Invest in house
Grammy-nominated house music songwriter/producer Rodney Hill believes Jamaican artistes who tap into that genre will be exposed to mainstream markets.
The New York-based Hill, who is Jamaican, made this observation in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.
“It’s always a good thing for the artistes to tap into other genres that exposes them worldwide, especially for Jamaican artistes to be known in such spaces. Jamaicans do have a vibe and they add more flavour to a song,” he said.
In June, Scottish house music producer/DJ/remixer Calvin Harris shared an album trailer on Twitter which revealed the names of artistes who will be featured on his forthcoming album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2.
Due on August 5, the set has guest appearances from Shenseea, British rapper Stefflon Don and singer Jorja Smith both of whom have Jamaican parents; and rapper Busta Rhymes who also has Jamaican heritage. Other collaborators on ‘Funk Wav’ include Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Chloe, 21 Savage, Latto, Swae Lee, Dua Lipa and Halsey.
Hill, who was born in St Andrew, has made a name for himself in house music circles, working on several projects for French DJ/Producer/Remixer Bob Sinclar, Boddhi Satva, DJ Buddha and Spankers.
Hill also worked on Sinclar’s album Made in Jamaica which was recorded at Anchor Recording Studio in Kingston. It earned a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album in 2011.
His recent projects include Morning in Gideon (remix) by Sizzla, Cezar and Jerry Wonda, I’m Still in Love by Bob Sinclar x Stadiumx, and the track You Come Knocking by Boddhi Satva featuring Indira Evans.
He is credited on several number one hit songs on Billboard’s Dance Music Club Play Chart including Sound of Freedom by Gary “Nesta” Pine and Dollarman, World Hold On by Steve Edwards, Rock This Party by Dollarman, Love Generation by Gary Nesta Pine, and Feel The Vibe by American gospel singer Dawn Tillman. Hill also worked on Mr Policeman by Dutch singer Eva Simmons, a gold-certified single which features Konshens.
Harris, whose real name is Adam Wiles, rose to fame in 2012 with his third studio album, 18 Months, which topped the UK Albums Chart. Eight of its singles made the UK Top 40 Chart.
Harris has five Grammy nominations (with one win) and 18 Brit Award nominations (he won twice). His solo hits include Summer and Feel So Close.
Among the hits he has produced are Blame by John Newman, I Need Your Love by Ellie Goulding, We Found Love and This is What You Came For by Rihanna, Sweet Nothing by Florence Welsh, One Kiss by Dua Lipa, and Outside by Ellie Goulding.