Abijah (left) and Tevin Campbell

Local singer and songwriter, Abijah is set to take his career to a higher level as he is about to launch his latest single, which is in collaboration with American singer, Tevin Campbell.

The collaborative effort, written by Abijah, titled Overcome, was recorded at the Above the Rest Entertainment Studio in Boston, Massachusetts.

"This is a different side to Abijah, I've been considering producing which I've tried before... but this really was a first, producing a track for an international artiste," the singer known for his rootsy, message-oriented compositions told Splash.

'So I made two rhythms," Abijah continued, "of which I sent copies to Tevin to hear and he loved them. Before that I wrote the song called Overcome and then we linked up, went into the studio and it happened," Abijah said.

ABIJAH... my focus is on production

This project, he said, has the approval of VP Records with whom he signed a three-album deal in 2002. Under that contract, he has delivered one album so far, his debut set, Revelation.

"I'm a VP artiste, so everything I do, I've to still get permission from VP. They are aware of this project, and the song is to be on my album (which is) coming out pretty soon. This will be my latest VP album which I'm trying to get ready for June," Abijah said.

"I may call it (the album) Overcome, but I have a few titles in my head, which I'm playing around with. The whole meaning of Abijah is about being positive and the majority of my music is about consciousness. I think it's appropriate to call it Overcome... the song is reggae all the way and it deals with today's struggles and encourages people to persevere."

The collaboration with Tevin Campbell came about as a result of a friend of Abijah from Boston, who is also a close friend of Campbel,l introducing the two artistes to each other.

Soul singer Tevin Campbell can be described as a product of the legendary producer, Quincy Jones. Among Campbell's many hits are Love You, Brown Eyed Girl and Hold Forever, to name a few.

Abijah, who just completed a four-week US college tour, said his first album, Revelation, was the number one reggae album on Chuck Foster's radio show for a number of weeks in California.

"So the album was very popular over there, becoming the number one reggae album in LA."

From his set Revelation, which is also popular in England, Rootsman went to number six on the charts in Italy and Where Is The Love made the charts in California. Abijah said the single Love Can Change The World, on which he collaborated with Nadine Sutherland, is quite popular abroad.

"The new album is mostly produced by myself and Premium Entertainment which is my company. It's two years old and the goal is to develop it into a company from which young entertainers can benefit.

"I'm now in the studio, trying to stay away from too many shows; my focus is on production. I've a new single out, called Nah Give Up and another one called Better Days, produced by Bobby 'Digital' Dixon and his son, Calibud.
Goofy, Beenie Man and Chuck Fender are on the same track.
If everything goes well (or according to plan), I should be doing some stuff soon with Sean Paul and India Arie," Abijah said.

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