Payge was born in the Caribbean on the island of Trinidad and Tobago. Her mother was very musical and taught Payge to harmonize with her sisters at a young age. When she was 11, Payge's parents separated and thought it best for her to move to the U.S. with her father for a better education. Arriving in Kansas in the middle of winter was a major culture shock for Payge, but she joined the choir and theater and focused on music. She went on to get her degree in music theory and vocal performance, and later moved to Seattle to pursue a career as a soul singer. Payge currently teaches voice and keyboard classes at the School of Rock, and plays with her band every chance she gets.