Kelly Shane, daughter of renowned Jamaican singer-songwriter Tanya Stephens, has released her debut single, a modern take on the soul classic “Ain’t That Loving You,” featuring dancehall icon Busy Signal.Â
The single is produced by Tad A. Dawkins Jnr and is available on all streaming platforms. The official video, directed by Thaddeus Deluxe Studio and filmed at various locations in Jamaica, shows Kelly and Busy Signal getting cosy at a rum bar while showcasing their chemistry on and off-screen.
Kelly explains the song’s significance: “for one, I grew up with my grandmother, and as the owner of the radio and the house, her favourite music was mostly played. Alton Ellis and the entire British-Jamaican music movement was a big part of the soundtrack of my life.” She adds that the song became more personal for her when she recorded it, as she saw someone hesitant to love again, and she felt like she was speaking her own words, trying to convince them to take a chance on her.
Regarding the collaboration with Busy Signal, Kelly says, “to be very honest, I didn’t think he would do it. This is my first song, and it felt like I was really asking him to take a chance on me.” noting that she was grateful for Busy Signal’s patience and kindness during the video shoot.
The original “Ain’t That Loving You” was recorded by soul singer Johnnie Taylor in 1967, but reggae versions by Jamaican artists like Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, and Beres Hammond have since become standards in the genre. Kelly cites Beres Hammond as a major influence, along with Joni Mitchell, whom she considers her biggest influence.
Kelly recently made her vocal debut on the ballad “So Damaged” from her mom Tanya Stephens’ acclaimed album Some Kinda Madness. She is now ready to share her original music with the world. She concludes.
