Jamaican hitmaker Gutty Bling never hid his vision for Skillibeng’s breakout single *So Phenomenal* — from the moment the young dancehall star laid down his first vocal track, the producer already heard a larger-than-life verse from dancehall icon Vybz Kartel elevating the already dynamic cut. When discussions of an official remix got underway, Gutty Bling knew exactly who to tap first to supercharge the record.
By adding UK-based reggae-dancehall star Stefflon Don to the lineup, the producer has assembled what fans are already hailing as one of the most anticipated and electrifying dancehall collaborations of 2024.
Speaking exclusively to the *Jamaica Observer*’s Splash entertainment section, Gutty Bling broke down the origins of the star-studded project: “The first day Skilli finished recording the original *So Phenomenal*, I immediately heard Kartel’s energy on the track. I know what he brings to every record he touches — he’s the King of Dancehall, Worl’ Boss, and that title didn’t come by accident. When I brought up the remix idea with Skilli, he agreed right away that Kartel was the only person who could fit that spot. I reached out to Skatta Burrell to connect with the Worl’ Boss, and everything fell into place perfectly. His verse speaks for itself — he absolutely crushed it.”
Even after locking in the dream pairing of Skillibeng and Kartel, Gutty Bling said he was determined to push the project to even greater heights by adding a dynamic female perspective to the track. His decision to recruit Stefflon Don, he explained, came from a desire to leave no stone unturned in making the remix a historic moment for dancehall.
“Putting Kartel, Skillibeng and Stefflon Don on one track? That’s next-level dancehall,” he explained. “All three artists have massive cross-genre, global appeal, and each of them has built incredibly successful solo careers. I just wanted to go all out and make something special. After we locked in Kartel’s verse, I reached out to Stefflon Don’s team, and they were just as excited to be part of the project as we were. I’ve always aimed to make music that resonates beyond Jamaica’s borders, and with all three artists already holding huge international fanbases, I know this track is going to resonate with audiences all over the world.”
In the weeks since the collaboration was teased, the star power of the remix has already dominated dancehall conversations across social media, a strong early indicator of the commercial and cultural impact the track is poised to make. While the high-profile collab will no doubt boost the profiles of the three featured artists, Gutty Bling says the project carries far greater personal significance for his own career, which has seen steady growth over recent years. He hopes the *So Phenomenal* remix will silence critics who have doubted his ability to deliver a major global hit.
“This project means the world to me, it’s a clear marker of how far I’ve come in my musical journey,” he said. “I have to thank God for this opportunity, and thank all three artists for trusting me and making this vision come together. I’ve already gotten hundreds of calls, texts and glowing feedback from fans, friends and family — it’s an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to see what new doors this single opens for me.”
As momentum around the remix continues to build, Gutty Bling has also teased upcoming expansions to the *So Phenomenal* project. The producer confirmed he is currently developing a *So Phenomenal* Riddim, a curated production package that will feature a small selection of additional dancehall tracks built around the remix’s iconic instrumental backbone.