10Tik collaborates with New York producers

Dancehall artiste 10Tik is ready to explore a deeper side of music by tapping into a new reggae sound with the release of his single " See No One (Run Run Run)".

"Mi always deh pon a journey, yuh nuh. Dancehall teach mi fi talk mi truth, but sometime mi spirit push mi fi dig deeper. See No One comes from a place of reflection, 'bout di runnings a life, 'bout energy [and] about who really deh pon yuh side. It's more introspective, true, but still carry dat raw vibe mi fans dem expect," shared 10Tik.

However, he said the fundamental message of the song is a valuable lesson he hopes will impact fans.

"At di core, it's about knowing when fi move pon yuh own. Sometime yuh haffi run from bad energy, sometime yuh haffi run toward yuh purpose," he added.

The single was released last Friday and has already been racking up several positive comments online, with fans expressing their likeness towards 10Tik's "new, refreshing sound". Others have complimented him on his musical diversity while still maintaining a "positive" spin in his music, as they demanded more of his reggae side through the calls for a whole reggae album. The artiste had already made plans to deliver that and more.

"Mi versatile, no doubt, but dis a nuh jus' fi show off. Dis is a chapter weh mi ready fi explore more. Fans a go still hear di dancehall from mi, but dem a go get more a mi mind too," he said.

The single was composed by New York City production duo Something D'Lux, who used the same Casio MT-40 keyboard bass sound that was used to compose the legendary 'Sleng Teng' rhythm.

"Fi even touch a sound weh connect back to di roots like dat, it's an honour. Mi proud seh mi voice deh pon something wid dat kinda lineage," said 10Tik.

Eitan Noyze of Something D'Lux said in modernising this classic sound, "we knew from the jump it had to be more than just nostalgic".

"Building a beat around the Casio MT-40 is a nod to dancehall history, so we wanted to flip that DNA into something new, something raw and intricate, while leaving room for an artiste to put their stamp on," Noyze told THE STAR. "We reimagined it to speak to us now. The mission was to pull from that lineage but filter it through our own lens to link the past and present."

His musical partner, Zach Staggers, added that "it was about keeping the spirit of Sleng Teng alive and respecting sample culture.

"It's a headknocker with some real hip-hop sensibilities, a bridge between geography, culture and eras all at the same time. The track needed an artiste who could balance the rough with the soul and when 10Tik linked up, it clicked," Staggers said.

For 10Tik, partnering with the renowned, international beatmakers was just as organic as the song.

"From mi link wid dem, di energy natural. No ego, no stress, just music. Dem man deh full a ideas, an' mi rate how dem respect di culture," he said.

Staggers expressed delight at the artiste's ability to transition from a hardcore deejay to a soul searching lyricist.

"When he first started singing I was surprised as I had only heard him in a dancehall context ahead of that. But man can sing with soul, and his lyrics feel really personal and deep on this one," said Staggers, Noyze agreeing that "10Tik got range." The producers added that recording inside the legendary Tuff Gong Studios also made the session an "inspirational" one.

Something D'Lux have also worked with Jamaican acts such as Ras-I, Blvk H3ro, Yaksta and Yellowman. They said they're open to working with more local artistes who are fearless about breaking rules and bending genres.