Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, Carlene Davis later moved to England at age fourteen. By fifteen, she was professionally performing while playing a guitar as a member of an all-female band. She then joined pop-trio, Toreadores, before moving to Ontario, Canada, where she spent eight years. She recorded her debut single, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” in Toronto and a version of Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come”, which became a local hit.

By 1980, Davis went back to Jamaica and performed her songs like “It Must Be Love,” Peace and Love”, “Winnie Mandela”, “Dial My Number”, and “Going Down to Paradise” at various reggae festivals. She released several albums in the ’80s and became one of the most recognized female reggae artists. She was acknowledged as the Best Female Vocalist at the Caribbean Music Awards.

Davis gave prominence to the Christian faith and started re-recording gospel music after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996. She released “Vessel” in 1998 and “This Island Needs Jesus” in 2000, which became a favourite in many Caribbean countries. The same year, she was announced as the Minister of Music for the Family Church on the Rock, in Kingston. She was awarded a doctorate in pastoral counselling and is now an ordained minister. Davis and her husband, Tommy Cowan, started the recording studio Judah Recording and the Glory Music Productions and produce the annual event, Fun in the Son, a celebration of music, praise, and worship. Davis and her family fellowship at Family Church on the Rock, Kingston, Jamaica.