Rising producer Dretegs has teamed with Sizzla for ‘So In Love’, a yearning ballad that was released on June 20 by his Dretegs Music Jams label. The song is the first single from recording sessions that took place early this year.
Although it was the first time the two were working together, Dretegs said the process was smooth, with Sizzla writing all the songs. He described the tracks as the singjay’s most organic work in some time, and that “it marks a return to his roots, both musically and spiritually.” According to Dretegs, “This record was built for real fans — the ones who miss that original Kalonji energy. We brought it back full circle.”
The sessions took place at Dretegs’ studio in The Bronx where he has conducted similar projects with artists based in New York and from Jamaica. Some of those acts are members of the much-touted roots revival in Jamaica, such as Jesse Royal and Dre Island.
Born Andre Hawthorne in Kingston, the 39-year-old producer got his start in music playing keyboards in his church band. In recent years, Dretegs’ stocks have risen considerably; he has also worked with Etana, Kranium, Dexta Daps, Chi Ching Ching and D Major.
While collaborating with Sizzla is significant, contributing to Jesse Royal’s Grammy-nominated ‘Royal’ is pride of place for Dretegs, who described that 2021 nod as “a major milestone.”
