# Cover Drive > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cover_Drive > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cover_Drive.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_Drive > Source revision: 1340232044 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Band from Barbados For the cricket shot, see [Cover drive (cricket)](/source/Cover_drive_(cricket)). Cover Drive Background information Origin Barbados Genres Reggae R&B dancehall soca hip hop pop reggae fusion dance Years active 2012–2018 Labels Polydor LAB Records Cherrytree Past members Amanda Reifer T-Ray Armstrong Barry 'Bar-Mon' Hill Jamar Harding Website wearecoverdrive.com **Cover Drive** were a four-piece Barbadian band consisting of Amanda Reifer, T-Ray Armstrong, Barry "Bar-Man" Hill and Jamar Harding. They have gained commercial success in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom). They are best known for their 2012 single "[Twilight](/source/Twilight_(Cover_Drive_song))", which peaked atop the [UK singles chart](/source/UK_singles_chart). The band was signed by record label Global Talent, a division of Polydor Records. The band obtained one of its major breaks by performing as an [opening act](/source/Opening_act) during [Rihanna](/source/Rihanna)'s [Loud Tour](/source/Loud_Tour).[1][2][3][4] The band were featured in upcoming promotions by the Barbados Tourism Authority, an international tourist-marketing agency of the Barbados government.[5][6] The group released their debut album *[Bajan Style](/source/Bajan_Style)* on 7 May 2012 in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), peaking at number 14. "Lovesick Riddim" was announced as their lead single from their EP, *Liming in Limbo* on 13 December 2013.[7] The group's second and final album *Fall Forward* was released on 10 April 2017. The group later disbanded in 2018. ## History Stronger tour, Manchester Arena Cover Drive ### 2010: Formation The band formed in their native country [Barbados](/source/Barbados).[8] The band consisted of four members: lead singer Amanda Reifer; drummer/backing vocalist T-Ray Armstrong; keyboardist/guitarist Barry Hill; and bassist Jamar Harding.[9] Reifer met Armstrong when she became his babysitter despite being only two years older, Armstrong was in the same year as Harding at school although they did not attend the same school, and Reifer met Hill at college because they were in the same year.[10] ### 2011–2012: Commercial success and *Bajan Style* Cover Drive gained many subscribers on [YouTube](/source/YouTube) with videos of them covering popular songs. In April 2011, the band signed a publishing deal with [Sony](/source/Sony) and a recording deal with [Polydor Records](/source/Polydor_Records).[11] After the band was signed they began writing and recording material for their debut album. Whilst in the studio, they met American producer [J. R. Rotem](/source/J._R._Rotem) who produced their debut single, "[Lick Ya Down](/source/Lick_Ya_Down)", which was released on 28 August 2011. After receiving heavy airplay and support on both the Radio and Music channels in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), the song debuted and peaked at number 9 on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart) and number 3 on the [UK R&B Singles Chart](/source/UK_R%26B_Chart). They later released their second single "[Twilight](/source/Twilight_(Cover_Drive_song))" on 22 January 2012, which was their first single to chart in [Ireland](/source/Ireland), debuting at number 40.[12] The song peaked at number 1 on the UK [iTunes](/source/ITunes) chart within hours of its release. The song was produced by [Quiz & Larossi](/source/Quiz_%26_Larossi). On 29 January 2012, "Twilight" debuted at number 1 on the charts in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) for the week ending 4 February 2012. On 8 March 2012, they announced "[Sparks](/source/Sparks_(Cover_Drive_song))" as the third single from the album.[13] "Sparks" was released on 29 April and debuted and peaked at number 4 on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart). Their debut album, *[Bajan Style](/source/Bajan_Style)*, was released on 7 May 2012 and debuted on the [UK Album Chart](/source/UK_Album_Chart) at number 14.[14] The fourth release from *Bajan Style*, "[Explode](/source/Explode_(Cover_Drive_song))" was re-worked with vocals from former [N-Dubz](/source/N-Dubz) member, [Dappy](/source/Dappy), and was released from the album on 26 August 2012, entering at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart.[15] The group also featured on [Far East Movement](/source/Far_East_Movement)'s "[Turn Up the Love](/source/Turn_Up_the_Love)", which was released on 21 June 2012. It peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. They toured with [Kelly Clarkson](/source/Kelly_Clarkson) on the UK & Ireland leg of her [Stronger Tour](/source/Stronger_Tour). ### 2013–18: *Fall Forward* and disbandment A lyric video for a song called "All My Love" was uploaded to the band's official [YouTube](/source/YouTube) channel on 14 February 2013. The music video was uploaded to YouTube on 1 March 2013.[16] The band was featured in a May 2013 episode of the [HGTV](/source/HGTV) series [House Hunters International](/source/House_Hunters#Spin-offs) as they searched Barbados for a house together as a band, preparing for their next album.[17] A lyric video for their lead single off of their EP, called "Lovesick Riddim", was uploaded to the band's official [YouTube](/source/YouTube) channel on 7 August 2013. The music video was uploaded to YouTube on 10 August 2013.[18] Their EP, titled "Liming in Limbo", was a taster of what was to come on their second album, *Fall Forward*.[19] The EP was released 13 December 2013.[20] Cover Drive released a song for [Crop Over](/source/Crop_Over) 2014 called "Dis Ain't Love". A lyric/music video was released via their [YouTube](/source/YouTube) account on 6 June 2014. Cover Drive also announced in June 2014 that they were recording the music video for the lead single off of their upcoming second single. It was later announced to be called "Love Junkie". A lyric video was uploaded on their [YouTube](/source/YouTube) account on 3 June. The music was uploaded on to [Vevo](/source/Vevo) on 27 June. The song was released on 27 July (UK/Europe) and 29 July (rest of world).[21] The group released their long-awaited second studio album on 10 April 2017. The group disbanded in 2018. According to Reifer, she left the band because it was "not a healthy environment".[22] ## Members - Karen Amanda Reifer – [lead vocals](/source/Lead_vocals) - Barry Hill – [guitar](/source/Guitar), [keytar](/source/Keytar) - Jamar Harding – [bass guitar](/source/Bass_guitar), [backing vocals](/source/Backing_vocals) - Thomas Ray Armstrong (T-Ray) – [drums](/source/Drums), [percussion](/source/Percussion), [backing vocals](/source/Backing_vocals), [lead vocals](/source/Lead_vocals) ## Discography Main article: [Cover Drive discography](/source/Cover_Drive_discography) ### Studio albums - *[Bajan Style](/source/Bajan_Style)* (2012) - *Fall Forward* (2017) ### EPs - *Liming in Limbo* (2013) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Ramsay, Allison (7 August 2012). ["Rihanna LOUD tour rocks Kensington"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191121/http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=19150). *[The Barbados Advocate](/source/The_Barbados_Advocate)*. Advocate Co. Ltd. Archived from [the original](http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=19150) on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Natanga Smith Hurdle (3 February 2012). ["Cover this!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120531074701/http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/cover-this/). *nationnews.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/cover-this/) on 31 May 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Staff writer (19 August 2011). ["Rihanna helps another Barbados band, Cover Drive"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192551/http://news.yahoo.com/rihanna-helps-another-barbados-band-cover-drive-133348434.html). Yahoo News. Associated Press. Archived from [the original](https://news.yahoo.com/rihanna-helps-another-barbados-band-cover-drive-133348434.html) on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Staff writer. ["Cover Drive to open show"](http://news.barbadostoday.bb/barticlenew.php?ptitle=Cover+Drive+to+open+show&article=8924). *Barbados Today*.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["BTA – local group Cover Drive"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120311051742/http://www.cbc.bb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3897%3Abta-defends-use-of-local-group-cover-drive&catid=48%3Aentertainment&Itemid=108). *cbc.bb*. 8 March 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.cbc.bb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3897:bta-defends-use-of-local-group-cover-drive&catid=48:entertainment&Itemid=108) on 11 March 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Maurice Giles (9 March 2012). ["Cover Drive back home"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193738/http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/coverdrive-back-home/). *nationnews.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/coverdrive-back-home/) on 2 January 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Cover Drive Return With New Video 'Lovesick Riddim' - @InspireLS - #LiveWell The No.1 Destination for all things #LIFESTYLE"](http://www.in-spirelsmagazine.co.uk/cover-drive-return-with-new-video-lovesick-riddim/). Retrieved 9 March 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Cover Drive scores a high note"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130928114454/http://www.networkbarbados.com/news/161). *networkbarbados.com*. 30 January 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.networkbarbados.com/news/161) on 28 September 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Cover Drive – The Big Interview"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120722081041/http://www.maximumpop.co.uk/cover-drive-interview/). Archived from [the original](http://www.maximumpop.co.uk/cover-drive-interview/) on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Ricky Jordan (31 January 2012). ["Top score"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120204130226/http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/top-score/). *nationnews.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/top-score/) on 4 February 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["CoverDrive looking to score big with new record deal"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111010042613/http://www.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/coverdrive-looking-to-score-big-with-new-record-deal/). Archived from [the original](http://www.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/coverdrive-looking-to-score-big-with-new-record-deal/) on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Chart Archive >Irish Singles > Week 04 2012"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131112180044/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2012&year=2012&week=04). [IRMA](/source/Irish_Recorded_Music_Association). Archived from [the original](http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2012&year=2012&week=04) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Cover Drive debut new single 'Sparks' - listen"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a370112/cover-drive-debut-new-single-sparks-listen.html). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Keane land fifth consecutive No.1 album with 'Strangeland'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120718014045/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a381394/keane-land-fifth-consecutive-no1-album-with-strangeland.html). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a381394/keane-land-fifth-consecutive-no1-album-with-strangeland.html) on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Cover Drive Unveil 'Explode' Video Featuring Dappy - Watch Now"](http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/173841/9). Retrieved 7 August 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Cover Drive - All My Love (Official Lyric Video)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUmxWunHTyo). 14 February 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013 – via YouTube. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Band Moves Back Home to Barbados"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130508171617/http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/band-moves-back-home-to-barbados/index.html). hgtv.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/band-moves-back-home-to-barbados/index.html) on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [*Cover Drive - Lovesick Riddim*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENPBtXPd4U4). 10 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013 – via YouTube. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["INTERVIEW: Cover Drive's Amanda Talks New Single 'Love Riddim,' Touring With Rihanna and More"](http://wearecoverdrive.com/newsitems/interview-cover-drives-amanda-talks-new-single-love-riddim-touring-with-rihanna-and-more/). *WeAreCoverDrive*. Retrieved 9 March 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** @WeAreCoverDrive (28 September 2013). ["release of our new EP 'Limin' in Limo'! And it will definitely be more than one song!"](https://twitter.com/WeAreCoverDrive/status/384015010566926336) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved 9 March 2015 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Cover Drive - Love Junkie"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3Q3VdUwepM). 27 June 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015 – via YouTube. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Yee, Angela (3 March 2025). "Way Up with Amanda Reifer + Tell Us a Secret". *Way Up with Angela Lee*. New York City. WUWY. ## External links - [Cover Drive](https://x.com/wearecoverdrive) on [X](/source/X_(social_network)) - [Cover Drive](https://www.facebook.com/wearecoverdrive) on [Facebook](/source/Facebook_(identifier)) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/wearecoverdrive/) v t e Cover Drive Studio albums Bajan Style (2012) Fall Forward (2017) Singles "Lick Ya Down" "Twilight" "Sparks" "Explode" Featured singles "Turn Up the Love" Related articles Far East Movement Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National Czech Republic Artists MusicBrainz --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cover Drive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_Drive) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_Drive?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.