Rap duo shifts Sizzla’s ‘Solid As A Rock’

As firm as Sizzla's Solid As A Rock single is, British hip-hop/rap duo Young T and Bugsey found a way to dissect the lyrics and combined another level of high, energetic and skillfully creative verses, to produce a new reggae-rap single titled Rio Grande.

Young T, who produced the single, told THE STAR, that Rio Grande is more than just the sampling of a song.

"It's a tribute to the timeless classic Solid As A Rock by reggae legend Sizzla [in] which [we're] paying homage to Sizzla while adding our unique spin to the song. I chose to sample this song because it's an iconic Jamaican song that I grow up listening to as a kid; it's a Jamaican classic that has a strong meaning behind it," he said.

The England-born, Jamaica-raised rap artiste said the cultural and musical inspiration he garnered from his time spent in Jamaica, also served as a great inspiration behind the title of his single.

"It wasn't really that difficult to infuse reggae, especially for me because I'm Jamaican. So it's a natural vibe and a natural flowing rhythm for me to express. I naturally find ways that I implement our race, using certain slangs or references to certain things of the culture that people can relate to or discover and find out more about [while] educating them - so it's natural and easy," said the Portland native, whose given name is Ra'chard Tucker.

He said that he believes they have "kept the essence of the old song and put a spin on it to make it more current". The official release for both the audio and music video is this Thursday.

Young T, being a product of Port Antonio, said the title, which also refers to the largest river in Portland, will not only signify his national ties to Jamaica but also sell this already captivating tourist attraction to the world. He shared that the song captures the essence of weathering storms and standing your ground. In addition, the accompanying music video offers a vivid glimpse into Jamaica's rich culture and natural beauty, adding another layer to the experience.

Though spending most of his life as a British citizen, the singjay said he still maintains his Jamaican roots, noting that in the UK, Jamaican culture, dialect and phrases are infused in the British urban culture.

Critics and diverse views will be cast upon the release of Rio Grande, but Young T said that he wants listeners to embrace the new-found musical practices of infusing sounds to create new genres.

"In infusing [music] I think it adds to the sound, makes it more current. It could be a spin that creates a whole other sub-genre to the sound/genre, so I think it's good. Any form of experiment and trying to see what you can mix and blend is good," he expressed. However, he implores fans to still pay attention to the original song's hook which says: ' You can't keep a good man down, always keep a smile when they want you to frown'.

"I really want [fans] to take on [those words] and try apply it to themselves and their own life when they feel like someone is against them - regardless, they can't keep you down," said Young T.

Young T and Bugsey, who is from Nigeria, met at age 15 and have been doing music together as best friends ever since. Their hit single, Don't Rush, catapulted them to higher heights after the 'Don't Rush Challenge' skyrocketed on TikTok. Since then, they have been on a trajectory to stardom, creating several other hits such as Strike a Pose and Been A Minute.

They promised to drop several other blended mixes that "represent their background, culture or heritage" from Caribbean-based to Afrobeat artistes, along with original singles. However, they also want to be featured on a Jamaican festival or show to display more of their appreciation and give back to their local fans.