Earlier this month, the multi-talented, Eddie Murphy, added another track to his first list of originally published music in over 20 years. Offically released via VPAL Music on January 27th, fans can get “Oh Jah Jah” at their favorite digital market.
Announced on January 6th, VPAL Music, a subsidiary label of VP Records and distribution arm for reggae music, have teamed up with the revered comedian/actor/singer Eddie Murphy to release his new single “Oh Jah Jah”. Written by Murphy and co-produced with Ralph Hawkins Jr. and Trenten Gumbs the single was recorded and mixed at Soul Mountain Studios in Beverly Hills, CA.
Available through iTunes and other digital outlets January 27, this new single is the fourth track released from his rumored upcoming multi-genre solo album 9, with “Oh Jah Jah” being Murphy’s second Reggae track.
Though, Murphy has told Rolling Stone “I don’t have a reggae album. But I got other reggae tunes, I’ve got R&B stuff, I got rock. I got one hip-hop track, but I’m not rapping on it, Snoop is… I’m not trying to be a recording artist and have a certain type of music for the radio. Over 20, 25 years, I got just a library of different shit. I can go right now and put out an album in any genre. I can go right now and put out a country album. Or jazz.” Out of all of his collective material, the first track debuted back in July of 2013 when Eddie Murphy released a collaboration with Snoop Lion titled “Red Light”. Murphy liked how it came out and put it up on the computer to much applause and discussion.
[Related: Snoop Lion and…Eddie Murphy?]
In September of that year, Murphy released the music video for that track, which can be seen below. Then in November Murphy released two more singles. R&B-Soul tracks titled “Promise (You Won’t Break My Heart)” and “Temporary,” singles that were also paired with music videos. Around that time there was word that Murphy was putting together a new record called 9 that would drop early in the next year.
In 2014 Murphy released nothing. Now discussing his mentality about his music in Rolling Stone’s January interview, he explains: “I’m not trying to get no paper, or get more famous off of this. I just do it, and I love doing it.”
As we have seen, Murphy has been slowly releasing singles, making them available for fans to listen to for free on Soundcloud, and creating well produced music videos for fans to watch on Youtube. The tracks are then made available for fans via digital outlets. Clearly not in it for the money, Murphy seems to have more of a long-term distribution plan in mind, releasing singles not to make extra revenue, as many artists do, but as another means to gauge public response.
Not having to worry about deadlines by buffering his tracks with time, Murphy can individually test the tracks’ appeal before placing them on a record. As he explained I know when some shit is wack, and I know when some shit is good, and when it’s great. I know when somebody did something special. I keep score! And I know when I’ve done something that’s wack. And I’m not putting out no track that’s wack.”
Working hard to create music he knows is good material, Murphy wants people to respond. “If people don’t, that shit will just stay on the shelf where it’s at. And I’m cool with that. I’m cool with all my shit being on the shelf until 100 years from now.”
Following the release of this track, be sure to check back for updates on a music video for Oh Jah Jah, as well as additional tracks from Murphy or news of his anticipated record.
For more about Eddie Murphy, his career and his music, check out the details below.
Releated Links:
Eddie Murphy Website
Eddie Murphy Facebook
Eddie Murphy Soundcloud
Article By: Aaron Solomon
WATCH: Eddie Murphy’s “Red Light”
