South Africa’s NC Dread collaborates with Shatta Wale

Titled ‘We Gi Dem’, the song is released under Bashment Music SA.

‘We Gi Dem’ is not the first time the Cape Town-based NC Dread has worked with Shatta Wale. Both appeared on 2017's hard-hitting dancehall track ‘Baddest’. Since then "the relationship has grown from strength to strength from there,” NC Dread recently told Music In Africa.

“For this tune, I wanted to celebrate dancehall music as a genre,” he added. “I am passionate about dancehall. From the early 1990s to now I have been a fan of the music and it is up to us artists to grow and preserve the genre.”

Speaking about the state of reggae-dancehall today, NC Dread said: “There are many artists out there masquerading as reggae-dancehall artists but when you listen to the music, you can't relate. Some of it is outright Afrobeat, the others are hip hop and the rest I can’t even relate to.

“I appreciate that the sound of any genre evolves with time like everything else in this world, but what we hear now isn't dancehall, be it in its original or some evolution of it. Shatta Wale is a bona fide dancehall artist and a big proponent of the music thus it was befitting that we link up again.”

Last year, the South African act, who says his music “focuses on everyday life”, released the tracks ‘Medication’, ‘Steal My Woman’ and ‘On Fire’. They all found an audience, with ‘On Fire’ receiving international attention, having gotten on the playlist of New York radio station Hot 97. This year would see the artist go on tour.

"For years, it has been my desire to link up with fellow artists from around the continent and this has allowed me to tour lots of countries. My continental collabos include songs with Eye Judah, Mavluz, AK Songstress, Pepenazi, General Pype, Seyi Shay, Peter Miles, Wyre and others.”

Before the year ends, NC Dread’s sophomore record would be available for purchase. “Expect some fireworks!” he said.

Listen to ‘We Gi Dem’ below: