Protoje and Chronixx are featured on a remix of Alicia Keys’ latest single Underdog which was released by RCA Records. It is co-produced by P2J and Izzy Beats.
In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Protoje explained how the collaboration came about.
“I was approached in early January. I was in the studio with Chronixx at about 10:00 pm, and I got a call asking if I could take a 6:00 am flight out in the morning. So, I literally wrapped up the session with Chronixx, got ready, drove to the airport and flew to Los Angeles. I got up the next morning and did the song,” he recalled.
He described being in the studio with Keys.
“It was awesome working with her and she’s very chill, very down-to-earth. It was all positive.”
Alex Rivas, project manager for Chronixx, commented on his involvement in the collaboration.
“Chronixx being featured on Alicia’s Underdog remix means a lot for Jamaican music and the Caribbean culture as a whole. Anything is possible and even more so as a community. The timing of this collaboration couldn’t have been more perfect. Everyone needs uplifting messages right now just as is said in the song, ‘…destined for greatness…’,” he said.
In a press release issued by RCA Records, Keys said: “This remix is such a beautiful vibe! My friends Chronixx and Protoje are so incredible, and I’ve always wanted to create something special with them. I appreciate them sharing their gifts with us on this.”
The original version of Underdog is the current single from Keys’ forthcoming album ALICIA, due for release this year. The song was the most added track on American Top 40 radio upon its release earlier this year.
Underdog (Remix) is being released just ahead of Keys’ new book, eBook and audiobook, More Myself: A Journey, available on March 31.
This is not the first time the Grammy-winning Keys has worked with Jamaican artistes. In 2006, she was featured on Baby Cham’s Ghetto Story Chapter 2 remix, which scaled the Billboard R&B, Rap and Hot 100.
One year later, Junior Reid was featured on the remix of her hit single, No One. They performed the song at the American Music Awards that year.