Keywee Spotlights Working-Class Struggles On New Single '9 to 5'

Dancehall artiste Keywee is placing his expectations on his newest offering, '9 to 5', a hook-laden track that digs into the exhausting routine, frustrations and monotony tied to holding down a standard daytime job.

"The 9 to 5 song was inspired by everyday living within the working system. The system was created to entrap the unfortunate and this creates a bit of a paradox for most, because the harder you work, the more taxes you pay, the less money to take home and the bills just keep hiking, it's a dream killer. A 9 to 5 is a vicious cycle and a very relatable topic for most people,” he said.

At the heart of the record is Keywee's complaint that "9 to 5 ah kill we, ah beat we/man affi work so hard to make ends meet", a line that frames his examination of the pressure and pace of the working week.

"The response so far has been great, videos with the song are getting lots of likes and shares on social media and the TikTok people are getting familiar with it," he said. The warm reception, he noted, has pushed forward arrangements to film a music video for the track.

'9 to 5' sits on the Jamtor riddim, a project that also carries cuts from Semojrah Naki, a collaboration pairing Nature Ellis with Keywee, Empress Leh Leh, Planky Don, Izrel Di Cotton Pikka and Kae Music.

Keywee dropped his debut single, 'Blessings a Pour', in 2010, and has since put steady work into refining his sound. In 2019 he inked a production and management agreement with Canadian imprint Seven Gate Record. Recognised for gritty, hardcore dancehall aimed largely at the ladies, his standout records include 'Melanin Pop' (2020), 'Clean Like Skeleton' (2020) and 'Nuh Use to Gyal' (2021).