The song marks a return to recording for the band.
Hawaiian Reggae band The Steppas have released their new single "Stay" via Easy Star Records. The song marks a return to recording for the band, who dealt with a number of close tragedies in 2019 and 2020, which almost stopped the band from continuing entirely. In 2019, the band's friend and longtime manager, Kaliko Keawe'ehu, died suddenly and unexpectedly. The Steppas' leader, Star Alaniz, took months off from writing music, recording, or playing shows. This was followed by more unexpected deaths in their scene. Eventually, Star came back around to realizing that life is actually short and he returned to writing music with a vengeance. "Stay," the first single to emerge from this period of renewed creativity, is an appropriate return, as it touches on themes of getting through dark periods, while also embracing a new stylistic adventure for the group.
While on the Jamrock Cruise in 2018, Star, alongside the late Kaliko Keawe'ehu, as well as members of Inna Vision and Jamaica's Earthkry, began discussing the ways that Jamaica and Hawaii had much in common. At the time, Hawaiians were deep into protesting the construction of the Mauna Kea telescope, while Jamaica is always dealing with the fallout of their own colonial history. It occurred to those involved that reggae music has always served as a common voice among persecuted and historically oppressed groups, not only in Jamaica but throughout the world as well, especially in Hawai'i with islanders who identify as Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Australian Aborigines. So, for the Hilo Natives, further blending Jamaican and Hawai'i island styles struck a chord in their soul, and collaborating with Jamaican artists and musicians a dream come true. "Stay" became the first song they sent to Phillip McFarlane, the leader of Earthkry, as well as the head of the Jamaican label Irie Yute Records."This ain't no bed of roses
There'll be dark clouds ahead
Can't promise you that the rain won't fall
But I'll wash away your pain
This ain't no light of sunshine
Although I'll clear up the rain
Can't promise you forever but forever I will stay
Yes, I will stay
Yes, I will stay"
"Stay" is masterfully crafted by an all-star cast of musicians. Along with McFarlane, The Steppas are also joined by Earthkry's bassist Kamardo Blake, Chronixx's guitarist Nnamdi Robinson, Buju Banton's drummer Keneil Delisser, and Sherida Sharpe on vocals. More tracks are being written by Star and Pavao, and then worked on back and forth between Hawai'i and Jamaica, with the intention of an eventual longer EP being released out of the international collaboration.
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