Music manager makes debut as singer

Some impresarios successfully make the transition to pop stars, the most famous being Diddy.

DJ Khaled also became a mega star after a thriving career as a club DJ in South Florida. Music manager Christine Malvasio, who is also known as Spiky, is eyeing similar glory.

The American singer's first song, AssMazing, a collaboration with Jamaican singjay Honorebel, was released in July by her Diamond Distro label.

The single is produced by JonFX, the Jamaican behind Gyptian's 2010 smash hit Hold Yuh as well as hits by late rapper XXXtentacion. AssMazing came about while Spiky was vibing with him at a South Florida recording studio. She was eager to find a song to promote her clothing line of the same name, which is expected to be launched in October. JonFX conjured a track and suggested Spiky take a crack at the vocals, which she did after initial reluctance.

Honorebel, a popular figure in the Sunshine State's dancehall/hip hop circuit, was eventually drafted into the project which Spiky describes as "a magical journey".

"It's been great. Honorebel has been a really good mentor," she said.

Born in Rochester, New York, Spiky got a major break in 2013 with singer August Alsina's hit single, I Luv This Sh*t which went double platinum. She co-wrote and led promotion of the song which was produced by Knucklehead, one of her clients.

She has since worked with a number of pop, R&B and reggae acts, including Trinidad-born rapper Trinidad James. Determined to build her brand, Spiky plans to release a song on the 15th of each month heading into Christmas.