Cover Drive
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Barbados |
| Products | Studio albums: Bajan Style, Fall Forward; EP: Liming in Limbo |
Cover Drive was a Barbadian musical quartet consisting of Amanda Reifer, T-Ray Armstrong, Barry "Bar-Man" Hill, and Jamar Harding. They attained notable commercial acclaim in the United Kingdom, particularly with their 2012 hit single "Twilight", which secured the number one spot on the UK singles chart.
Under the Global Talent label, a branch of Polydor Records, Cover Drive gained considerable recognition as an opening act during Rihanna's Loud Tour. Additionally, they participated in promotional activities for the Barbados Tourism Authority, which bolstered their international visibility. Their inaugural album, Bajan Style, was released in the UK on 7 May 2012 and reached number 14 on the charts. On 13 December 2013, they introduced "Lovesick Riddim" as the lead track from their EP Liming in Limbo. Their sophomore and final album, Fall Forward, came out on 10 April 2017 before the band dissolved in 2018.
2010: Formation
Originating in Barbados, the group comprised four members: Amanda as lead vocalist, T-Ray handling drums and backing vocals, Barry "Bar Man" Hill on keyboards and guitar, and Jamar playing bass. Amanda initially met T-Ray when she babysat him despite being only slightly older; meanwhile, T-Ray and Jamar were classmates, and Amanda encountered Bar-Man during her college years.
2011–2012: Commercial breakthrough and Bajan Style
Cover Drive first built an audience through YouTube by posting cover performances. In April 2011, they secured a publishing contract with Sony alongside a recording agreement with Polydor Records. Collaborating with producer J. R. Rotem, they launched their debut single "Lick Ya Down" on 28 August 2011. The song enjoyed substantial airplay across UK radio stations, reaching number 9 on the UK Singles Chart and climbing to number 3 on the UK R&B Chart.
Their follow-up single "Twilight", released on 22 January 2012, became their initial entry into the Irish charts at number 40 and swiftly topped the UK iTunes chart. Produced by Quiz & Larossi, it debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending 4 February 2012. The third single, "Sparks", released on 29 April, peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
The group's debut album Bajan Style, launched on 7 May 2012, entered the UK Album Chart at number 14. Their fourth single "Explode", featuring Dappy from N-Dubz and released on 26 August 2012, reached number 29 on the UK Singles Chart.
In addition to their own releases, Cover Drive appeared on Far East Movement's "Turn Up the Love", which came out on 21 June 2012 and peaked at number 13 in the UK Singles Chart. They also supported Kelly Clarkson during her Stronger Tour across the UK and Ireland.
2013–18: Fall Forward release and group dissolution
On 14 February 2013, a lyric video for "All My Love" was posted to Cover Drive’s official YouTube channel, followed by its official music video debuting on 1 March.
In May of that year, Cover Drive featured on HGTV's House Hunters International, showcasing their search for a residence in Barbados as they prepared material for their forthcoming album.
"Lovesick Riddim," serving as the lead single from their EP Liming in Limbo, had its lyric video released on 7 August 2013 and an official music video shortly after on 10 August. The EP itself was made available on 13 December 2013 and served as a preview of their subsequent album Fall Forward.
The band was incorrectly attributed to the track “One Love,” a claim they refuted; it was actually a demo recorded by Kamille.
Ahead of Crop Over in 2014, they unveiled "Dis Ain't Love," accompanied by lyric and music videos released on 6 June. Concurrently, they announced "Love Junkie," the lead single from their upcoming second album; its lyric video premiered on 3 June with a Vevo music video following on 27 June. The single officially launched on 27 July in the UK/Europe and two days later internationally.
Their second studio album was issued on 10 April 2017. The ensemble disbanded in 2018 after Amanda Reifer cited an unhealthy atmosphere as her reason for departing.
Members
- Karen Amanda Reifer – lead singer (2010–2018)
- Barry Hill – guitarist, keytar player (2010–2018)
- Jamar Harding – bass guitarist, supporting vocals (2010–2018)
- Thomas Ray Armstrong (T-Ray) – drummer, percussionist, supporting vocals, lead singer (2010–2018)
Studio albums
- Bajan Style (2012)
- Fall Forward (2017)
EPs
- Liming in Limbo (2013)
External links
- Pop music groups
- Barbadian musical groups
- Reggae fusion groups
- 2010 establishments in Barbados
- Musical groups established in 2010
- 2018 disestablishments in North America
- Musical groups disbanded in 2018
- Dancehall groups
- Mixed-gender musical quartets
- Female-fronted musical groups
- Musical groups disestablished in 2018