Debut songs rarely come as wise or as worldly as Nation Boss’ Humans. Whether the three-minute testimony slowed your IG scrolling, stopped you in your tracks, or you still haven’t heard it by now somehow, there’s no denying the world-class chops on the nascent star.
Little over a week ago, he posted a lyrical snippet that wowed the likes of Popcaan, Agent Sasco, Lila Iké and many more. Linking up with producer Dominic ‘Troublemekka’ McDonald to seize the momentum, the sharp, critical track is set to launch Nation Boss into brand new frontiers.
If his first feat was 50K views and favourable reviews on an IG teaser, his second would be the 100K views and counting on his debut single and visuals. The overnight success is an incredible victory, but the man who calls himself “surer than seaside” has seen his fair share of doubt and rocky roads.
“It’s been a rough journey but pain grew me to be the humble lion I am today. Give Thanks
Nation Boss turns his deep meditation into a soaring sermon about the messy consequences of misplaced trust. “Loyalty come wid a cost/ Yuh naffi ask yuh know ah love inna mi heart/ But anytime yuh heart too big my lord dem wi tek yuh fi ah fool and, dis is why mi nuh like humans…” he sings fervently.
The newcomer’s intriguing vocals dissect the range of emotions that come with the territory, and fellow artists such as Bugle and Lila Ikè have boosted his efforts on their official accounts. The raw, intimate details tell a relatable story and explain why the Rasta is gaining traction by the hour.
In the Ruption Boss-directed visuals, there’s only one solution for one who thinks, writes and feels in extremes as Nation Boss does — to hide his heart away from humans, literally. The clip opens with an elder bringing him a shovel for something he’s already stashed away, labelled ‘Do Not Open’. As we follow the artist further away from people and into the misty hills with his parcel, it’s almost like we’ve entered his thoughts as the verses ring out.
“When yuh see mi yah suh looking like mi lost, ye/ Mi nuh lost mi jus ah look inna mi thoughts and a pree some things weh ppl do me inna d past/ Nah act like seh mi perfect, everybody have dem flaws/ Long before dah COVID ting deh nuff ah dem ah wear a mask/ Watch dem keenly as dem try go round di boss”, he sings.
After a lengthy trod, when he finally removes his jacket, we see the grisly scar on his chest and realise his journey was to bury his heart at the furthest, most fertile place he could find — “fi keep it safe yuh nuh”, as he’d told the elder.
Nation Boss shared that he “got goosebumps” in studio hearing the message over the haunting, ambient beat. Many who now have the song on replay admitted the same thing, and it seems ‘Trouble Mekka’ and ‘THE_GURU’ might be a dream team to look out for. The Kingston-based producer’s first big hit was Vybz Kartel’s Ever Bless, but McDonald sees great value in working with up-and-coming talent.
“One of the biggest things as a producer to me is to develop talent,” he said in a Pree Dis interview. “It’s very easy to go in the studio with the biggest artist and make a hit song but what makes you different, unique or special is can you do that with somebody who has never had a hit song before.”
McDonald and Nation Boss seem to have found a winning formula, and the crooner’s mantra, “where humility is plenty, growth is a must”, is the right mindset for milking his newfound fame.
Meanwhile, fans took to YouTube with positive reviews for his vulnerable bars. “These songs the world want to hear and Jamaica want to hear like ambition yaksta
One shrewd fan who sensed that mainstream media would be flocking him soon wrote, “Know Winford Williams and Anthony Miller clearing their throats right now lol,” while another who noted the staggering thumbs up ratio said “The funny thing is the few people who dislike his songs are .. “the girl he sings about’ his friends and family the ones who don’t like his success.. die out haters
Press play on the visuals above.
