WHAT makes a hit? Is it the lyrics, the artiste, the hype at the time? Is it “something special” about the voice or rhythm? The TEENage Hitlist pinpoints the hits and the misses as soon as we hear both local and international releases.

Sycamore Tree – Tami Chynn Ft Sean Paul

Jamaican dancehall-reggae-pop songstress Tami Chynn has released her latest single Sycamore Tree, featuring international dancehall superstar Sean Paul.

Sycamore Tree is easily Tami Chynn’s most internationally marketable single since Frozen, and is produced by Washroom Entertainment.

The single is a tale about lovers’ desire to meet at the “Sycamore Tree,” a term popularised by Lady Saw’s dancehall favourite of the 1990s that bears the same title.

Chynn provides a light vocal delivery, perfect for songs of a pop structure, and was able to seamlessly transition to toasting in Jamaican Creole in specific segments of the track, giving the song an authentic edge as a reggae-pop single that suits both musical genres being executed.

Washroom Entertainment must be commended for providing an instrumentation that was able to comfortably accommodate both crooning from Chynn, and dancehall toasting from Sean Paul as well.

TEENage Hitlist believes that Sycamore Tree has the potential to crossover internationally if given the adequate marketing and promotional approach needed for this to happen.

— Dominic Bell