Janet Kay

“Silly Games”, "Loving You", "Wishing On Star", The Closer I Get To You", "I Do Love You".

Janet Kay was discovered singing impromptu at a rehearsal studio by Tony ‘Gad’ Robinson, the keyboardist from Aswad and Janet released a reggae cover of Minnie Riperton’s song ‘Lovin’ You’.

In 1978 Kay recorded ‘I Do Love You’ and ‘That’s What Friends Are For’. The single ‘Silly Games’, was released in 1979 and became a hit across Europe, reaching No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart. The chart success of ‘Silly Games’ led to Kay appearing on Top of the Pops, then the BBC’s flagship music programme.

She played the character Angel in the UK sitcom No Problem! created by the Black Theatre Co-operative (now NitroBeat) and broadcast on Channel 4 (1983–85). While on the programme, she enjoyed a further club hit with ‘Eternally Grateful’ in 1984, which also reached the UK top 100.

Kay has recorded and co-produced her seventh album for Sony Music Japan. It was released on 18 June 2003, and is entitled ‘Lovin’ You … More’. The popularity of the song ‘Lovin’ You’ in Japan is so strong that she was asked to record it again for this album (for the third time). That version was produced by Omar. In 2014 Janet released the soul themed ‘Classic Covers Collection’ album.

‘Silly Games’ first hit the UK charts in 1979, and appeared again in 1990 as a re-recording, billed as by Lindy Layton featuring Janet Kay, which reached No. 22. A remix version of Kay’s original recording spent three weeks in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 62.

Janet was included on the 2003 list of ‘100 Great Black Britons’.

Janet Kay affectionately known as the 'Queen of Lovers Rock', is a UK multi-award winning international Reggae Artist, Actress, Songwriter, Creative Entrepreneur and was listed on the King Charles III Honours List 2023 and received an MBE for her services to Music.

Janet Kay best known for her stellar UK hit single “Silly Games”, which placed her in the Music Guiness Book of Records as the first Black British born Female Reggae artist to reach the top of the UK Britsh Pop Charts in 1979. Janet has been voted by the British public in a poll published by the Evening Standard as one of the 100 Great Black Britons in history to date.

Janet has been produced by legendary producers/artists, including the Late Great Alton Ellis, who was the first to record Janet in 1977, the Late Jackie Mitto alongside the Late Sugar Minott , Late Lloyd Charmers, Dennis Bovell, Omar and the Late Great Drummie Zeb and Tony Gad from Aswad to name but a few.

The 1990’s saw Janet Kay shot to international stardom in Japan with her re-recorded version of “Loving You”, first recorded in 1977, taking the No. 1 spot in the charts on all radio stations for many weeks. This led to Janet being signed by Sony Music Japan for a period of 12 years in which me she has released 6 albums including 3 Platinum and Gold selling. Janet has consistently toured Japan from 1991 to 2018.

Janet has also had success as an actress, in theatre, television and radio, starring in the 1981 cult hit TV sitcom “No Problem” as the character ‘Angel’.

Each year Janet performs at many festivals up and down the UK including the "Soultasia" and ‘Let’s Rock’ Festivals. Janet was also featured in the 'Giants of Soul' Tour, working along side Deniece Williams, Alexander O'Neil, Jaki Graham, Gwen Dickey (Rose Royce), Candace Woodson and Tunde Baiyewu (Lighthouse Family).

ACCOLADES

Silver Disc – Silly Games (1979).

Black Echoes, British Reggae Awards, Best Singer, Best 7” Vinyl Single, Best 12” Vinyl Single (1979).

Memorial Disc in Commemoration of 1 Platinum and 2 Gold albums in Japan, presented by Sony Music Japan (1994) .

Contribution to British Black Music Industry (2001) .

Men & Women of Merit, in association with Barclays, Award for Outstanding Contribution to Black Music (2002).

Hidden Creative Economy Awards (2010) .

PowerSis Women of Substance, UK & International Female Reggae Vocalist (2012) .

PowerSis Women of Substance, Best Lovers Rock Single ‘Silly Games’ (2012).

Voted one of the UK’s ‘100 Great Black Britons’ by the Evening Standard.

In recognition of 4 decades of hard work and service to the British Black Music sector, in particular for popularising Lovers Rock globally and putting Brent on the musical map. Presented by BritishBlackMusic.com/

Black Music Congress (2017).

Reggae Fraternity UK Celebrating 40 Years in the Music Industry (2017).

Bright Star Lifetime Achievement Award (2020).

King Charles III Honours List (2023) - MBE for services to Music. Black British Heritage Award for services.