Though she has been a feature in the popular Nevisian band, The KORE, for some time now, it was only when she graced the stage at the 2011 St. Kitts Music Festival, that she was able to attract the attention of the media, soca fans and promoters.

When she released her soca groovy single, “With or without you” in December last year, ahead of the soca competition for St. Kitts & Nevis Carnival, the song became an instant hit, receiving great reviews in the media and featured prominently in rotations on local radio stations.

Now, less than two weeks after carnival, Ali Dee’s “With or without you” is now hitting the charts in Europe, specifically England. In a short space of time the song has shot to the Number One spot, on the very popular VIBES FM online radio station in England.

Last week the song was at Number 5 but the past few days have seen a dramatic rise, as its popularity soars and new fans embrace the genius of this new soca sensation, who last month placed First Runner-up in the St. Kitts & Nevis Soca (Groovy) Monarch Competition.

Ali Dee has all the ingredients of a professional; a melodious voice, fantastic stage presentation, warming and friendly personality, ability to read her audience and adjust accordingly to please them, and also quite capable of connecting with her audience to get them involved and partying.

If there were to be a prize for “Best New Artiste”, it would certainly be Ali Dee.

When asked by MiyVue.com how it feels to have made it to Number One, Ali Dee responded with great delight, “No words can accurately describe what I am feeling right now. Aside from the joy and the pride, I am feeling driven.  Making it to #1 for me is inspiration; inspiration to do more music, more soca music. It brings me self confidence that I have what it takes to make myself and my country proud, and that’s exactly what #1 has inspired me to push towards.”

She also indicated that her participation in the recent soca monarch contest has helped to build her stage confidence and enhanced her overall performance, “I have always been stage shy.  For soca monarch I had to put aside my stage fright.  I’ve seen myself evolve, my coaches, colleagues and everyone else has seen a noted improvement in my performance delivery.  I must say that amongst other benefits, this is what stands out most for me.” 

With a successful carnival behind her and now a Number One single, Ali Dee is already looking ahead, “With or Without You” is #1 and of course a music video is on its way.  That is my premier goal at this time. My ultimate goal for the 1st half of 2012 is to complete a soca album; look out for that. Though to most, including myself, I’m considered a new comer, I already have regional and international travel opportunities being presented for me to perform. I have a voice, a talent that for too long has been on hold… This is my time.”

Ali Dee however, is aware that the road ahead has its challenges, “The major issue in the music industry is funding. This is an issue in every industry as a matter of fact.  As an artiste, I can testify to the fact that we a not marketed enough by our own. Local institutions tend to invest in sponsoring sports leagues, bands, queen show contestants etc.  We as artistes promote our country and represent our country more than those whom are being invested in; it’s time we invest in our local artistes. Americans invest in and market Americans, Jamaicans invest in and market Jamaicans; local acts need that assistance, I need it.”