In an article published by Billboard this week, dancehall sensation Teejay chronicles how he’s tapping into Afrobeats to help design Dancehall’s new wave. At last September’s Hip-Hop Forever showcase at Madison Square Garden, Jamaican superstar Sean Paul was a surprising addition to the lineup. Amidst the icons celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, another star emerged, not widely recognized by the audience initially – Teejay, a 29-year-old from Montego Bay, Jamaica. Invited by Funkmaster Flex, the UpTop Boss, adorned in some designer garbs, took the stage with his hit “Drift,” which had earlier dominated TikTok. The crowd, unfamiliar with his face, soon embraced the infectious rhythm, propelling “Drift” to a No. 47 debut on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
The UpTop Boss’s journey into music started at a young age, influenced by his musical family. Leaving school in seventh grade to pursue music full-time, he immersed himself in the vibrant dancehall culture of his community, idolizing artists like 2Pac and Jah Cure. Teejay’s perseverance paid off when he gained recognition and support from fellow Montegonian Tommy Lee, leading to his first live performance in 2010.
However, Teejay faced a significant setback in 2020 when two close friends were tragically killed. “Wallen’s and Lewis’ deaths derailed my momentum just as I was finding my footing as an artist,” he stated. The loss prompted him to reassess his musical direction, shifting away from overtly gangster themes to create more uplifting and universally appealing music.
Explaining his shift in musical direction, Teejay expressed, “Hardcore music has a barrier. It can’t be played in a Christian home or in certain homes. I decided that we’re not going to go violent; I want to do something happy.” To bring this vision to life, he initiated changes, starting with a reevaluation of his business affairs.
Teejay said, “Jamaican artists don’t even know what proper management is. As a Jamaican artist, we have to still go out there and look for a chauffeur ourselves and an interview, everything. Some people don’t even know that some people in Jamaica who say that they’re a manager are basically a booking agent.”
Under the guidance of Sharon Burke, a veteran in the Jamaican music industry, Teejay rebranded and embraced a new genre he coined as “Afro dancehall.“
Acknowledging the declining popularity of traditional Dancehall and reggae, the “Drift” hitmaker incorporated elements of Afrobeats into his music. “They’re saying now that Afrobeats is bigger than dancehall,” He exclaimed. The success of his 2022 release, “Drift,” highlighted this fusion, earning him recognition and collaboration with Afrobeats star Davido in a remix released in December 2023. His ability to adapt and experiment with genres demonstrates a new era for Dancehall, pushing its boundaries and maintaining its appeal on the global stage.
In a conversation with Shaggy, Teejay’s mentor and partner at Solid Agency, the importance of simplicity and effective communication in lyrics is emphasized. “[Teejay’s] incredibly talented. He’s a guy that is making music outside of the box and he also works extremely f–king hard,” Shaggy added. Shaggy’s influence on Teejay’s approach, combining Dancehall with global music trends, has proven successful, with “Drift” becoming a crossover hit.
As Teejay continues to break new ground, the future of Dancehall seems to lie in its evolution and willingness to explore diverse sounds. Shaggy encourages emerging artists to experiment and find innovative ways to redefine the genre. Teejay’s journey serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Dancehall, proving that the genre thrives when artists push its boundaries and embrace change.
