Kenyan artiste Willy Paul has eyes on Shenseea

A collaboration between Nairobi-born recording artiste Willy Paul and Jamaican fusion dancehall songstress Samantha J was two and a half years in the making prior to its release over the summer.

The lead-up to the release of the song, titled Hold Yuh, had Willy Paul's primary audience, that is, the religious community, once again questioning the singer's objectives.

"I am a creative first. I can wake up today, decide to sing a love song, then wake up tomorrow with a praise-and-worship song in mind. My relationship with God has not changed, He is still the saviour of my life, so forever and ever I am going to be faithful to God; because of Him I am who I am today," the Kenyan said.

"Whatever I am doing, one thing is sure, [and it is] that I am doing good music," added the singer, who was primed to be one of Kenya's gospel music industry hitmakers since his debut in 2010.

However, Willy Paul, who owns Saldido International, said the release of the song has been met with many hurdles. "The song had so much issues surrounding it; there was disagreement between the two managements, so the song is only shared on YouTube," he said.

When The STAR reached out to Samantha J, she said she could not comment on the issues of the song's release. '

Willy Paul has since set his sights on working with another Jamaican dancehall princess. "I am really, really trying to get a hold of Shenseea, that's my focus right now."

"I am determined to work with Shenseea. I don't know how I will get a hold of her, but let's see," said Willy Paul, while conceding that he and his management team have not connected with the Wasabi singjay as yet.

Willy Paul, born Wilson Abubakar Radido, has managed to keep tongues wagging in his country, not only about his music seesawing between the gospel and secular genre, but in controversies surrounding his sexual conquests. He confesses that he has a thing for Jamaican women.

"I won't speak about my marital status here. As for Jamaican women and me, I think I am just into them. I don't know why, but there's something about Jamaican women ... Jesus ... that just makes me love them. As for Samantha J, she is one of the humblest persons I've worked with, she is like a sister to me."