Shaka Pow drops king of dancehall song

Shaka Pow is weighing in on debate over who truly deserves the title of Dancehall King, but with lyrics, not sides.

The artiste known as the Reggae Doc has dropped a thought-provoking new track titled Kings, along with a visually rich music video. The release comes amid heated discussions about whether Beenie Man still holds the crown or if Vybz Kartel has officially taken over the throne.

Rather than join the tug-of-war, Shaka Pow offers a wider lens. "'Kingship is a biblical thing,'" he declares in Kings, calling attention to dancehall's deep roots and the legacy of pioneers like King Yellowman and legendary producer King Jammy.

"The idea for the song hit me while I was heading to King Jammy's studio," Shaka Pow shared. "As I passed Bay Farm Road, I thought--how can people talk about kings and not mention King Jammy and King Tubby? The lyrics just flowed from there."

Produced by Baby G--King Jammy's son and a hitmaker in his own right, Kings blends history and homage with Shaka Pow's signature energy.

"Baby G is a genius," Shaka Pow said. "He even suggested some of the names we included. Of course, we couldn't name every king, but we made sure to pay respect."

Baby G described the song as "one of Shaka Pow's best works yet".

"It's timely, authentic, and people are loving it."

But for Shaka Pow, it's not just about the music. He believes the genre is entering a fresh golden era.

"Dancehall is on the brink of another golden era," he said. "Many artistes are getting back their visas and are ready to reclaim their space globally. I just wanted to remind everyone that dancehall has had many kings, and there's room for more."

The accompanying music video pays tribute to icons across the spectrum--from the late, great dancer Bogle (Mr Wacky) to a wave of dynamic female dancers lighting up the screen. And there is more to come--Shaka Pow revealed he's already working on a follow-up track that will celebrate the queens of dancehall.

"Dancehall belongs on every stage in the world," he said. "We are trendsetters. And it's our responsibility to keep that energy alive and honour the legacy of all our kings and queens."