Kelly Shane and Busy Signal “Ain’t That Loving You” Single and Video Out Now
Kelly Shane, daughter of acclaimed Jamaican singer-songwriter Tanya Stephens, steps out today with her first single, an updated take on the soul classic “Ain’t That Loving You,” featuring dancehall icon Busy Signal. Kelly’s effortlessly sweet delivery is offset by Busy’s raspy wordplay and ad libs as they rock over a steady bouncing one drop riddim, courtesy of producer Tad A. Dawkins Jnr. “Ain’t That Loving You (ft. Busy Signal)” is available today from Tad’s Record on all streaming platforms.
LISTEN “AIN’T THAT LOVING YOU (FT. BUSY SIGNAL)” SINGLE
The song release was accompanied by an official video that premiered on Boomshots today. Directed by Thaddeus Deluxe Studio and filmed at various locations in Jamaica, the new visuals show Kelly and Busy Signal anticipating an evening date at a rum bar, where they get cozy and showcase the true chemistry that the artists exude both on record and on film.
WATCH “AIN’T THAT LOVING YOU (FT. BUSY SIGNAL)” OFFICIAL VIDEO
Explaining the significance of the song, Kelly Shane offered “for one, I grew up with my grandmother, and as the owner of the radio and the house, her favorite music was mostly played. Alton Ellis and the entire British-Jamaican music movement was a big part of the soundtrack of my life. It became more personal for me when I recorded it though, as I (at the time) was seeing someone that was very hesitant to love again, so it felt like I was speaking my own words, trying to convince them to take a chance on me. Busy’s verse also summed up how they were feeling too so when I heard it I cried A LOT. Felt very real to me.”
As for the collaboration with Busy Signal, Kelly says “to be very honest, I didn’t think he would do it. This is my first song and it felt like I was really asking him to take a chance on me. I loved him even more when we shot the video. In true first video fashion, we were all over the place and late and up and down but he was so patient and kind with me. He spent most of the time giving me encouraging words and it felt very warm and genuine. He’s such a genuine human being. I’m so grateful for him.
“Ain’t That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)” was originally released as a recording by soul singer Johnnie Taylor in 1967, but subsequent reggae versions by legendary Jamaican artists like Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, and Beres Hammond — who Kelly Shane cites as a major influence — have since led the song to become etched in the genre’s book of standards.
From the continent of Africa through the sounds of Fela Kuti and Steve Monite to the Caribbean’s Bunji Garlin to the USA’s Joni Mitchell, who Kelly hails as her biggest influence, this unassuming student of evocative expression is ready to share all she has learned with lovers of good music across the globe. The young singer-songwriter, who only recently made her vocal debut on the ballad “So Damaged” from her mom Tanya Stephens’ critically-acclaimed Some Kinda Madness album, added “up next is my original music so stay tuned.”