AS dancehall artiste Skillibeng continues to expand on an international scale, California-based producer Minto Play Da Riddim says his growth is also a win for Jamaica.

“His career taking off internationally and everyone loving him…it’s a good look for him and the culture. His work ethic and his drive are what make him so outstanding,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The 36-year-old Kingston College and Munro College past student released his newest single for the deejay on July 1, titled E. Their previous projects included Run and Sloppy.

The producer noted that he is enjoying the success of the latest collaboration.

“I’m pleased with how the song is progressing and I’m excited to see its exposure and [the] growth of the song,” he said.

According to the producer, he experimented with the rhythm for E and surprisingly, it turned out well.

“The song is full of vibes, makes you want to dance, and it’s really catchy. What makes the track different is that the beat is unique with a trap-hall, hip hop twist — and Skilli delivered,” he said.

Last year Skillibeng made headlines by being the first Jamaican act to chart a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in four years. A remix of his 2020 hit Crocodile Teeth, featuring rapper Nicki Minaj, debuted at 100 on the charts.

Prior to Skillibeng, the last Jamaican to appear on the chart was Sean Paul. He was featured on Enrique Iglesias’s SubemeLa Radio which peaked at 81, spending nine weeks on the chart in April 2017.

Minto Play Da Riddim is looking to nurture a long-lasting relationship with the artiste.

“I would most definitely ‘collab’ with Skilli again; he’s very hard-working and takes his work seriously and knows what sound he’s going for.”

Working in music production for over 10 years, Minto Play Da Riddim has been integrating his Jamaican roots into international sounds.

“My creative process is: I love making different styles of beats that grab you, and finding the proper artiste to match the beat — that’s how hits are created. My style of music is just using different sounds, putting them together and creating. I love being different and bringing something else to the game,” he shared.

The producer has been adding his touch to several productions over the years, releasing collaborations with artistes such as Chi Ching Ching, Munga Honorable, Charly Black and Jay-5Flow.

“What’s next is I have a couple of international stuff working on to be released soon,” the producer disclosed.