Jay-A collaborates with Mavado and Dexta Daps

On the weekend, social media lit up with the visuals for the single Pain, which features newcomer Jay-A alongside veterans Mavado and Dexta Daps.

The video, which was directed by Deus Beni, was released on Friday and up to Saturday night, ranked number seven on local YouTube Trending, with more than 175,000 views.

Jay-A is excited about the reception to the collaboration, which he sees as a breakthrough with his musical brothers.

"The song is just about real life. I grew up poor and it was rough; and if you're from the ghetto, you can relate to this song," said Jay-A.

Pain is a co-production between Sponge Music and Mansions Records.

"What I enjoyed most about this song is that I got to do my first major hit with two of my real friends, more like brothers, and they are also two of my favourite artistes inna real life, so it's a joy," Jay-A disclosed.

He said that he recorded the single with Sponge Music, and it is scheduled to be released soon.

"Mavado took me on the road to a show in Barbados, and while I was there I was playing the song for Jahshii, who was also there. And Mavado heard it and said, 'This bad bad, I'm gonna send this a road'. After we went back to Florida, we went in the studio, where he did the verse," Jay-A explained.

"Dexta is a like a brother to me, so Gully Gad (Mavado) suggested he should be on the song while we were in the studio. And the next morning Dexta came to see me, and that's when he heard the demo with me and Mavado. And I said, 'Bro, you should be on the song', and he didn't hesitate, not even for a second. He was like, 'This is your big break and I want this for you bro'."

A career in music was inevitable for Jay-A. His father, Peter St Patrick, was an entertainer who earned respect within music circles.

"I fell in love with music and I decided to follow in his footsteps," Jay-A shared.

Despite disappointments and struggles, he remains resolute in pursuing his passion.

Jay-A, given name Tarik Morris, is originally from Montego Bay, St James. For a time, he resided in Vineyard Town in east Kingston. He now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.