Jaya (singer)
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María Luisa Ramsey (born March 21, 1970), better known mononymously as Jaya, is a Filipina soul music singer, rapper, dancer, record producer, presenter, and actress of mixed Visayan and Jamaican descent. She is a contract artist of GMA Artist Center. She is the first Filipino recording artist to chart in the United States, as her debut single "If You Leave Me Now" peaked at 44 at the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Early life
María Luisa Ramsey was born on March 21, 1970 in Manila, Philippines. Her mother is Elizabeth Ramsey, a Filipino comedienne and singer of Jamaican descent. Ramsey's father is Ray Kagahastian, a Filipino. Her parents separated when she was young, while her father migrated to the United States. He now resides in Alberta, Canada.
She started show business at the age of ten as a backup dancer of her mother. Having a dancing career at early life up to the age of 13 has been a victory as a backup dancer in which her mother, Elizabeth Ramsey, became the undefeated champion in singing on the GMA-7 noontime variety show, Student Canteen, and later joined the Opera House. She began performing solo in 1982, using the name Louise Ramsey.
