Years from now when Naomi Cowan reflects on her career, she may point to 2023 as her watershed. It marked a comeback of sorts for the singer who recorded a hit song, returned to touring and appeared in what possibly may be the biggest movie for 2024.

Cowan, 25, found her footing again after the frustrating restrictions of Covid-19. Despite some personal disappointments, she said the past year has been fulfilling.

“My biggest accomplishment this year, is finishing in a place where my mind is at peace. There’s nothing more valuable than peace of mind. I am grateful. This year I went back on the road in Europe for the summer, the first time since 2019. It was really tough the last few years after the pandemic, promoting music and hoping to make my way back to the audience that plays a big role in my success,” she disclosed.

Her European dates included Summerjam in Cologne, Germany in June and the Notting Hill Carnival in the United Kingdom two months later. Cowan also scored a hit song with ‘We Run The Area’, alongside British actor Idris Elba and deejay Toddla T.

She closed 2023 in early December with a 30-minute set on the Welcome To Jamrock Cruise. Being cast as Marcia Griffiths of The I-Three in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’, the highly-anticipated Marley biopic scheduled for release in February 2024, may be her biggest triumph for the year.

Due to regulations from Paramount Pictures, distributors of the film, Cowan was unable to say much about that project but listed her first role in a big budget movie as a career highlight.

Considering her lineage, Naomi Cowan seemed destined for a life in entertainment. Her father, Tommy Cowan, was a member of The Jamaicans of ‘Ba Ba Boom’ fame; he also produced songs by Ras Michael And The Sons of Negus and Israel Vibration, and worked as a marketing man for Bob Marley.

Her mother, Carlene Davis, had a number of hit songs throughout the 1980s such as ‘Like Old Friends Do’ and ‘Going Down to Paradise’. ‘Paradise Plum’ and a cover of The Jamaicans’ ‘Things You Say You Love’ have been Cowan’s biggest solo successes to date.

For all the professional strides made in 2023, she said personal growth trumps them.

“My biggest accomplishment is knowing I’ve grown in love. My love for life, people and music.”

(Photo contributed)