Born Raymond Tenn in Kingston Jamaica, Tenna Star is a singer and songwriter who is well reputed for his powerful vocals. One of nine children, he grew up in the Red Hills Road area where he spent most of his life. During his childhood he recalls hearing his mother singing choruses throughout the days which inspired his early interest in becoming an artiste. His mother would further play a monumental role in nurturing his future career when she formed the group The Tenn’s Brothers, a gospel group with Tenna and two other brothers. Since then Tenna knew he was destined to entertain.
Tenna would eventually trade in his gospel hymns for dancehall melodies; his earliest experience in the dancehall being a singer on numerous sound systems including Crystal Sound, Rambo International, Playmate Sound, Small Axe Sound and Kilimanjaro among others. His first song, ‘Close to you’ was recorded by Danny Brownie on the Powermatic label, he then went on to record for various other labels such as Sir Guy Label, New Name Records and GG Records.
It was Kilimanjaro Studios [Dub Store] however that became Tenna’s home base where he gained great respect and popularity. Soon he was performing on various stage shows around the island singing alongside Red Dragon, Flourgon, Daddy Lizard, Sanchez, Buju Banton, Terry Ganzie, Courtney Melody, Mr. Vegas and Quench Aid to name a few.
Tenna Star migrated to England in 1994 and upon his arrival wasted no time in gaining instant recognition and fame in Birmingham and the London area. His talent was quickly discovered by record labels including Stingray Records where he recorded “Blessed Be, Rebel…My Cherie Amour, You and Me, Drowning and the latest ‘In the streets’ from which he gained great popularity in the UK and Europe. He later recorded “African Princess” for producer Murray Man which also became a big hit in Europe, and subsequently led to him touring with Murray Man in Switzerland and Sweden and Austria.
Tenna Star has earned the reputation of being one of the UK’s finest vocalists, working alongside some of the great names within the Reggae music industry, among them Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, Garnett Silk, Luciano, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man. He has also supported the likes of the great Sir John Holt and Beres Hammond on their UK tours.
A true star and consummate workaholic, Tenna spends most of his time in the studio. Tenna Star is on radio rotation with the track ‘Rebel With A Cause’. “All things are possible if you put your trust and faith in the Most High Jah! Blessed Love”
OFFICIAL LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/tennastarmusic
https://www.instagram.com/tenna.star
