Reggae/Dancehall fresh picks of the month: Shenseea, Lu City, Jaz Elise, Masicka and more

We're rolling through the Carnival calendar and the music just keeps on coming.

April was a typically busy month for the Caribbean music world, with notable acts, album announcements and historic achievements cutting through the noise. Sean Paulwho recently sat together Advertising sign for a wide-ranging interview ahead of his Greatest tour, won his first Latin American Music Award, triumphing in the crossover collaboration of the year category for Fed “Niña Bonita” collaboration.

“I'm always learning from my collaborations, man,” the “Temperature” singer said. Advertising sign. “There's never a time when I'm not learning… I learn something every time and I take it with me, so it helps my singing.”

Shenseea, who collaborated with Paul on her 2022 debut LP, was announced her second studio album next on Tuesday (April 30). Titled It's never late herethe album is released on May 24 and features collaborations with Coi Leray, Anita and Wizkid. “Hit & Run” (featuring Masicka & Di Genius) is the set's lead single.

In addition, a couple of performances made big waves. Opened by Jamaican dance artist Pamputtae Nicki MinajPink Friday 2 World tour in Toronto, Calif., on Tuesday. “First and foremost I want to thank the most high God,” he said He wrote in an Instagram post to celebrate her performance (May 1). “Big up [Nicki Minaj] because she allowed me to open her second show in Toronto.”

all over the world, Skeng returned to Guyana to headline the Real All Black concert, marking his first live appearance in the country in two years. In 2022, Home Secretary Robeson Benn declared that Skeng and a group of dance artists were forbidden from the country due to their behavior and lyrical content that promotes violence. The emcee delivered a high-octane set that included “Likkle Miss,” which Minaj remixed in 2022 for her. Queen Radio: Volume 1 greatest hits collection.

Of course, Advertising signOur monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column won't cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — linked below — will expand on the 10 songs highlighted. So, without further ado:

Freshest Find: Jaz Elise, “Gunman”

In this deliciously dramatic blend of R&B and reggae, Jaz Elise begs her rude lover to leave his life of reckless abandon behind and settle down with her. It's a story that's been told countless times before, but Jaz's emotional skills infuse 'Gunman' with nuance and sparkle. When he sings, “Me nuh wah fi bury you early/ Nuh wah yuh fi live a life a crime/ So baby if you love me/ Me beg yuh fi leave it all behind,” you can hear the last moment of desperation it drips from every syllable. Of course, the drama really ramps up in the song's final minute, with a swirling orchestra of backing vocals, impassioned ad-libs and majestic strings driving the song home.

Etana, “Thank you”

For her rendition of the Engraph Riddim, Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter Etana flexes the full extent of her vocal range over raucous guitars that use just the slightest bit of swing. “I raise my hands to the man where my health comes from, yeah/ And every day I give thanks for the sun that rises, yeah,” she wails as she somersaults through dizzying riffs as easily as she sinks into her sultry depths. register. A laid-back praise and worship song that doubles as a vocal showcase, “Thankful” is a winner.

Lu City, “Sexy Love”

The duo of St. Lucian Lu City have a catalog that spans the dancehall, reggae and electronic music scenes and their latest LP — I miss youthe official sequel until 2022 Clarity — offers more than this heady amalgam. On “Sexy Love,” which feels like a dance cousin to Ne-Yo's song of the same name, the duo marries their respective AutoTune vocals with a relatively sparse soundscape based on moody synths and a healthy dose of Afrobeats percussion. “Sexy Love”, like everything I miss youit is a true testament to how the myriad species of the African diaspora all lead back to each other.

Anika Berry feat. Lil Jelo, “Safe”

Soca always gets the body moving and “Safe,” a new collaboration from Anika Berry and Lil Jelo, is no different. Here, their joy does not stem from the Road Procession or the general carnival mood. They find their joy in each other and their monogamous love. Their vocal chemistry is strong, with Anika's vibrato anchoring her “You're safe with me / Youn in good hands, you in proper hands” chorus. Their call-and-response structure also helps play out their complementary tones, staying true to the anthemic nature of power soca.

Subatomic Sound System, Mykal Rose & Hollie Cook, “Get High”

For the first taste of their upcoming collaborative album, Subatomic Sound System, Mykal Rose and Hollie Cook teamed up to deliver a new anthem 4/20. Although the swaggering bass signals a more progressive sound, classic reggae production—including ominous conga percussion from Larry McDonald and sultry brass from Troy Simms—is ultimately the name of the game on “Get High.” Most striking is the track's mixing, the way Hollie's superior harmonies are layered to evoke the ever-unfolding clouds of weed smoke. Mary Jane lovers, your time is now.

Mr. Vegas, “Dancing Grunge”

In this sweet ode to the eternal life of the ballroom, Mr. Vegas pays homage to both the natural and creative spaces that make up sound and culture. Its flow is exciting and the collapse at the end is fun, if not a little persistent. However, what's interesting about “Dancing Grung” isn't how easy it is to start taking a wine to – Mr. Vegas has abundance of them — is how it subtly subverts the concept of “sovereign power.” Instead of crowning himself king, he sets himself up as Lord of the Vibes in “Dancing Grung.” “Dancehall will never die,” he proclaims at the start of the song, and with a deejay as infectious as him at the helm, he's absolutely right.

Marcia Griffiths, “Looking Up”

Reggae legend Marcia Griffiths still has it. With “Looking Up,” the former I-Threes member delivers a slice of hallowed reggae. At 74, not only does her voice still sound like it's in top shape, but she also remains a talented and intelligent performer. Between her flawless vocals and her introspective delivery, her life story clearly informs the last line she sings. Her conviction is the ultimate anchor of the song. When she sings, “It's the only life worth living” with that slight tinge of darkness before the light comes in through her exclamation “I'm looking up!” jokes — that's magic.

Shenseea, “Neva Neva”

After delighting dancehall fans with Di Genius and the Masicka-assisted “Hit & Run” earlier this year, Shenseea ushers in a more pop sound with “Neva Neva,” the new single from her upcoming single. It's never late here LP. The song oscillates between simple pop and dancehall with more finesse than anything else Alpha, Shensea's debut album. She stays deep in her dancehall beat and attitude during the verses, but the danceable chorus pushes her into a space that's essential for US Top 40 radio — and it sounds great. Additionally, “Neva Neva” – with its rumination on the endlessness of a good relationship – offers a clever contrast to the energy of “Hit & Run”.

Chippa Don, “Clubscout”

From the tiny background synths to the dizzying flow switches, Chippa Don struts his chops as both emcee and sonic world builder on “Clubscout.” “Clubscout” is inherently awful. “Gwan f–k around/ The whole haffi move/ Di glock, di clip long / But di K me a use,” he spits. It's Chippa's delivery, however, that makes this song stick. It's playful, but there's some bite and growl in his voice as he subtly reiterates that he's calling out his opponents because knows can handle them.

Masicka, “Forever”

Opening with brooding guitar strums, “Forever” is a stunning ballad from Masicka, who released his latest album, Generation of Kings, last year (December 1, 2023). “Forever brave, forever strong / Forever me, that's me,” she croons, crafting a ballad that makes the evergreen question of authenticity introspective while also showcasing another side of Masicka's expansive artistic profile. There's a reason Sean Paul named him the current leader of dancehall.