The fall of 1985 saw Baltimore give birth to two dynamic song birds Ichelle Cole and Yvonne Deane-Hibbert who have proved themselves to be soldiers in this male dominated business. These talented sistrens would set a standard in originality and professionalism in the Reggae music industry in the years to come.  As messengers of the Most High God, "Jah Rastafari," the word of truth and right comes full-force in the medium of Reggae music as played by the…

Strykers' Posse, a.k.a. We & Dem

 Strykers' Posse, a.k.a. We & Dem have graced the stage as an opening band with National acts such as The Wailers, Burning Spear, Culture, Yellow Man, Tony Rebel, Kymani Marley, Yami Bolo, Judy Mowatt, Sister Carol, Sanchez, Sugar Minott, Abyssinians, Jr. Marvin of the Wailers, Toots & the Maytals, Third World, Maxi Priest and many others. This act is one that is high energy and refreshing to watch, especially when the frontline brings out the best in entertainment in and around the local scene and features sistrens doing their stuff. The group have been voted Baltimore City’s 2000 Best Reggae Band and have been nominated several times in the WAMA (Washington Area Musician Association) awards.  Strykers’ Posse received the 2000 Dennis Brown Award at the Washington DC Reggae Music Awards.  The group received several citations over the years from the State of Maryland recognizing them for their continued support in the community. Strykers' Posse a.k.a. We & Dem consist of two sistrens, Ichelle Cole and Yvonne Deane-Hibbert known to many as the East Coast "Queens of Reggae". As well accompanying musicians.

Ichelle Cole, mother of four, is the owner/manager of the group and an accomplished producer, songwriter, arranger, vocalist and keyboardist in her own rite. Born in St. Ann, Jamaica, Ichelle migrated to the U.S.A. in 1978 and has performed with several groups in the Baltimore-Washington DC area. These groups include: The Mighty Invaders, New Determination (Featured in the film, "Clara's Heart," starring Whoopee Goldberg.), Carl Malcolm and The Positive Vibrations, Jah Works, Uprising, Innerforce, Freshly, Zebulon and the Fullness, Dread Society and Jah Rising to name a few. Ichelle has also filled in as keyboard player backing up Andrew Bees performing live at the Vermont Reggae Festival in 1996. And appeared as backing vocalist and keyboard player with Jr. Marvin of the Wailers.  Ichelle can also be heard vocally/instrumentally on several national and local artists productions such as Earl Sixteen, Judah Eskender, Englishman, Peace of Mind, Kelly Bell Band, Kwame, Jah Work’s Basementality CD, Zebulon and the Fullness and on Dread Society’s “Crucial World” album which she composed/arranged, performed on and co-produced all the music with the exception of “Natty Dread” done by “Zebulon”.  Ichelle can also be heard on the track titled “Freedom Song” on this album. Ichelle writes and arranges the majority of the group's music and adds an energy that flavors the group's international sound.

Yvonne Deane-Hibbert, mother of three, is co-vocalist of the Strykers' Posse a.k.a. We & Dem Born in London, England, of Jamaican parentage, Yvonne migrated to the United States in 1973 and has been performing in Reggae bands since 1978. Yvonne is also a self taught keyboard player who had the opportunity of performing on tour filling in as a keyboard player for Ichelle when she was away giving birth to her third child. Yvonne also has performed and worked with several groups in the Baltimore/Washington DC area such as The Mighty Invaders and New Determination, as well as lending backing vocals in the studio on productions for Englishman, Peace of Mind, Zebulon and the Fullness, Kelly Bell Band, Kwame and Jah Works’. Yvonne can also be heard on the track titled “You’ve Got What I want” on Danny Dread’s “Crucial World” album. A true professional both on stage and off, Yvonne is known for her sweet, serene and soulful voice which adds depth to the group's vocal applications. Yvonne, has been compared to the likes of Marcia Griffiths and has proved that she can hold her own in this male dominated business.

Frances (Paapa) Nyarkoh-drummer, was born in Elmina, Ghana and later migrated to the US.S.A in 2002. Paapa brings to the group the African rhythms with hardcore authenticity combined with the Jamaican Reggae sounds and the Calypso and Soca beats from around the Caribbean to produce a high energy pulsating rhythm that hits you and make you want to dance all night long. Paapa is a self-taught musician who has toured Paris, Germany & Europe playing with the popular Ghanaian group called Mega Star who backs up majority of the artists in Ghana. During his tener in that group he backed such artists like Hugh Masekela, Magic System, Chico duBasie, Bernie Mac of Sierra Leone, Kwame and many more.

The group recorded and released in December 1993 their first album titled "Jah Love" on the HOT STUFF RECORDS label owned by Ichelle Cole. This album featured 10 tracks which featured some of Jamaica's internationally known musicians Earl "Chinna" Smith, Wilburn "Squidley" Cole, Christopher Meredith, Dean Fraser, Leroy Pennicott and Isaachar.

The second CD titled "Jah Muzik" was released on HOT STUFF RECORDS label in 1998. The compilation is very well put together featuring culture, lover’s rock, spiritual and dancehall selections that will have you singing and dancing along with every track you hear. Special Guest Artists and Friends appearing on the album include: Frankie Paul, Prince Allah, Earl Sixteen, Chubby Ranks, Lenny Kurlou, Pastor Son and Englishman.

The group’s third CD titled “Changes” has just been released on HOT STUFF RECORDS label, May 2002. Again, the international sound is evident and refreshing featuring culture, lovers rock, spiritual and dancehall selection that will please both the young and the old.  The CD features 14 tracks and the fancy guitar lines of Junior Marvin of the Wailers on tracks 1,2,6,9, & 12.