Konshens and Spice ‘Pay For It’ a refreshing dancehall ballad

The usual themes of money and man footing the bills just because are played out in Pay For It, but there is really nothing regular about this creatively packaged dancehall tune. Konshens, the artiste who “gyal pickiney” absolutely love to love, tickles their fancy yet again as he teams up with Queen of the Dancehall Spice for a song that sees them both going equally hard with passion, melody, lyrics, flow and ‘flava’.

Konshens rightly describes the Rvssian-produced single, Pay For It, as a dancehall ballad, but even more than that, it is as refreshing as drinking a cool jelly on a hot day. To use a much-repeated tome: It is the collab we never knew we wanted.

“When people see Konshens and Spice, dem nah expect a song like this. Me and Rvssian decided we needed to get one ah dem dancehall ballad deh. If you check all the dancehall songs that reach worldwide, [they] have a nice, melodic hook, and then you go into the verse and give them the authentic dancehall deejaying,” Konshens said.

It’s cute to hear the renowned gyallis committing to spend all his money on this one woman, who initially rebuffs him because girlfriend has her ‘owna’ cash. “Mi like whe yuh suggest let yuh money be my guest, but mi have mi owna money can’t count in excess.”

But he is undaunted, and the lyrics flow like “rylics” over a breezy, summery beat that keeps the listener swaying and mesmerised.

Added to the package is the accompanying Xtreme Arts-directed Pay For It music video, set in a coaster bus plying the Half-Way Tree to Downtown route. Konshens plays the quintessential ‘ducta – in uniform with a kerchief tied around his head – and, of course, he is so busy down in the ears of a hot girl passenger that he at times forgets that he is supposed to be watching the road for prospective passengers. It’s a wonder the driver didn’t call him out.

But when he does his job, he’s authentic. The video opens with an aerial shot of the Transport Centre in Half-Way Tree and, as the coaster cruises along, out jumps the ‘ducta with the usual chant, “Half-Way Tree, Cross Roads, Town … Town baby?”

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And then he eyes Miss Sophisticated, and the chemistry between them is instant and sets itself up for a memorable ride until she realises that she is on the wrong bus. Ah bwoy, another day in the life of a ‘ducta.

Pay For It is the second release from Konshens’ upcoming Ineffable Records album, titled Red Reign. The album marks Konshens’ first release through the label arm of the multi-faceted Oakland-based music company Ineffable Music Group.

Konshens has long been setting dancehall alight with hits such as Bruk Off Yuh Back and Gal a Bubble, and has transcended the genre with collaborations with overseas-based acts such as Nipsey Hussle, Cardi B, Doja Cat, The Chainsmokers and Rick Ross. Spice has successfully carved out her own ever-growing space and boldly lays claim to the title Queen of the Dancehall. She stars on VH1’s Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta, and her product endorsements, hit songs and 3.4 million Instagram followers are a sure indication of her strength and popularity. Rvssian has produced hits for Vybz Kartel, Bad Bunny, Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Juice WRLD, Cardi B, Post Malone and J Balvin.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com