Billboard producer Kemar McGregor, who produced the recent Beenie Man-Etana collaboration – Guide Over Us – says the song is a real-life story of “pain and truth” wrapped in a prayerful anthem from three musical giants who have suffered from the hands of industry players.
In an exclusive interview, the producer said it was greatness why this song came about.
“For me as a producer, I’ve done so much in reggae, and I’ve never got my glory from Jamaica. They’ve never showed me respect for what I’ve done and it’s the same thing I’ve seen with Etana – they haven’t given her, her flowers. Beenie has been rocking this for us for so long, entertaining all of us as one of our greats, but to see they just want to tear them down and forget the good work that he has put in, none of us can ever erase,” the producer shared.
“It’s just what I, Etana and Beenie are going through, that bring forth this song. So, it’s pain. Yeah, man, this is pain,” he added. McGregor said reggae has been put on the ‘back burner’ for years, as people are no longer gravitating to positive music.
“If the songs are not derogatory or talking about the human parts or whatever, nobody would want to really give it any attention. So, for people to gravitate to this song in 24 hours, [it shows that] a lot of people can actually relate to it,” he said.
The single, which was released on Tuesday, showcases Beenie Man and Etana glamorously flaunting a flashy lifestyle – from the jets and luxurious cars to the club – while spitting fiery, raw emotions and requesting more protection and blessing from a higher power. However, though filled with several biblical teachings and comparisons, some critics have ripped the ‘messengers’ and the song to pieces over Etana’s use of a popular Jamaican curse phrase – bumbo***** – in a line.
“We’re human and there are times when we get frustrated, and we have to say those words because they release stress and pain. Etana is not the first one to use a curse word into a song,” said McGregor, noting a Peter Tosh classic with the curse word as its title. McGregor noted that the term is a part of Jamaica’s culture, and for Etana to creatively use it in such a space was quite fitting, despite supporters saying, “it threw off the song”.
“It’s coming from a place of hurt when our own neglect us, neglect our greatness and don’t want to show us the respect that we deserve for the work that we put in … it deep man … and we’re just being real and authentic,” he shared. McGregor opined that people are paying so much attention to that one phrase because “they can’t find nothing else negative to say about the song”.
He further highlighted that the high-profile lifestyle depicted in the video also came under heavy scrutiny, but that concept was deliberate and suits the message conveyed.
“These are two successful artistes and producer that are from the ghetto [and] we’re giving thanks and praise to God for our success, showcasing our success, and we’re saying, ‘God guide over us and protect us because if it wasn’t for You, none of this wouldn’t be possible’. [So], we cannot show zinc fence and board house; that’s not success,” he chuckled.
The renowned producer said this partnership was designed by fate and revealed to him in a dream.
“Is like the voice said to me, ‘Call Etana now and tell her this’ [and] I called her at 3 a.m. and said ‘I just got a dream and these are the words a voice [commanded] me to tell you, guide over us, even when the hills are high and the valleys are low, unto you, I pray’… and she said to me, ‘That’s a song,'” McGregor recalled. He said immediately after returning from her Europe tour, Etana headed straight to the studio. While recording the song, Beenie Man, who was on the other side of the studio, was touched by Etana saying ‘ Guide over us.’ He walked in the studio and said, “You’re talking about me.”
“He walked in the record booth and in less than two minutes, without a mistake … he said exactly what he felt … it’s the first anyone will hear Moses sound so emotional [and] very passionate. And I said to him, ‘This is a hit record,'” McGregor reminisced with a laugh.
Despite the harsh criticisms, McGregor said the love and appreciation have been “great” otherwise. He expressed hope that ‘Guide Over Us’ will give Etana and Beenie Man that courage to push back and fight for what they have worked for, while reminding industry players and supporters] that they deserve their flowers.