Erica Newell is a Jamaican reggae artist known for her involvement in the female reggae movement. She began her professional singing career at the age of 15 and gained recognition as part of the backup trio, 2+1, for Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, alongside Sharon and Cedella Marley. After the Melody Makers ceased working, Erica embarked on a solo career, recording her own reggae album that incorporates various musical influences.

Raised in a strict Christian household, Erica's early musical influences included Mahalia Jackson, Jim Reeves, and the Chapel Singers. As she grew older, she was inspired by artists like Pam Hall, Denise Williams, Judy Mowatt, Patti Labelle, Sarah Vaughn, and Chaka Khan, among others. Her music is described as heartfelt and spans multiple genres, though her solo work primarily focuses on reggae.

In addition to her solo endeavors, Erica was a member of The Original Wailers, a reggae group formed by Al Anderson and Junior Marvin. She contributed to their debut EP, "Miracle," which was released in 2012 and nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

Despite the challenges faced by female artists in reggae, Erica has received love and respect throughout her career. She continues to pursue her passion for music, driven by the support of her musician family and her faith.