Words by Jesse Serwer
Summer is now officially upon us and, to celebrate the moment, Colombian dancehall/bass ambassadors El Freaky Colectivo are sharing a massive collaboration with Jamaica’s Gyptian appropriately titled “Summer Now.” Completing the international triangle is legendary NYC hip-hop engineer Young Guru (of Jay-Z and Roc-a-Fella Records fame), who mixed the track after linking with El Freaky for parties in Bogotá and Medellin earlier this year.
With hazy, atmospheric synths and a strong vocal performance from Gyptian—who seems to have regained a bit of his “Hold Yuh” form here—”Summer Now” feels like the summer anthem we’ve been waiting on from Gyptian since he took island pop worldwide five years ago. Time will tell if it makes a similar dent on global pop, but we’re pulling for it. Also premiering right here is the accompanying video, starring the El Freaky guys and a bevy of Colombian beauties in a surreal tennis match scenario.
Watch and listen below, and look out for our upcoming article on the dancehall revolución currently happening in Colombia.