessa got the chance to meet and interview renowned artists for the station, like the names mentioned down below.

Look back on this amazing experience in the video with a compilation of the shoutouts overhere https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6fgMcTPOJw

Give thanks for the big up: Julian Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Spice, Original Koffee, Alborosie, Ky-mani Marley, Mellowmood, Kaylan Arnold, Yaadcore, Amara (backing vocal Ariwa Posse), Mad Professor, Big Youth, Aisha, David Kats, Ras Julio (House of Rastafari) and everyone else who gave a shoutout and support to Raypower FM Abuja!

“Women of the World” the new release by: Armin meets Systalova & Vanessa Marcia

Albanian producer Armin , who has been living in Perugia, Italy for several years, released his highly anticipated new album, “Women Of The World,” on December 5th . This project is not just a musical one, but a true anthem dedicated to the strength, resilience, and value of all women.
“Women Of The World” is a deeply felt work, dedicated to “all the women of the world, our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our life partners .” The release ideally embraces all those who suffer, caught up in genocide, inhumane wars, or deprived of fundamental rights and freedoms by systems that seek to destroy them. The collaborating artists demonstrate a profound social and human commitment through their lyrics.
Made up of a total of three tracks, two of which are vocal and one instrumental, the release boasts the participation of two talented artists who enrich the project with their voices and messages: SystaLova , a well-established artist in the world of Italian reggae music, hailing from Treviso (Italy) and Vanessa Marcia , a singer originally from Suriname and residing in Almere-Haven (Netherlands).
The project was produced by Armin in a deep dub style, creating an intense sonic atmosphere that perfectly frames the important and meaningful lyrics written by SystaLova and Vanessa Marcia.
The post-production work, from mixing to mastering, was handled by the well-known expert Pouria Nikpou , ensuring impeccable audio quality to best convey the powerful message of the work.
“Women Of The World” is now available on producer Armin’s Bandcamp channel, ready to spread his message of solidarity and hope.

(Sevejah – RitmoInLevare Press Service)

Read the original article in Italian here: www.ritmoinlevare.it/women-of-the-world-armin-meets-systalova-vanessa-marcia/

TRACKLIST
1. Armin meets Systalova – Women Of The World
2. Armin meets Vanessa Marcia – Dem A Suffer
3. Armin – Jah Warriors


DIGITAL STORE: ( Bandcamp )

CREDITS:
Music: Armin
Vocals and lyrics: Vanessa Marcia (Vanessa Veldhuis) and SystaLova (Cristina Capitanio)
Mix and master: Pouria Nikpou
Release: December 5, 2025

Rotterdam Producer David Oron and UK Artist DubWulf Unite for Cross-Continental Anthem “Family”

For full bio’s and more info https://www.freyawolf.co.uk/Press_Family

[GLOBAL RELEASE – 7th November, 2025] – A powerful new single has emerged from an unlikely international collaboration, as Rotterdam producer David Oron and UK artist Freya Wolf (DubWulf) announce the release of their genre-fusing track, “Family.” Featuring the dynamic vocals of Vanessa Marcia, the song is a heartfelt message for a world in need of connection.

The track’s unique story began across the North Sea, with the duo’s creative synergy transcending borders and geographical distance. The collaboration brought together Oron’s distinctive production style and DubWulf’s poignant lyricism, proving that shared vision can overcome any divide. This cross-continental genesis is a testament to the song’s core message of unity and partnership.

For DubWulf, the track marks a bold and exciting new direction, as she ventures into reggae-infused sounds for the first time. The result is a fresh fusion that blends the soulful pulse of reggae with her own distinctive style.

Musically, the track seamlessly blends the soulful, rhythmic pulse of reggae with modern production for a sound that is both classic and current. The result is an infectious groove that feels immediately uplifting while offering something new and unexpected.

Lyrically, the song is a powerful statement on diversity, union and inclusivity. Freya Wolf’s heartfelt words resonate with themes of culture and family, reminding us of the strength found in our collective voices.

“I’ve always been inspired by reggae, and creating this song with David was an incredible experience. It felt like a natural progression, and I wanted to write something that celebrated our differences while reminding us that we are all part of one large global family,” says Freya Wolf. “The collaboration with David and Vanessa was a perfect example of that message coming to life through music.”

“Creating ‘Family’ was a truly organic process,” adds David Oron. “We aimed to honor the reggae influences while bringing a modern edge to the production. The moment Freya’s lyrics were added, the song’s soul truly came alive.”

With its uplifting sound and universal message, “Family” is more than just a track—it’s an anthem for today’s world. The combined talents of David Oron, DubWulf, and Vanessa Marcia have created a song that spreads hope and positivity, leaving a lasting impact on listeners.

Vanessa Shares Her Love for Cooking in Boodschappen Editors’ Series

Read Full Story on Page 22 and 64 From The Link Below

https://issuu.com/boodschappen_magazine/docs/boodschappen_10_2022

The Surinamese language, food, and music play a major role in Vanessa’s life. And no party is complete without gingabiri, or ginger beer. This music teacher—who runs a foundation for talent development for vulnerable groups, among others—enjoys it immensely. “I learned to cook from my mother when I was

9 years old. Even then, I regularly cooked entire meals for our family, and gradually I developed my own style. Whatever I make, even if it’s just potatoes with sprouts (which doesn’t happen often, by the way), I always add something of my own. Surinamese style, you might say… Garlic, onions, Maggi cubes, and peppers provide that specific flavor, as does ginger. During parties, it is customary for us to make ginger beer. I prefer the fresh version, but others make it very sweet or spicy by adding Madame Jeanette pepper. For me, a good ginger beer is nice and sweet and a little spicy. I like to add lemon and pineapple juice, and once it’s seasoned to taste, this drink is really delicious and thirst-quenching. My children (aged 3 and almost 1) and my partner also enjoy it. He is from Nigeria and I am originally Afro-Surinamese, so we ultimately have the same roots. This is not only reflected in the basis of our cuisines, but also in our love of Afro music and good food and drink.