Beautiful times for Jermaine
A new version of gospel artiste Jermaine Edwards’s hit song, Beautiful Day, has entered the British pop chart (Official UK Singles chart).
Beautiful Day (Thank You For Sunshine), credited to Rushawn Ewears and Jermaine Edwards (it also features British rapper Prinz), debuted last Friday at number 63.
The new version was released by Robots+ Humans, a division of Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited, which Edwards signed with last month.
“The deal means that there is an open door to the machine of the world that Sony has that can help me keep control of my music with their directive,” Edwards told the Jamaica Observer in January.
Ewears — whose version of Beautiful Day went viral on social media — also signed a deal with Sony which ensures he earns royalties. He was 10 years old at the time he recorded the song and video while attending Top Hill Primary School in St Elizabeth.
Edwards, his mentor, has schooled Ewears on the business side of the music industry.
“A lot of people wonder how I feel knowing that a little boy is singing my song but what would be the biggest thing is to ensure that my intellectual property is [not] exploited so everyone can benefit, including Rushawn and his teacher that videoed him. We helped him set up his rights at the copyrights centre so he can set up his royalties. We’ve been doing everything in his interest,” Edwards said.
Jermaine Edwards is one of the leaders for the contemporary gospel movement in Jamaica. His hit songs, which have also been accepted in secular circles, include Peace In My Soul, Don’t Count Me Out, I Will Follow, and My Champion.