Sherwayne shakes up scammers and Church with ‘White Collar Crime’

Gospel artiste and prominent producer Sherwayne is calling on those turning to guard rings and lottery scamming for success to seek God.

His message is delivered in his new single, White Collar Crime, featuring Elpaso 876 and Biblical Lyricist. The entertainer, who is also a pastor, was inspired to write the song based on current social trends and his own experiences.

"Growing up, I always hear about the guard ring, and I also recognise that people that I went to school with are adopting this lifestyle, and artistes they look up to inspire them and glamourise it, so they succumb to it," Sherwayne, 29, said. "I see it fit, as an artiste, to also show them the right way about living life because the truth is, these persons who claim that they get protection from guard ring or engage in lottery scamming, the lifespan for them is very short; because I bury them as a pastor."

He added, "Come to God and get all the protection and blessings you need." Since its release on April 4, the song has generated raving reviews from "progressive believers" and the youth.

"One person who participates in lottery scamming heard the song and said him really love it and that I should continue to pray for him that he comes to the Lord," said Sherwayne.

But the pastor has also received criticism for the song's hardcore sound. Through his Sherwayne Music Productions imprint, he has been selling some of the hottest trap- dancehall rhythms today, like that for Intence's dark number, Circle. Should one remove the lyrics, the rhythm for White Collar Crime easily fit the aesthetic of all things grimy.

"It's mostly the older, traditional church members that don't really appreciate the uptempo beat," he said. "They would classify the sound as us sounding like the world, but the world don't have a sound. I'm hoping the song goes viral and people take the time out to take a keen listen, and also look out for the music video to be released in August."

White Collar Crime is the lead single off his sophomore album, Pain and Struggle, which is slated for release in September. Sherwayne released his debut album, The Winning Team, last year, a body of work dedicated to motivating those navigating the hardships of the pandemic. Pain and Struggle will serve as a follow-up to uplift people coming out of this period, while also sharing his own painful experiences as a young Christian.

Given name Sherwayne Cowans, the May Pen, Clarendon native made his music debut as a secular act in 2010 before shifting gear after getting baptised in 2012. His entry to production came following several rejections from gospel producers, leading him to teach himself how to make, mix and master beats, thanks to the 'university' of the Internet.