KINGSTON, Jamaica — It has become the norm for pop artistes from different genres to collaborate on what oftentimes become mega-hit songs.

For South Florida-based Jamaican singjay Honorebel, who has worked in dancehall, reggae and electronica, such a strategy is a winner keen on establishing a diverse following.

“It is important for any reggae/dancehall artiste to collaborate with artistes in a different genre because it increases your fan base, shows your versatility as an artiste and strengthens reggae music,” he explained.

Honorebel’s latest song, Seize the Night, is a collaboration with Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, a formidable figure in hip hop. It was recently released digitally by Zojak Distributors.

The duo previously teamed up on the song, Now You See Me, which made the charts in a number of countries.

That type of exposure, says Honorebel, has been invaluable.

“It helped me gain global recognition, build my brand and also gave me the opportunity to travel and perform at the Moscow MTV Music Awards, Isle of MTV in Malta with over 50,000 people in attendance and landed some major motion picture placements such as Piranha 3D and American Reunion (American Pie 3).”

Dancehall/reggae acts have had similar experience working with American pop stars. Sean Paul had a massive hit in Baby Boy, done with Beyonce.

Bounty Killer and Lady Saw recorded Hey Baby and Underneath it All, respectively, with No Doubt. Both songs made the Billboard pop chart.  

Singer Junior Reid also won a new generation of fans when he worked with rappers The Game and MIMS.

Honorebel, who first met Pitbull while they were budding artistes at rap impresario Luther ‘Luke’ Campbell’s Florida camp, is already on board for another collaboration.

His song with rapper FloRida is expected to be released this year.

Howard Campbell