Brownskin Rae leans into faith on May 22 single Father

Dancehall artiste Brownskin Rae is moving into a more reflective space with Father, her new single set for release on May 22. The record is built around belief, maturity and the strength to keep going, while presenting another side of an artiste known for mixing smooth vocals with a harder deejay delivery.

For this release, Brownskin Rae said she wanted to put more positive and spiritual ideas into the music. “I have been yearning to write more conscious songs,” she revealed. “I still have the talent to create secular music and I still listen to it, but my desire to make those type of songs is slowly dissipating.”

She said Father is intended to remind people to stay close to prayer, remain true to themselves and hold firm spiritually when pressure comes. “When you’re going through things, sometimes we don’t feel comfortable discussing them with anybody, but you can always call on God,” she shared.

Brownskin Rae said the song, like much of her catalogue, comes out of her own life and feelings. Its themes include taking responsibility, seeking grace and working through pain from within. “I’m not perfect, but I ask God for grace and mercy,” she said. “Most of my songs are based on personal experiences.”

The sound still carries her blend of singing and deejaying, but it is placed over production aimed at emotion and upliftment. She said the idea for the track arrived in an unexpected way while she was out buying a refrigerator for her mother’s house.

During that trip she met a man named Odane, who later called producer Gargon and introduced them. Brownskin Rae then listened to a number of rhythms made by Gargon and Cucudon, and one of them immediately stood out to her.

“I let the beat sit for about a week, then one day I woke up and wrote the song,” she recalled. She first recorded the track with Supreme, before later connecting with Feel Good Boss, who supported the release and suggested engineer G1 to complete the work.

The credits on Father include Gargon, Cucudon, Supreme, Feel Good Boss and engineer G1. Although the song marks a clear shift in tone, Brownskin Rae said faith has long been part of who she is. “This side of me isn’t new. I’ve always been a strong, prayerful person,” she explained. “Life lessons and wisdom are steering me more now than before.”

Looking back at life as an independent dancehall artiste, she said the journey has brought obstacles, letdowns and changes in direction. She now sees those experiences as part of her development. “I’ve never tried to portray myself as another artiste or fit into a mold,” she said. “I believe if a door didn’t open, it was divine protection and timing.”

Brownskin Rae also said Father will be included on a three-song EP with Sunrize and Cyah Give Up. The full project is expected before July.