Demarco, Stephen Marley Team Up For ‘Dance My Stress Away’ And 14 More New Dancehall Songs
It’s been a healthy week for new Dancehall music, with both newcomers and established acts releasing quality tracks with big hit potential. Industry heavyweights like Bounty Killer and Stephen Marley add new sounds to their extensive catalogs, while hot-right-now names like Govana, Skillibeng, and Rytikal cement themselves further as forces to be reckoned with.
Even as we await the release of Spice’s highly anticipated album, 1o, later this week, Jada Kingdom and Shaneil Muir are on the grind and giving us plenty of ear and eye candy to feast on. Several new and rising stars also stake their claims on the future of Dancehall with solid efforts.
In addition to 10Tik’s Burning Issue, Prettii Prettii’s Sad Eeeh, Moyann & Intence’s Too Good, Lila Iké’s Batty Rider Shorts, and Quada’s Day One, here are 15 more top picks for the week. Just want the tracks? Find our Spotify playlist below.
Demarco, Stephen Marley – Dance My Stress Away
Reggae royalty Stephen Marley teams up with dancehall all-rounder Demarco to throw their hat in the ring for a late summer party banger. It’s safe to say they achieved their target, as Demarco’s squeaky clean vocals and catchy lyrics (some of which sample Michigan & Smiley’s 1979 hit Nice Up The Dance) complement Marley’s laid-back control of the chorus just perfectly. The video, released on Friday, adds familiarity and humor to an already enjoyable party starter that might appear on Demarco’s upcoming debut album.
Jayds — Mek Fi We
The 4th Genna camp’s producer-cum-deejay Jayds is celebrating his versatility and reminding his fanbase that ‘da life ya mek fi we’ in this new ‘Traphall’ single. Having been released a week ago, it’s still early days yet, but Mek Fi We is already shaping up to be a strong follow-up to his No ID hit last year.
Khxos — Runaway
Riding the afrobeat wave is St Elizabeth-born reggae-dancehall singer Khxos, with this groovy tune and music video directed by Yannick Reid (Protoje, Koffee) and shot at a beachside location in Malibu, California. Imploring his beloved to run away with him, the artist shows that he has the potential and the international sound that will take his music to the mainstream.
“‘Runaway’ can mean a lot of different things,” Khxos said in a release. “You can run away to a new town or city, on vacation, somewhere nice with friends — a new adventure, in pursuit of bigger dreams and happier moments. It could be you saying to someone, ‘Let’s explore the world together.’ That’s what this song is about. Reassurance. Comfort. Love. Being genuine about your intentions. Taking a chance.”
Jada Kingdom — Perfect Timing
And the timing is indeed perfect. Hot on the heels of record deal with Republic, the sultry singer is working hard to put the troubles of her recent past behind her. ‘Twinkle’ released the lyric video for this, her newest feel-good forbidden lovers single, this week and it racked up over 50,000 views in its first day.
D’yani ft. Jada Kingdom — Feelings Remix
Though the visuals were not as steamy and full of chemistry as some of us were anticipating them to be, we are still happy that the audibly compatible duo decided to drop a video for what is perhaps the hottest dancehall love song of the summer so far. Still number one on trending since its July 28 release, the Feelings Remix video showed us three things: easy, breezy music videos have a vibe; Jada Kingdom can seduce a coconut tree; and D’yani’s body is even sexier than his voice (amirite ladies?).
Deep Jahi — ManCruel
With efforts like Inseparable and Private Party in recent months, and now ManCruel, Deep Jahi is cleverly exploring different topics in the formula for finding his next hit. The sentiments of this song run in the same vein as other ‘betrayed friend’ hits this year such as Nation Boss’ Humans, Spice’s Friends and Teejay’s Trust.
Bellwetha — Lockyawd
Introducing himself to the world is YGF’s new act Bellwetha in his debut single. The song is crispy and playful, with the potential to become a playlist favourite. Clearly playing on his stage name’s likeness to Mayweather, the singer is seen throwing punches and training for his moment on the global stage.
Rytikal — One Day Good
The lyrical Rytical has our attention and he is not letting go of it. His latest effort, One Day Good, is yet another jewel in the King Inna War‘s crown. Since its release on Monday, the video has garnered over 1ook views on YouTube — a clear indication that the fans approve.
Projexx — Unda Pressure (feat. Toian)
It wouldn’t be a week in Dancehall without somet baby-making background music. If you like how Spice and Vybz Kartel had each other under water and fire, then you will like how Projexx has Toian Under Pressure.
Govana — Still
The king of toxic relationships, Govana, is back with another saga. In Still, the 4th Genna singer muses on the fact that he and his toxic ex-girlfriend still have a strong physical connection despite the fact that none of their friends or families approve. “Everyday we cuss and fight but at the end of the night still me and you,” he sings.
Zamunda & Skillibeng — Dweet From Now
The highly anticipated collaboration between Crocodile Teeth hitmaker Skillibeng and Zamunda is out, and it was worth the wait. Dweet From Now brings an up-tempo, live-in-the moment kind of vibe to your playlist that is hard to resist. The video, which features breathtaking visuals, is #12 on trending with almost 200k hits since its Friday premiere.
Bounty Killer — Electrified
While many dancehall artists are moving towards r&b and trap sounds with their music this year, the Killer has been tapping into his old-school sound more and more, and the fans are eating it right up. This undiluted hardcore track is potent and as hot as the midsummer day on which it was released. It doesn’t get much raunchier than this.
Shaneil Muir — Not Worth It
Muir is not interested in her ex anymore — he’s Not Worth It— and her female fans can relate. Still stable at #17 on trending since it dropped on July 28, this song is quickly becoming a fave.
RaniRastaciti — Why Lord
Another upcoming artist — RaniRastaciti — seems set to head out of the blocks this year, thanks to a catchy and relatable introspective track. Why Lord is the musical monologue of a man who is questioning why he is facing so many hardships at once.
JayBlem — My Eyes Only ft. Rytikal
He may not be competing in the Olympics just yet, but 18-year-old Kingston College star athlete and rising artist JayBlem is definitely striking gold this summer. In a visually and aurally exciting collab with Rytikal, the prodigy shows off his musical prowess while bragging about his skills in the bedroom.