TWIGGI


Twiggi is one of the most talented songstress in the entertainment industry. Her songwriting skills and her soulful smooth voice enabled her to obtain an international recognition, in particular Japan, Africa and Europe.

Twiggi, whose real name is Marie Gittens (her artist name is sometimes spelet Twiggy), was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She has been singing and performing since age five, first at church, to which she is still very close, and also at school.
She began her musical career in 1989 after a successful audition with the veteran singer Tinga Stewart doing background vocals in the studio. Very satisfied by her work, he introduced her to other producers like Boris Gardener and Ruddy Thomas.

She started working with Tachyon Records in 1991 who then merged with Sony Japan Records label to do many productions. Her success in Japan, came about thanks to her titles on “JaJaJah All Stars” compilations (jamaican versions of japanese hits), had led Sony Japan to make her record an album of covers of Mariah Carey divided with Lorraine in 1995. That was a very successful project. During he first week of release in Japan, it sold over a hundred thousand copies. Her career took off when she integrated Donovan Germain’s Penthouse Records label in 1993.
She recorded single after single, in a romantic repertory primarily, which were all chart toppers. The song “It's Too Late” (on Champion riddim) was the biggest hit in Uganda (Africa) since the Beatles’s song “Michelle”. She was popular also in other places in Africa. This recognition allowed her to record her self-titled debut album for Penthouse in 1996 which contains a lot of her hits for this label (like her combination with Buju Banton "Want It", “Where Did The Love Go” and “Do Me Baby”).


She moved from Penthouse in 1997 and integrated the Shocking Vibes label the same year. She collaborated in particular with the main artist of the label, Beenie Man (remember her killer vocals on the title “Bad Mind Is Active - My Prerogative” on Beenie Man's album Many Moods of Moses).
Apart from her collaborations with these labels, Twiggi also recorded for others labels like Digital B, Xterminator, Rookie Productions and High Power.

Twiggi has been providing background vocals for a number of Reggae’s most successful stars. Her mezzo soprano voice is always very appreciated in the reggae industry.
In studio, Twiggi has lent her voice to tracks for jamaican artists such as Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, Sizzla, Beres Hammond, Luciano, Garnett Silk, Marcia Griffiths, Buju Banton, Beenie Man and Lady Saw, just to name a few. She also worked for international reggae artists like Alpha Blondy (Africa), Snow (Canada), Pierpoljak (France), Nahki (Japan) and the Pop superstar Sting (from the band Police). In many cases, Twiggi did the vocal arrangements for the tracks as well.
She is also popular on stage and has toured the world with Reggae Superstars like Buju Banton, Wayne Wonder, Garnett Silk in the 90s and Toots & The Maytals since 1990.

In 2009, she went on to do a self produced album entitled the "The Sun Shines Through", full of inspirational songs that the mass can relate to, it was eligible for the Grammy process in 2010, Twiggi was also the executive Producer.

Some of her lastest singles "Reaching Out To You" (2008), "You & You Alone" (2008), "Super Human" (2013), "Kiss Me One More Time" (2014), "Power of Love" (2014), "With You I'm Born Again" (2016), "Come In" (2017) and "Too Much Heaven" (2018, an adapted classic song recorded by the Bee Gees) are all chart toppers and stil getting major airplay all over the world.


INTERVIEWS - ARTICLES :

  • Newspapers :

    Article in The Star "Twiggi sings of love lost on new single" [May 2022]

    Article in The Star "Twiggi describes the perfect man on ‘My Garden’" [February 2022]

    Article in Reggae North "Twiggi Returns To The Top Of The Charts’" [December 2021]

    Article in ClintonLindsay.com "Don't give up" [March 2020]

    Article in Jamaica Observer "Twiggy, Sadiki collab on an oldie" [January 2017]

    Article in Loop "Twiggi feels the vibe with Old Time Love" [April 2016]

    Article in Jamaica Observer "Twiggi back with Old Time Love" [March 2016]

    Article in Jamaica Observer "From back-up to centre stage" [February 2013]

    Article in Jamaica Observer "Twiggi steps out front for the sisters" [December 2012]

    Interview for Yush "Twiggi, Slim, Trim, Delicious Riddims"[May 2012]

    Interview for JamrockVybz "Inspiration can be anything even a little butterfly passing by"[August 2011]

    Article in Jamaica Gleaner "Twiggi pens 12 more messages" [April 2011]

    Article in Jamaica Observer "Twiggi plots her comeback" [March 2011]

    Article in Jamaica Gleaner "Reggae gospel artiste makes waves in Florida"[July 2010]

    Press Release of "The Sun Shines Through" [February 2010]

    Article in the jamaican newspaper CHAT news "13 questions for..." [July 2009]

    Interview on ReggaeEndz.com [June 2008]

    Interview for Penthouse Records website [February 2007]

    Biography on Shocking Vibes website


  • Audio & Video Interviews :

    Interview with Muscle for Entertainment Report Podcast - THE PULL UP [January 2023]

    Interview for Teach Dem [May 2022]

    Interview with Muscle for Entertainment Report Podcast [January 2022]

    Interview for CVMTV [December 2021]

    Interview with M. Peggy Quattro for Reggae Report [November 2021]

    Interview for www.reggaeglobalradio.com [June 2021]

    Interview with Big Bad Captain for Skyline Radio [May 2021]

    Interview for 1170am WAVS Radio [February 2020]

    interview on Music Link Magazine [December 2019]

    interview with DJ Colonel for KRFX 92/9 FM [May 2019]

    Interview with G Cole for Homegrown [November 2018]

    Interview for BENTV Breakfast Show, London [August 2018]

    Interview for Francine Chin for Jamaica's Kool97FM [July 2017]

    Interview with Deteacher for 88.1FM [April 2014]

    Interview with Lady D / dapowerhouseradio.com [March 2014]

    Interview with Chip Smith / e2onair [March 2014]

    Interview with Papa WaBe / WEAA [March 2014]

    Interview with Rico Vibes For The Tanya Mullings [July 2013]

    Audio interview for EVibes Radio Sunday Serenade [January 2011]

    Audio interview for Reggae Rhythm Update [June 2010]

    Audio interview for Reggae Rhythm Update [February 2008]


  • French readers :

    Interview pour le magazine Reggae Vibes [Décembre 2009]

    Biographie sur Reggae.fr [Juin 2007]

    Interview pour le magazine Radikal [1997]