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( l - r ) Danielle, aka DI, Shabba Ranks - File
Deejay DI has secured a 'big man' collaboration with veteran deejay Shabba Ranks. For DI, also known as Danielle, working with Shabba is a dream come true.
The song, titled Big Man, was produced by the legendary 'riddim twins' Sly & Robbie and released yesterday. DI, in an interview with The STAR, said she was excited about the collaboration and hopes it will go far. She said, "Shabba Ranks is an artiste that was always my dream to work with. We were on the same show 'Best of the Best' in Miami in May. The day before the show we were at a radio station for some promotion and I took the bull by the horn and told him it was a dream to do a song with him."
According to DI, she kept the link after the show and a month ago Sly & Robbie sent her part of the song to Shabba, who sent back his part and Big Man was created. The song is on a mellow African-influenced beat as the two deejays interact well bringing a sexual vibe as Shabba deejays, "woman if yuh get Shabba Ranks yuh don't need nuh other." DI responds to Shabba's challenge in the song deejaying, "big man mi waan mi call di Ranking/fi deal wid me proppa, put on di spanking/nuh waan no likkle boy weh inna di wrong ting."
Shabba is one of the most popular dancehall artistes of his generation and one of the first Jamaican deejays to gain worldwide recognition. In the late 90s, however, he disappeared from the mainstream music scene. Shabba reappeared in the local limelight since the release of his song None A Dem on producer Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor's 'Peppa' rhythm. Since then, the artiste has been doing popular reggae-based shows in the United States and returned to Japan after an almost 20 year absence for 'Mighty Crown's 20th Anniversary.'
For DI, having a song with Shabba will hopefully pivot her career to new heights. She said, "When I first heard the song with his part, I was like, 'Oh my God, is this really my song?', I'm proud of it. Di ting tun up right now. God led me to Shabba and he's hot like fire right now, after all none a dem nuh bad like di Ranking." DI pointed out that Shabba has long had a good chemistry on record with female artistes pointing to his hits Mr Loverman, featuring Deborah Glasgow and Twice My Age,featuring Crystal.
DI has been working closely with Sly & Robbie for the last two years. After a brief break from music, the deejay returned this year with a popular collaboration with Cherine Anderson called Rebel. She is currently working on releasing more singles and an album set for release early next year.
