On the heels of their thrilling debut at NYC’s SummerStage concert series, the reggae band F.Y.A.H. (Free Your Authentic Heart) shared their defiant single, “Freedom Fighter,” featuring Steel Pulse’s David Hinds. The song was released on August 19 via VP Records / Dub Rockers.
Produced by Delroy ‘Pele’ Hamilton — also the bassist and founder of F.Y.A.H. — “Freedom Fighter” unites two generations of artists in the struggle for liberation. Throughout the roots reggae track, vocalists Elton Earlington and David Hinds charge to the front lines, lashing out against deep-rooted brutality and injustice with fiery verses.
Speaking on the collaboration, Pele said, “I feel honored to have done a song with one of my icons in reggae. David is someone I’ve looked up to in all my years in music. And the song came together so effortlessly, it was so smooth.”
Said David Hinds: “What attracted me to F.Y.A.H.’s music is the similarity in style, that upbeat energy, like on songs we [Steel Pulse] did like ‘Chant a Psalm’ and ‘Nyabinghi Voyage.’ So it was interesting to see that the collaboration was along those lines where the tempo and the energy were similar.”
“Freedom Fighter” follows the singles “Raging Fyah” and “One Day Soon,” featuring dancehall legend Josey Wales, in the lead-up to F.Y.A.H.’s debut album, which is slated for release in early 2024. The Kingston, Jamaica-based band will also support Landon McNamara in a string of dates across California and Nevada from September through October.
The song is now available on digital platforms.