Eddie Murphy Drops New Reggae Single
The original King of Comedy and the King of the Dancehall have teamed up on a new reggae track, “Wonna Deez Nights.”
Funny man and prolific actor Eddie Murphy has released his newest track with a little help from fellow musician, dancehall artist Beenie Man, from “Who Am I?” fame. “Wonna Deez Nights,” Murphy’s second single, is a fun, summer love song complimented by Beenie Man’s signature style of rapping.
World Music Central reports Murphy’s first single, “Oh Jah Jah,” inspired by dramatic events unfolding in the news, went on to top iTunes Reggae Singles chart as well as rank in the top five on Billboard’s Reggae Digital Song chart. The success of Murphy’s first single has many asking if there will be a full Eddie Murphy reggae album. Murphy told Rolling Stone that it’s possible.
If people respond to [“Oh Jah Jah”], then I might. If people don’t, that sh*t will just stay on the shelf where its at. And I’m cool with that. I’m cool with all my sh*t being on the shelf until 100 years from now.”
If Eddie Murphy did release a full reggae album, it would be his fourth studio release. Murphy’s prior releases include 1985’s How Could It Be, the four-year follow-up So Happy and 1993’s Love’s Alright. Murphy has a bevy of acting awards. A full reggae release could garner Murphy his first musical award, or at least nomination.
While “Wonna Deez Nights” is a catchy, uptempo track, it is not Murphy’s first foray into the reggae music scene. His first exposure included a collaboration with 90s dancehall icon Shabba Ranks on “I Was a King.” Though not a critical success, Murphy kept jamming, eventually releasing “Red Light” with Snoop Dogg (aka Snoop Lion).
In an early interview with the Voice, Murphy says even after he temporarily stopped releasing music during the 1980’s, he “never stopped recording or writing.”
I make music in my spare time just because I love to do it. Music is such a big part of who I am, I just wasn’t trying to make a living from it. It’s such a big, creative canvas to work from.”
Should he decide to release a full reggae album, Murphy has enough music to do so for a few albums. Murphy, who says he uses reggae music as a vehicle to express what he could not express with a simple R&B track, told USA Today that he is always making music. He just does not release it.
I’ve got shelves and shelves, hours and hours of music over the last 20 years.”
Murphy has not completely abandoned his acting career, though. He is expected to play Richard Pryor’s father in Lee Daniels’ upcoming biopic.
Eddie Murphy’s “Wonna Deez Nights” is released on VPAL, a subsidiary of VP Records.
[Photo credit: “Oh Jah Jah” video screengrab]
