Curtisay Links Kingston Dancehall Energy With LA Sound On Way You Whine

After 15 years as a recording artiste, Curtisay says his focus has stayed close to dance music, with songs designed to move listeners and carry a feel-good charge.

That aim guides Way You Whine, his newest single, which was released in April. The track was produced by Ahzee, a Los Angeles-based producer who shares Curtisay's taste for dance-driven music.

For the project, the pair set out to connect the nightlife feel of Los Angeles with Kingston's dancehall pulse. Curtisay said the song makes an immediate impression because of its fast rhythm, vocals and melodic direction.

He said his music-making style is built around finding a mood people can enjoy, then pairing it with lyrics that listeners can understand and connect with. Curtisay described the approach as rooted in hard-core dancehall, but shaped so it can reach a broader audience.

Way You Whine marks his first time working with Ahzee, who was born in the United States to Guyanese parents.

Since beginning his career as a recording artiste, Curtisay has put out songs including Seasons, Inside and One Million. He has also worked as a songwriter, contributing Stay With Me to Jah Cure's 2015 Grammy-nominated album The Cure.

Curtisay, whose given name is Curtis Brown, comes from Sherlock Crescent in St Andrew, a community known for producing dancehall talent. Among its most recognised names is Cham.

He names Shabba Ranks, Super Cat and Bounty Killer as the artistes who have had the strongest influence on his music.