KINGSTON, Jamaica — When dancehall and reggae artistes LaaLee and Bugle talk about their love for the Afrobeat genre, there is an undeniable feeling of respect for the music many say was born from dancehall roots. Having landed a collaboration with Billboard-charting Nigerian artiste Heph B, the pair is now enjoying their own taste of the genre currently sweeping the global music scene.

“I have a tonne load of respect for African artistes. As we all know, Afrobeat a forward from dancehall so just knowing how they embrace our culture which is black culture same way, mi affi respect dem. Me love the happiness weh Afrobeat bring to music,” Bugle said. “Right now we can safely say the happiest music pan the face of the Earth right now is Afrobeat and we give thanks that we can be a part of that.”

Bugle, who is largely known for producing conscious songs, said it was a joy to try his hands at something different.

“Working on a song with LaaLee and Heph B was a great vibe. LaaLee bring happiness to music and knowing say Heph B deh so far outside a Jamaica and him can still reach out and say mi want Bugle on this track, it show say people a listen,” he said. “Heph B is bredren weh extremely talented, I mean the song was already a Billboard charting song. The fact that this talented artiste wanted to work with Bugle, it gimme the energy fi just jump on the track.”

LaaLee, who many music critics have described as a ‘gimmick artiste’, said the collaboration is proof that despite popular opinion, only he had the power to decide his faith in music.

“I feel happy about the collaboration with Heph B on such a huge track because it shows that nobody decides who you are or what you’re gonna be if it’s not you,” he said. “Heph B is a big Billboard charting Afrobeat artiste and that alone speaks volume for me and how far I’ve come as an artiste.”

The Leggo Di Bird artiste also shared that, like Bugle, he too has great respect for the Afrobeat genre and is hoping the feature is the beginning of a transition into the Afrobeat market.

“This is it for me, the start of a transition into Afrobeats and I’m happy with the reaction the track has been getting so far. It was trending on Twitter Nigeria and I’m loving that.”

“If you know me, you know Burna Boy is one of my favourite artistes, a genna. I have so much respect for Afrobeat artistes and I feel blessed to get to collaborate with one,” LaaLee said.

Big Boy track was created and arranged by Nigeria-born rapper, songwriter and producer, Steve Rawd. It landed in the number five position on the Billboard charts in July.