As a result of a near-death experience, Jay Shephard, one of the most celebrated reggae-dancehall artists from Nassau, Bahamas, is now singing a different tune (pun intended). On the recently released Natural Vibes Riddim, the sing-jay contributed Higher, an absolutely beautiful lovers-rock record that is arguably one of the strongest songs on the compilation.
Because Higher stands in stark contrast to the previously released, sexually explicit, gunman tunes in Shephard‘s catalogue, he was asked about the change, and responded as follows:
“I’m a survivor of a gunshot to the face and as a result of it Yah/Jah I started to seek the Most High and in return he blessed me with the voice you are hearing now. Before the headshot I couldn’t sing and didn’t have that voice. I was visited by the Holy Spirit one night in my room and got blessed with the voice in one night and Jay Shephard was born.”
Regarding Higher, he said: “the song Higher was inspired by the woman I’m with now. She inspires me to take her Higher and to be the highest version of myself. She is definitely a blessing to me. My hope is that listeners hear a different side of Jay Shephard & that they themselves take the person they are with Higher. Emotionally, Spiritually & Mentally.”
The Natural Vibes Riddim, which also features Busy Signal, Jah Cure, Turbulence, Pressure Busspipe, Powerman, Lutan Fyah, Kurtiouss, Rufftop Rock I, and Ginjah, is now available on all streaming platforms. It comes to us courtesy of Reggae Vibes Music.
