Michaël Brun Details Uniting Beenie Man & Bounty Killer on New ‘Touchdown' Single
Out Friday (Jan. 31), 'Touchdown' — the Haitian star's new anthem – features Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper J Balvin, Jamaican dancehall legends Bounty Killer and Beenie Man, and rising Jamaican singer-songwriter Tasan, the daughter of reggae legend Papa San. Izy Beats, who helmed Koffee's 2018 crossover hit 'Toast,' helped co-produce.
More from Billboard
Vybz Kartel Celebrates 10 Years of 'Viking (Vybz Is King)' Album With 7 New Tracks
Post Malone Reflects on Filming Bud Light Super Bowl Ad With 'Epic Dudes' Shane Gillis & Peyton Manning
Frank Ocean Begins Filming Directorial Debut With 'Alien: Romulus' Star David Jonsson
A celebratory anthem, tailor-made for major sports victories, 'Touchdown' beautifully marries the already closely intertwined genres of dancehall and reggaetón, using their shared DNA to combine contemporary Latin superstars with dancehall giants of eras past. J Balvin first premiered the track on ESPN as the network's Monday Night Football ambassador, marking a rare usage of Caribbean music on the iconic sports brand's broadcast. The cross-genre collaboration served as the official promotional anthem for the 2025 NFL Wild Card Weekend games.
'Touchdown' previews a busy year for Brun that includes his first-ever arena show. On June 28, Brun will mount his BAYO Festival at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The festival's steady growth over the past half-decade is just one segment of Brun's efforts to uplift Caribbean music around the world.
'I actually was part of the [Grammy] committee for best global music performance,' he exclusively tells Billboard hours before 'Touchdown' hits DSPs. 'At Spotify, I curate the 'Haitian Heat' playlist and help them with other Caribbean stuff.'
Last year, Brun prioritized collaborations, joining forces with artists spanning genres and generations, including Keyon Harrold ('Playa Noche'), Charly Black ('Jessica') and John Legend ('Safe'). With an ever-growing festival and new music on the horizon, Michaël Brun caught up with Billboard to break down the making of 'Touchdown,' his favorite Haitian artists and who he thinks will win the Grammy for best reggae album on Sunday (Feb. 2).
How did 'Touchdown' come together?
This process has taken a couple of years. I've known J Balvin for years, and we've worked on a lot of projects together. My first platinum records and a lot of my No. 1s were with him. [Brun co-produced and co-wrote J Balvin's Ed Sheeran-assisted 'Forever My Love,' which topped Latin Airplay in 2022]. In the process of making some new songs together a couple of years ago, we started talking about the influence of dancehall in reggaeton and how much dancehall artists have influenced and shaped the global sound.
Then we had the idea to do something that honored [the songs] we used to listen to at parties. 'Touchdown' came from the idea of that link between everything that's happened in dancehall history and the way that Haiti has been influenced by the Caribbean, Latin America and our own local sounds.
Once we made that initial concept, I knew I wanted to tap in with some friends and icons from Jamaica. I reached out to Tasan, who sings the hook, and Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, who are two iconic dancehall artists from Jamaica. I also reached out to Izy – who produced iconic dancehall songs like Koffee's 'Toast' — to co-produce the song with me.
This is the first time in a decade that Beenie Man and Bounty Killer have been featured on a track together, which is pretty monumental given their history. What does this moment mean to you as a dancehall fan?
I think that it's really representative of what I believe in: [the power of] bridging different cultures and people. I want my music to make people feel good. I want you to feel that the culture is enriching you. I think that both of their careers have been incredible and have been so influential… not just in Jamaican sounds, but global sounds too.
We actually cut their verses around the time of their Verzuz battle [in 2020], it was literally that week that we started the process. It was really special. I'm grateful that we also got to link in Kingston and Miami. That's all I care about: genuine cultural unity and authentic cultural portrayal.
Do you have any plans to get this performed live anytime soon?
I have BAYO coming up, and that's been so much fun for me because it's rooted in Haitian culture and history. I started it in Jacmel in the South of Haiti, but the music that I play and the artists that pop up for the show are from all around the world. Haitian music is very traditional — we have our genres like konpa and rara — but we also play music from everywhere. I've already had a couple of the artists on 'Touchdown' pop up in past shows. We might get some really good surprises!
Talk to me a bit more about how BAYO has grown over the past five years.
It's been wild. The very first New York show we did was at Music Hall of Williamsburg, and there were about 500 people or so. BAYO was such a crazy twist for me because, up to that point, I was a DJ doing electronic music and I wanted to set up this festival concept to bring the sounds that I love from the Caribbean and all the different global diasporas to New York and different parts of the U.S. Now we're hitting Europe and Canada too. The energy at that first show was so special; it made sense to me as a concept, so to see it go from Irving Plaza to Brooklyn Steel and then to Central Park and Prospect Park has been a dream come true.
And the feedback I get from everybody that comes – whether it's people flying from different cities or people in the New York community — is that it feels like a family. The show is the embodiment of my music. This is my claim, but BAYO is the best party in the world!
Every festival has its own approach, but, personally, I love to be surprised. I work hard every year to surprise people with the lineup. We never announce who's performing, so when you show up you might see Maxwell or J Balvin – anybody can pop up! This festival is my pride and joy.
It's interesting to have a song like 'Touchdown' arrive amid the . How do you feel the song honors and acknowledges the musical lineage of these genres?
We're honoring icons for the work that they've done and creating new moments that incorporate different aspects of their lineages. We're bridging culture-holders with modern-day and up-and-coming stars. Having these songs in these global moments is important for people to see. I feel like these cultures are very separate segments for a lot of people and if they're not explicitly shown it, it's hard for them to understand what the links are. This is my way of helping to create that mutual respect across the board and have all of us in community with each other. Everybody on 'Touchdown' actually loves the other artists.
What's the dream sporting event to perform 'Touchdown' at?
Oh man, the Super Bowl! In terms of the song itself, it's the perfect fit, and J Balvin has also already done the Super Bowl [as a guest of Shakira and J. Lo's in 2020]. On a personal level, I really love football (soccer), so the World Cup too. Any stadium sporting event with people chanting works, that's what the energy of the song was from the beginning. It's also so cool to have Caribbean music on ESPN, I think it's the first time they've ever done that! It's pretty amazing to be part of that lineage now.
Is 'Touchdown' leading to a larger project for you this year?
I've been working hard on a lot of stuff. There's more music coming with some very special artists who I've been working with for the past few years, one of which everyone's gonna be surprised about because she had such an insane 2024. I won't reveal too much, but I feel like my entire bucket list has been checked off.
Who are some Haitian artists we should be keeping our eyes and ears on in 2024?
What Naïka is doing on a global scale with incorporating different sounds from Haiti — whether it's twoubadou or konpa – is incredible. Her song '6:45' was pretty massive last year on socials and streaming. On the rap side, Baky is about to drop his new project which I know is gonna be crazy. One other person I think is fire is Rutshelle Guillaume; we worked on a song with John Legend together last year. She's one of the big singers from Haiti. Everybody comes through to BAYO, so you should pop out this year!
Who do you think will take home the Grammy for on Sunday?
Oh, that's a tough one. I think Vybz [Kartel] might take it, man. His comeback is a pretty big deal. It depends on the voter base, of course. What Vybz is doing right now is really important for the culture. I think it will probably go to [the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack] though because of the movie. If the culture voted, it would be Vybz, in my opinion.
Outside of BAYO and your new music, what else can fans look forward to from you this year?
I've been producing a lot of projects. I'm really close with Naïka; she's working on her debut album right now, and it's a really, really special project that incorporates so many influences from her Haitian heritage. There's a lot of really fun stuff that I've been involved with that I think will be rolling out at different points throughout the year.
On a personal note, my mom passed away in December, which was a pretty crazy journey because she had cancer for three years. With this show and my music, my career is all about honoring her. She was born in Georgetown, Guyana, and she was very philanthropic. I genuinely want to ensure that I'm continuing to honor her through philanthropy and community building. We created the Sharon Andrea Lee-Brun Memorial for BAYO Fund at the end of the year as opposed to people sending flowers and stuff. We ended up donating $12,000 to different education and food sovereignty organizations in Haiti.
I'm in my next life now without my mom, so I'm trying to keep her in mind always.
Best of Billboard
Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1
Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits
H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Watch Coldplay Surprise Perform ‘A Sky Full of Stars' at FIFA World Cup Halftime Show
The FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain commenced today at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and the halftime included a surprise performance by Coldplay, along with sets from the previously announced international lineup of Doja Cat (representing North America), Tems (representing Africa), and J Balvin (representing South America). The 15-minute set took place on a stage crafted by halftime presenters Global Citizen and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. It opened with J Balvin delivering 'Mi Gente,' which he performed with a bevy of backing drummers and dancers. Tems followed with 'Love Me JeJe,' appearing solo before several dancers joined her. J Balvin then returned to deliver 'Reggaeton.' More from Rolling Stone Trump Horns in on Chelsea's FIFA Club World Cup Celebration See a First Look at the FIFA Club World Cup Halftime Show Stage Our Favorite Afropop Moments of 2025 So Far For Doja Cat's performance of 'Woman,' she and her dancers took advantage of the multi-platform stage. Coldplay closed out the halftime festivities with their unannounced set. Joined by Australian singer-songwriter Emmanuel Kelly, he and Martin duetted 'A Sky Full of Stars.' Balvin, Tems, and Doja Cat, along with the dancers, joined them onstage for Coldplay's uplifting finale. 'I'm so happy that we are all here together,' Kelly said to the audience's cheers to close out the halftime event. As Rolling Stone reported, the show took place on an innovative stage located in the upper stands of the venue, which eliminated the need to set up between halves during the game. It 'preserves the integrity of the pitch,' Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen told RS. 'By building our platform high in the stands, we ensured that the newly installed natural grass remains untouched while delivering an unforgettable show that is designed to be time-efficient and visually stunning.' With the halftime show and its partnership with FIFA, Global Citizen hopes to raise $100 million for global education access. 'I'm proud to represent America on this unique stage that will bring people from all corners of the world together,' Doja Cat told Rolling Stone ahead of the event. 'I'm also extremely grateful to continue to support global education efforts by raising funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘I Know Exactly What My Truth Is': How J Balvin Reconnected With Himself on ‘Mixteip'
At 40, J Balvin has nothing left to prove — he already has iconic albums like 2018's Vibras and 2010's Colores under his belt. Still, earlier this month, a few days after performing at the halftime show of the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, the Colombian star dropped Mixteip, a breezy, playful collection that appears specifically designed to soundtrack the last weeks of summer. Unlike last year's Rayo, which overflowed with high-profile features, the more concise Mixteip moves at a casual pace. Balvin casts a nostalgic glance at the classic reggaeton beat that fuels most of these tracks. He collaborates with British rapper Stormzy, then detours lovingly into traditional merengue and salsa with Omega and Gilberto Santa Rosa as sympathetic allies. Put together, the 10 songs suggest a return to the roots, as if the singer was craving to reconnect with the primal sounds that inspired him when he was first emerging as a global star — or dreaming of becoming one. More from Rolling Stone Watch Coldplay Surprise Perform 'A Sky Full of Stars' at FIFA World Cup Halftime Show See a First Look at the FIFA Club World Cup Halftime Show Stage Doja Cat, Tems, and J Balvin Will Perform at FIFA Club World Cup Final Balvín spoke with Rolling Stone about his love affair with New York, his multi-disciplinary approach, and the post-traumatic feelings of a certain Bizarrap session that placed him in the eye of the storm a couple of years ago. Before we talk about , I want to touch on your 2020 single 'Rojo.' In retrospect, it was one of the key tracks that heralded the new, progressive sound of Latin music in the 2020s. I thought of Paris in the late 19th century, when the old school 'Rojo' is a moment in color – a feeling, a fleeting impression. Do you agree? 100 percent. I wanted to bring something entirely different to the game, add a new element that would make me stand out. But you're never going to be different just by trying to be different. In the end, the key to making my mark was staying true to myself. 'Rojo' is one of my favorite songs to perform in concert, because it signified a before-and-after. If you think about it, it's like a modern balada. I know many American rappers who are rough on the outside, and yet they tell me that 'Rojo' is their favorite song. When we recorded it, the emotion behind it was stronger than anything else. The vibration of that particular moment was in sync with the song's message and the pitch of my voice. The opening track of , 'Bruz Wein' has the trademark J Balvin feel: a gauzy, sweet cloud, a mood of instant intimacy. How do you generate that?From 'Rojo' to 'Bruz Wein' [Smiles]. It was nighttime in New York, and the Empire State Building looked cloudy in the distance. I asked for the lights at the recording studio to be dimmed, so that we could see the reflection of the city through the windows. I felt in a cloud myself, thinking about Bruce Wayne embarking on a journey. It was the feeling of New York, of going for nightly walks, which is something I do. I love the moments of solitude, wearing my hoodie, listening to music or calling my friends on the phone. When you are performing live, you're Batman. After the show, your wife is at home waiting for Bruce Wayne. There is a personal mission behind my music: for us Latinos to finally be allowed to step outside of the box. 'You speak Spanish, this is the kind of art you are supposed to make, this is what you are allowed to give.' I never understood why nobody had done anything about it. We deserve our rightful place as citizens of the world. It was a long road, from gaining respect in the business, to telling my stories with visuals, and expressing myself through every possible avenue. Fashion, for instance, is a way of singing without using melodies. Collaborating with [Japanese artist] Takashi Murakami allowed me to educate the younger generations on the kind of art that I love but not too many people know about. I don't need a marketing team to teach me how to express my ideas. Listening to, I started thinking, 'What makes a mixtape a mixtape?'A mixtape is a herd of ideas. A collection of songs that I kept locked in my wardrobe until I felt that I would go mad if I didn't release them to the world. Mixteip is about freeing all those sequestered songs. They deserved to be out there. None of this was planned. Otherwise, it would be another album where I'm telling you a story. There is a random factor to these 10 songs. You could play them in any order you wanted, and the story would remain unchanged. Many of the tracks have the old-school reggaeton beat, as if you were feeling nostalgic for the reggaeton that the entire project was unplanned, I ended up connecting deeply with the old J Balvin that people loved — my more melodic, romantic side. Yes, there was some nostalgia for those early reggaeton songs, and I felt comfortable in that world. At the end of the day, music is all about the vibes. 'Misterio' may be the record's most epic track. It begins in mode, but morphs into salsa, with Gilberto Santa Rosa on vocals. It's organic salsa, heavy on the trombones. Was that planned?Nothing was planned [Laughs.] Originally, the entire song was reggaeton, but then we started talking about the melody, and it had a hint of salsa in it. I was talking with Daddy Yankee's son, Jeremy Ayala, who's a great producer, and with J Castle, another fantastic producer. There was silence in the room, and then the name of Gilberto came up. We all agreed that he's our favorite living salsa singer. He is such an icon. And salsa is such a vital component of Colombia's musical me, this duet is as important as recording with Beyoncé. I grew up listening to Héctor Lavoe, the Fania records, Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves — there are so many great salseros. I was 14 when I learned how to sing Gilberto's 'Perdón' — the live version, from the Carnegie Hall album. If Gilberto had turned us down, 'Misterio' would have stayed as a straight-ahead reggaeton. Colombian groups like Fruko y sus Tesos and Grupo Niche brought a touch of honey to tropical music, with all those sweet choruses and minor key melodies. The same could be said about the contribution of artists like you and Karol Go reggaeton. I think we brought a lot of light at a time when reggaeton was in a dark place, not only sonically, but in terms of the industry. Emerging from a place like Medellín, that at one point was considered to be the most dangerous city in the world, the least we could bring to the table was some joy and positivity. So we brought light, and hope, good vibes and sweetness. At the precise time when there was a need for a different color, we arrived. For many, Residente's 2022 session with Bizarrap was unacceptable. What was it like having that directed at you publicly? Iis there an antidote for that?I remember talking with my mother at the time, and she told me, 'Now you know what human misery is all about.' I believe the most important task was to forgive myself for all the feelings of anger, hate, and betrayal that I experienced. Hate is a poison consumed only by the person who's feeling it. Forgiveness is the antidote. In time, I think people began to realize what was and was not true about all that narrative. And if they don't, I won't lose sleep over it, because I happen to know exactly what my truth is. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Watch Bad Bunny Bring Out Young Miko and Gilberto Santa Rosa During Puerto Rico Show
Bad Bunny kicked off the third week of his Puerto Rican residency No Me Quiero Ir De Aqui with a show-stopping performance and two special guests: rising star Young Miko and salsa legend Gilberto Santa Rosa both came out to a roaring crowd and joined Benito onstage for a pair of songs. Young Miko came out first, during a portion of the concert that takes place in a little pink house called La Casita. That part of the concert is designed to play out like a raging house party, with Miko popping out of the house to hop on the mic with Benito for their collab 'Fina.' The two of them traded bars and danced around other house party guests (at past shows, that area has been filled with people like LeBron James, Ricky Martin, and Kylian Mbappé.) Every night of the residency ends with an energetic salsa showdown that includes Bad Bunny's No. 1 Hit 'BAILE INoLVIDABLE.' The crowd broke out into screams when salsa legend Gilberto Santa Rosa strolled onstage unexpectedly to perform a verse of the song, and then stayed for a rendition of his classic 'La Agarro Bajando.' Both stars emphasized the vibe of the setlist, which combines Puerto Rican traditions with modern sounds. It highlighted artists like Santa Rosa, who Bad Bunny has been a longtime fan of (the salsa veteran also just collaborated on a salsa song with J Balvin.) It's also a reminder of the rising stars Bad Bunny has long endorsed. Back in 2023, when Bad Bunny curated Rolling Stone's Future 25 list, he picked Young Miko as an artist to watch. 'Young Miko is a new face that's breaking through, and I like her a lot,' he said at the time. ' I feel like she has so much to show people, like she hasn't showed people all her tricks yet.' Since then, Young Miko has become a massive breakout act, snagging a Latin Grammy nomination and acclaim for her debut album att., which came out last year. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
