Throughout his career, Chaka Demus has worked with the top producers in reggae dancehall — Sly and Robbie, King Jammy, Bobby Digital, and Donovan Germain. Those collaborations prepared him when he began producing songs for his Bright Star Production.

Jealous, the latest song from that company, was released on May 15. It features Chaka Demus with Pliers, his long-time musical partner, and Tanto Metro and Devonte.

Co-produced by Chaka Demus and Jazzwad, the single is distributed by Tuff Gong International.

“I love the ability to take an idea from my head and put it into exactly what I envision it, without any creative compromise. That’s Chaka Demus,” said the veteran toaster.

For Jealous, he reached out to Tanto Metro and Devonte, best known for the 1997 hit single, Everyone Falls in Love.

Chaka Demus also recruited Brian and Tony Gold to provide harmonies for Jealous.

It is the lead single from One Family Umbrella, Chaka Demus’s album, which is scheduled to be released this year. He also produced most of that project, which will be his eighth solo album.

“Dis album is a direct reflection of Chaka Demus’s life an’ experiences over di years. My goal was to create a relatable, storytelling experience that connects directly with the listeners’ full emotions,” he said.

Chaka Demus is from Waterhouse in the Corporate Arera, where his career started on sound systems during the early 1980s. He made his recording debut in 1985 with Increase Your Knowledge for King Jammy.

His breakthrough came one year later alongside Admiral Bailey on One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer, also produced by King Jammy.

Chaka Demus’s career hit a high in the early 1990s when he and Pliers recorded the massive Tease Me album, produced by The Taxi Gang, led by Sly Dunbar. Six songs from that set that made the British national chart, including Murder She Wrote, Tease Me, She Don’t Let Nobody, and Twist And Shout.

— Howard Campbell