Holding
On
, the latest song from Hezron, is a timely reminder of the songsmith and crooner that this Jamaican artist is.
The singer shared that the song reflects his outlook on life.
“
Holding On is about resilience and faith. It’s a reminder that no matter how heavy life gets we all have the strength to push through. The song encourages people not to give up, even when circumstances seem overwhelming,” Hezron explained. “I wanted it to serve as an anthem of hope for anyone going through struggles. It’s a message that brighter days are ahead if you just keep holding on.”
Hezron wrote the song as well as co-produced it with Tad Dawkins Junior. He also played acoustic guitar on the track.
Accompanying Hezron on
Holding On are Leroy Romans on bass guitar, synthesiser, keyboards, and flute. Rohan Dwyer is on programmed drums and guitar, with Limey Murray on backing vocals.
Holding On is the latest collaboration between Hezron and Tad’s International Record. The company also released his albums
Man On A Mission and
The Life I Live.
For
Rahim Bennett, football once ruled his world. These days it’s music.
Back at Meadowbrook High his days were a blur of training sessions, schoolwork, and the quiet hum of a passion he hadn’t fully embraced yet.
“Meadowbrook was pure energy, but I was a late bloomer on the music side. The passion was always there, but it took a back seat. Football gave me discipline, school sharpened my mind, and music was the heartbeat behind it all,” Bennett explained.
That heartbeat grew louder when he migrated to the United States on a student-athlete scholarship. Life overseas at the New Jersey Institute of Technology was anything but glamorous. However, the lessons he learnt on and off the field also echo in his artistry.
“Living in the States as a student-athlete toughened me up. The routine was strict — train, study, repeat. The roughest part of my life was during that time. But it taught me consistency and work ethic. Now in music, I apply the same focus. Studio time feels like practice, shows feel like match day,” Bennett shared.
“Teamwork reminds me that I need good producers, engineers, and a strong team. Resilience helps me push through when a song don’t connect. And pressure? Pressure makes me better. Running up on stage and running up to a penalty kick feel the same, you either deliver or fold,” he added.
Bennett shared that the turning point came when strangers began reaching out, sharing how his songs helped them, and since then his approach to music shifted from being a mere hobby.
Now he is on the cusp of something special.
Bennett first dropped the single
Fully Rich, but is pointing to his latest track,
Amazing.
He hopes the takeaway from this track will be the reminder of the beauty of life itself.
“Life is the most amazing blessing you can have, even in struggles. With all the mental health issues and suicides we are seeing among the youth, I want people to feel uplifted, to chase their dreams, and to remember that amazing things can happen when you stay resilient and true to yourself,” Bennett noted.
“The visuals showcase farm life in Jamaica, which is another hobby I hold dear. Plus my son, King Amir, made a special appearance. It’s raw, authentic, and just shares my love for my country and my downtime,” he said of the video currently in the making.
Still, Bennett admitted that carving out a lane in dancehall has by no means been easy.
“The biggest challenge is cutting through the noise. Dancehall full of talent, so I have to stay true to my story and not chase every trend. Standing firm in authenticity while still being fresh, that’s the tightrope,” he declared.
That said, Bennett described his style as a blend of grit and upliftment, but beneath the rhythms and lyrics lies a mission to inspire.
“It’s motivational and relatable. My deep voice can carry melody while staying rough. Think of it like a bridge between conscious vibes and modern dancehall energy. But I am always experimenting, so don’t be surprised if you hear me on an Amapiano or reggaeton beat,” he said.
“My story proves that you can chase more than one dream and still succeed. If I can show a youth that academics, sports, and music can co-exist, then I am doing my job,” Bennett ended.
—
When award-winning Nigerian producer, mixing engineer, and musician Sarz wanted to include some dancehall vibes into his début album Project Sarz at All Costs, he called on two entertainers, Skillibeng and Byron Messia.
Several of the tracks from the 12-song album have entered Billboard’s US Afrobeats Songs chart, with
Getting Paid featuring Skillibeng, Asake and Wizkid debuting at #5 and
BMF featuring Byron Messia and Fireboy DML entering at #38.
This is Byron Messia’s second entry on the chart. His previously peaked at #3 in 2023 with a remix of
Talibans featuring Burna Boy.
Getting Paid lands Skillibeng his fourth entry on this chart.
Shake it to the Max (Fly) remix by MOLIY, Silent Addy and Shenseea is perched at #1 for the past 22 weeks, while
Jump with Tyla and Gunna rose to #3 last year.
Slip N Slide with Wizkid and Shenseea charted at #19 in 2022.
Sarz’s album also features collaborations with Libianca, WurlD and Zeina.
Sugar Sweet by Mariah Carey, featuring Shenseea and Kehlani, makes gains on a few Billboard charts this week. It steps up from #26 to #23 on R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, while inching up from #19 to #17 on Hot R&B Songs. Over on Mainstream R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, the song remains at #18 for a second week.
Meanwhile, over on Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay,
Sugar Sweet backtracks from #32 to #36 in its 6th week.
Sean Paul’s
Ginger dips from #14 to #18, and
PBT by Travis Scott featuring Tyla and Vybz Kartel makes gains, moving from #18 to #15.
The 1995 album
Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze re-enters the Billboard Reggae Albums chart at #10. The set peaked at #1 just a little over 30 years ago.
Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers leads the pack for 299 non-consecutive weeks, while
Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy is firm at #2.
World on Fire by Stick Figure inches up to #3, while
Greatest Hits by UB40 rises to #4.
Sean Paul’s
Dutty Rock moves up to #5, while
Wisdom by Stick Figure improves from #8 to #6. The act’s S
et in Stone rises to #7, Damian Marley’s
Welcome to Jamrock is #8, and
Exodus by Bob Marley and the Wailers which peaked at #3 in 2022, re-enters at #9.
Moving now to regional charts, over on the New York Reggae chart,
A Woman’s Touch by Richie Stephens takes over the #1 spot, while
Spread Love by Singer Irie steps into the #2 spot.
In our Sight by Skip Marley is #11, while
Be Your Friend (remix) by Red Fox enters at #27. Also new on the chart at #28 is
I’ll by Your King by Akustix and
Grace Under Fire by Cherine Anderson steps in at #30.
A remake of
A House is Not a Home by Hopeton Lewis and Marcia Griffiths is the new #1, while
I’ll Make it with Your Love by The Bonner Brothers moves up from #9 to #7.
Love Story by Beres Hammond and Tanya Stephens bolts from #21 to #18.
Pressure by Gisto continues to lead the top of the Reggae Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart.
Fathers by Onique is the chart’s sole new entry at #9.
