Shane O positive for 2023
New album ‘Distress of Mine’ on the way
Published:Thursday | July 27, 2023 | 12:10 AMShanel Lemmie/Staff Reporter
Continuing the winning streak and near meteoric re-emergence into the limelight, dancehall deejay Shane O says he’s claiming an abundant year.
The Dark Room artiste, who recently was among genre heavyweights to grace the Reggae Sumfest stage on Friday, told The Gleaner that while he continues to reap the rewards of his current success, he is excited for his upcoming album, Distress of Mine.
While keeping the release date close to his chest, he said the public can expect more songs with strong messages. The track list includes Break Down and Soon Alright.
He says this steadfast dedication to wholesome music has been the key factor in his musical longevity.
“It nuh normal fi do that enuh, cause you done know nuff artiste from dem time deh after them break through you nuh really see them. We still a put in the work same way, great meditations same way, same meds, good topics, good inspiration, good music, good melody.”
SONGS WITH SUBSTANCE
He continued, “You have to do song with substance, that a number one. The one-week song dem nice sometime, excitement, but you have to have song weh last long.”
He drew on his hit song 2005 Lightning Flash to illustrate the longevity of the music with a message. “Look how long me sing that!’ You affi just do good song, yuh zimme.”
Collaborating with fellow dancehall heavyweight Chronic Law, the artiste, whose given name is Roshain McDonald, says he has hopes to expand his circle of collaborators.
“Mi a get round two like collaboration cause you know we nah pressure nobody fi do nuh collab. You know me always a do it by myself cause some man kind of move suh me just leave them cause me know me can write and do mi thing by miself,” he explained.
Among the themes Shane O will discuss on his album is his recent reconnection with his mother.
“It’s been a while. Thirteen years of age, a dem time deh she send me a road, yuh zeet.”
Since the two reunited, he says they have been building a bond that is unlike any other, using her as his motivation for his Sumfest performance.
“While I was on my way to Reggae Sumfest and mom just a pop up inah mi head and a say ‘a better you mash up di place enuh boy’, and mi just a talk to myself and a say ‘alright mommy, mi a go dweet fi you’.”