Respect | Tuff Like Iron

Tuff Like Iron

Rebel from birth, Tuff like Iron is a fashion designer, turned musician from New York. As an undeniable firebrand, she is inspired by her Trinidadian heritage and a kaleidoscopic life lived between Kingston, Brooklyn and California. At the top of 2014 she released her Jah Ova Evil produced debut ‘1986 – EP’ and has since arrested the attention of roots reggae masses with the singles ‘I’m Talking To You’, ‘Equal Rights’, ‘Keep Your Head Up’ and ‘Mr. Babywrong’ featuring Zi-onites.

In February 2015, her eponymous ‘Tuff Like Iron’ single appeared on the Black Roots Riddim produced by Fyakin of Nyle Banks Music. The song is the artist’s own affirmation of her purpose in the musical jungle. It skillfully doubles as an anthem for all those determined to rise above adversity and seek a higher consciousness. Tuff returned to California from Jamaica where she was worked on live shows, recording new material with the Jah Ova Evil recording camp as well as filmed videos for her ‘The Almighty One’ and ‘Tuff Like Iron’ singles.

April 2015 saw Tuff Like Iron grace the cover of IRIE Magazine’s ‘The 420 issue’, our issue dedicated to strengthening the marijuana and hemp legalization movement. She also had an introduction feature in the ‘Made In Jamaica’ Edition of Riddim Magazine (Germany) which include the theme song by Tuff Like Iron.

In June 2015, Tuff Like Iron’s track, ‘Chair Gone Down’ was officially released by the Conscious Riddims family out of Hawaii on the two disc project entitled ‘Be Still And Know’ featuring roots heavyweights Midnite, Ras Batch, Mada Nile, Prezident Brown and Perfect Giddimani among others. The track is a lyrical call to arms against all forms of injustice and oppression.

Tuff Like Iron has been very busy this summer. In July, she performed with the Rebel Lion band at the Asheknaz in Berkeley, CA and at the Oroville Rock Reggae Jamfest in Oroville CA. She also performed up and down the Pacific Coast opening for the royal family of reggae, Morgan Heritage, at their sold out shows. Tuff Like Iron had two performances in August; the Lioness on the Rise show (August 8) and the Indigo Sun Marcus Garvey Boat Ride (August 16).

Most recently, Tuff volunteered for a week with the Sew Green fashion Camp hosted by the Black Girls Sew family in Brooklyn where she helped teach 18 youngsters from ages 8-14 how to sew.

Tuff is currently working on a EP with the One Drop Records family, at a studio deep in the Redwoods on a project she wants to call ‘Redwood Rockers.’ Her latest release, ‘Orange Peel’, was recorded and produced by Rally Up in Oakland, CA.

Look for Tuff at the Yoga Reggae Fest alongside Third World on Sept 19, 2015.