Gospel recording artiste Dr Carlene Davis-Cowan is encouraging audiences globally to pay closer attention to God’s instructions with her latest single, Hushhh & Listen, scheduled for release today, Friday, November 13.

The track, produced by Davis-Cowan and her husband, Tommy Cowan, draws inspiration from a traditional African American spiritual and incorporates elements of reggae.

According to the entertainer, the song’s commanding lyrics, particularly the phrase “shut up and listen”, should not be mistaken for arrogance or disrespect, but rather understood within the context of biblical teachings.

“When I first heard it, I was reminded that so many times we go to God in prayer but don’t spend the time in quietness to hear from God what He is saying to us,” she told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.

Recorded at Trench Town Jamin and Judah Recording Studios, the song is rooted in a spiritual believed to have originated among enslaved African Americans in the southern United States before the American Civil War. Its exact composer and date of origin remain unknown, having been passed down through oral tradition.

Davis-Cowan said the inspiration behind the release is particularly relevant given the challenges currently affecting people worldwide, including wars, political instability, extreme weather conditions, and the rising cost of living.

“This song is based on instructions: Listen to God, hear what He is saying,” she said.

The gospel singer, whose career has been distinguished by spiritually uplifting and socially conscious recordings, also referenced the biblical passage 2 Chronicles 7:14, which calls on believers to humble themselves, pray and seek God’s guidance.

With the Christmas season approaching, Davis-Cowan is also preparing for several engagements through Glory Music.

The organisation will host a Christmas treat at Nightingale Baptist Church and the surrounding community in New Market, St Elizabeth, on Saturday, December 12.

An engagement at Church on the Rock is scheduled for December 20, with additional dates to be announced.

Hushhh & Listen will be distributed through VPAL Music and available on major digital streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, SoundCloud, Audiomack, Deezer, and Boomplay.