As he pondered a collaborator for his latest song Anytime, Don Yute decided to recruit a new face to share the mic with him. That spot went to Styleon, an American with Bahamian roots.

Anytime, produced by the veteran toaster’s Golden Child Productions, was released in November.

Because he got his break with an established artiste 30 years ago, Don Yute is keen to work with emerging acts.

“Styleon is a new female vocalist to the dancehall audience. I like her sound and I like working with fresh talent,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Working with aspiring talent in dancehall usually calls for recording songs on hip beats which the uptempo Anytime is. That was the case with Loving Excess, a song Don Yute did with Wayne Wonder in 1994 on the massive Pepperseed rhythm.

That track, produced by Dave Kelly, announced his arrival on the big stage.

While Loving Excess remains his best known hit, he scoffs at being trapped in a time warp.

“It’s important to stay current, which I am always current. I also like being innovative, and make sure that the sounds I come out with it’s not like everybody else. Right now, a lot of people sound alike,” he noted.

Born Jason Williams, Don Yute was raised in middle-class St Andrew.

His rise on the Pepperseed opened doors for artistes from similar backgrounds, including close friend Sean Paul and producer Jeremy Harding.

He never achieved the international acclaim of Sean Paul, but has recorded songs for dancehall’s top producers and was signed to Capitol Records.

Another thing both artistes share is endurance.

“I will never stop making music; music is my gift, my form of expression. Doing it for the fans, whether young or old, gives them this vibe and a memory that is intriguing, so I can’t stop making music,” said Don Yute.