Dancehall veterans Carl Meeks and Owen Knibbs collaborate for the first time on Listen dis ya I Ya, a song released in late October by OK Music and Meeks Every Thing Music.

The singers co-produced the mid-tempo track which has a ‘rude bwoy’ feel synonymous with the sound system culture of the 1980s when they emerged.

While they have been recording for decades, Meeks said he and Knibbs first met this year. They were aware of each other’s work and developed a quick chemistry.

“The vibes and flow of the song is a digital hardcore dancehall tune,” he told Observer Online.

Both artistes thrived during the era of digital rhythms. Kingston-born Meeks is best known for songs like Weh dem Fah and Youthman, which were produced by Hugh “Redman” James.

Knibbs hails from St James, but also lived in Kingston where he performed on sound systems in the Arnett Gardens area. His signature song is Juggler, produced by Leon Virgo and released in 1987.

Meeks, who lives in South Carolina, believes there is something special about dancehall singers from the 1980s. That era produced artistes like Barrington Levy, Tenor Saw, Yami Bolo and Wayne Smith.

“People love the slang and singjay style. Also the melodies,” he said.

Knibbs, a Connecticut resident, has recorded one album to date. That set, If You Don’t Have Love, came out in 2022.

Meeks has released several albums for producers in the United States and Europe. Two of them, Classeeks and Legendary, were released in 2025.

Howard Campbell