Dhaima

Born April 27, 1949 Died May 9, 2000 Dhaima was born Sandra Lucille on April 27, 1949 as the first child to John and Susie Matthews. She grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. Sandra wrote her first song at the precocious age of nine and was only twelve when she boldly walked, unannounced, into the executive offices of Tree Music Publishing and told them she was ready to make a deal. She earned early recognition as a member of "The Buttons" a singing group that consisted of Sandra and Her teenage friend, Connie Burns. They recorded several songs for Columbia Records. The name "Dhaima" means "love lives forever". She was one of the original hair sculptresses who pioneered the braiding blitz that has become the fashion statement that crossed the millennium. As an art major, hair sculpture, painting, and pottery were some of the living projects that earned her credits for college graduation. Following her graduation from San Jose State University took a job at United Artists Publishing in Hollywood. She encountered the profoundly spiritual Rastafarian movement and the music of The Honorable Robert Nesta Marley, O.M. Dhaima heard her calling in the soulful melodies of reggae music and formed an immediate bond with Bob and Rita Marley that would endure throughout her life. Jamaica became her spiritual home and she became an 'unofficial' member of reggae's first family. Her tenure as a recording artist for Joe Gibbs Music in Kingston, Jamaica produced a notable discography.