Amanda Reifer: The Icon | Interview with Bajan artist, singer-songwriter, director.
Amanda wearing the Star Bureau Icon cap and a sample version of the Star Bureau Trident Jersey. Photography by Junior Sealy.
Amanda Reifer is a Bajan singer-songwriter whose artistry is defined by sound, identity, and a deep connection to home. Blending pop, hip-hop, reggae, and soul, she first rose to prominence as the frontwoman of Cover Drive, achieving multiple UK Top 10 hits, including a #1 single. Since launching her solo career in 2018, she has carved out a space defined by instinct and emotional honesty, with releases such as “Bang Bang” and “Rich Bitch Juice.” Her global reach expanded in 2022 with “Die Hard” alongside Kendrick Lamar and BLXST from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, earning a GRAMMY® nomination and Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 placement. Through The Reifer Files (TITLE9/Atlantic Records), Amanda steps further into a multidisciplinary practice, co-creating across writing, directing, editing, and curation. Equal parts artist and world-builder, her work reflects a deep reverence for Barbados and a constant drive to evolve her creative language.
We caught up with her in Barbados for this interview, capturing photos of her wearing The Icon cap and a sample version of the Star Bureau Trident Jersey, which has since been refined for its final release.
Q. Can you introduce yourself to people who might not know your work yet?
I’m Amanda Reifer, a multidisciplinary artist - singer, songwriter and director - born and raised in Barbados.
Amanda wearing the Star Bureau Icon cap and a sample version of the Star Bureau Trident Jersey in Black/Blue. Photography by Junior Sealy.
Q. When did you first start your craft, and what kept you going?
I started songwriting when I was 15. I had a big blue song book, which I would write in constantly. I didn’t realize at the time what songwriting would grow to mean to me. It taught me to trust myself and my instincts. It’s opened doors for me, and it’s gotten me through some of the most difficult periods of my life. It is freedom for me – from writing in the band to writing as a solo artist and for others. It was my literal lifeline when I first moved to LA on my own. It gives me an unfiltered place to express my thoughts and emotions, and the freedom to not have to depend on others for a voice. Every other discipline I practice, from singing to directing and even painting, starts with the songs I write.
Photography by Junior Sealy.
Q. What inspires your work, and where do you usually get your ideas from?
I’m inspired by life—the experiences I’m constantly having, both good and bad. They are all shaping my work. When I create visuals for my music, I’m deeply inspired by home, Barbados. I like what’s real and honest.
Q. How do you approach your work or projects, and what does your creative process look like?
I approach everything with open-mindedness. I don’t have one specific formula for getting the song I want or creating the visual I imagine. I stay open to all the possible ways art can be created, as long as it feels right. Sometimes a song wants to evolve and take a different shape than I originally intended… that is really exciting, so staying flexible and being able to make the bend when those inspirations hit is important to me.
Amanda wearing the Star Bureau Icon Cap. Photography by Junior Sealy.
Q. What does being an “Icon” mean to you, and how do you see that in your work?
Being an icon means something to people because it represents something within who they are… a point of view, an emotion, a place… I hope people feel represented in my work. I want to represent the truth, my home, Barbados, and the complexities of being human. I hope that when people listen to my album and watch my visuals, becomes an icon that they can claim as their own.
Star Bureau Icon Logo Cap – Black/White Adjustable Snapback
£50.00
Q. How do you learn from others or connect with your creative community, and why is that important?
I’m a student at heart. When I get the opportunity to work with people whose work I admire, I try to absorb as much as I can. I learnt so much from the collaborators on my album… the most important thing I learnt was to leave judgment in the parking lot, and to trust and allow creativity to do its thing. I tapped into my community of creatives back home to create the visuals for my album, and that was a crazy and oddly comforting experience… knowing that, to my left and right, were my friends and creatives who were willing to do some pretty daring things with me, like free diving or trekking through the forest at 4am to help bring the visions to life, gave me a sense of camaraderie. I’m a DIY girl, but when I find creative collaborators I trust, I cherish them.
Amanda wearing the Star Bureau Icon cap and a sample version of the Star Bureau Trident Jersey in Blue/Yellow. Photography by Junior Sealy.
Q. What’s next for you, and how do you want to grow as an artist?
Releasing my album is my focus right now… I’m really looking forward to developing my live show and bringing the album to a live space.
Q. If you could collaborate with anyone, past, present, or future, who would it be and why?
I’d love to collaborate with Sister Nancy; now that is an icon.
Follow @amandareifer on social media for future releases, news and updates. Images by Junior Sealy.
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