Dancehall sensation “Bad Gyal Ce’Cile” has ventured into a new international collaboration.
The acclaimed artist recently unveiled a partnership with emerging American singer-songwriter Nate Winter from Maine.
Recognising the need for a Jamaican touch in their joint venture, the producers of Nate’s hit track Happy Cup sought to infuse a reggae element to amplify its global appeal.
Winter highlighted the symbolism of the “Happy Cup” embracing positivity. He explained: “It’s an analogy about filling yourself with positive things. I was at a point when I only wanted to seek out things that would fill my happy cup.”
Winter collaborated with the experienced team of multi-platinum-selling DJ/producer Wayne “Native Wayne” Jobson and Brian Jobson for the track, known for their work with renowned artistes No Doubt for the 2001 mega hit Hey Baby, with Bounty Killer.
“We recorded the song at Inner Circle with the Third World band and other exceptional musicians, and they believed Ce’Cile would be a fantastic addition to that,” said Winter.
Expressing her honour to be part of the collaboration, Ce’Cile hopes it sparks more significant opportunities. She stated: “It’s something I could see as a trend. Your happy cup is you, what’s in your happy cup, who’s filling your cup, and who are you going to allow in that sacred, happy place.”
Winter conveyed that Jobson aimed to bridge the gap between California fusion reggae and Jamaican reggae.
Ce’Cile’s introduction to music came through a friend of her late father, Michael “Ibo” Cooper from the reggae band Third World, who also contributed to creating the song Beat of Her Heart.
No stranger to successful collaborations, Ce’Cile achieved her breakthrough with the 2001 hit Can You Do the Work alongside Sean Paul. The track featured on Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock album which sold over two million copies in the US as well as earned a Grammy.
Scheduled for release on March 8 across all platforms, the song Happy Cup radiates an upbeat vibe reminiscent of Pharrell’s Happy.
Winter, however, revealed that the music video would première on his TikTok account two weeks prior as a prelude to the official release.
Acknowledging Bob Marley as the first musician he listened to when learning to play the guitar at 13, Winter feels honoured that the collaboration will be introduced during the 79th celebration of Bob Marley’s One Love concert, scheduled to broadcast live on Tuff Gong radio (Channel 19 SiriusXM) on February 7, commemorating Bob Marley’s birthday.