Different cultures collide on new track

US-based multi-genre recording artiste Deportee has teamed up with Jamaican dancehall artiste Ricky Ten and Bajan dancehall artiste Lone Realness on his latest release, Hurt People.

Released under Deportee and Ricky Ten’s Akbar Music imprint, the single was released last Friday and has since been making an impact on social platforms. Exploring the theme of emotional pain and its cyclical nature, the artistes dive into the cascading effects that being hurt has on individuals and communities, hinting at a more intricate narrative that strikes a chord with audiences on various levels.

“The project consolidates various musical influences, while showcasing the universal struggle we social creatures face in an increasingly individualistic world,” said Deportee.

“I wrote my verse about a year before the full song was completed, during a time when I was reflecting on the genocide of the Palestinians. I was wondering how a people, like the Jews, who had faced so much oppression, could turn around and oppress another group of people. Then the old phrase came to my mind – ‘Hurt people, hurt people’,” he said.

“I started to think about people in my life who faced certain traumas as children and grew up to inflict those same traumas on children, and how I’ve been affected by that personally. My verse on the song comes from those meditations.”

Hurt People not only highlights the rich tapestry of Caribbean and American music, but also emphasises the universal nature of the song’s message.

“This track has definitely added to the rich cultural exchange that takes place in our music industry each time different cultures collaborate. The unity showcased in the song is a representation of a language we all speak. This track has the potential to dominate outside of the Caribbean and we are working to make that the reality,” said Ricky Ten.

For Lone Realness, being able to continue to add to the lists of genres in which he has delved just adds to his status as one of the most sought-after acts in Barbados.

“Every collaboration brings a new perspective. Hurt People is a perfect example; three different backgrounds united through music and a positive message. Music with a powerful concept like this has no boundaries; it can live forever. I see this as a legendary track,” he added.

With the official video already amassing thousands of streams, the artistes continue to fervently put a promotional muscle behind the marketing of the track.