New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Superstar producer and songwriter Naughty Boy has teamed up with rising British talent Ray BLK and music legend Wyclef Jean for the release of 'All Or Nothing'. The song, which premiered on FADER last night, is the latest single to be taken from Naughty Boy's upcoming second album, due later this year.
"All Or Nothing", which was co-written by Ray BLK, Seinabo Sey, Wez, Plested and KIN, sees Naughty Boy take an unexpected turn in his sonic journey with a reggae-inspired track that vibrates with emotion. Ray BLK delivers a visceral and soulful vocal over Naughty Boy's stirring production, which, as the song progresses, builds to incorporate panpipes and atmospheric horns. As Wyclef swoops in for his verse, everything is stripped back, before Ray, accompanied by emotionally charged strings, cuts in with her rap as the song hurtles toward its powerful conclusion.
Recounting how the collaboration came about, Naughty Boy said that, as a fan of home grown UK talent, he had wanted to work with Ray BLK ever since he caught her performing live in London. When they got in the studio, "All Or Nothing" was born. The track, he said, was inspired by a bitter text message from an ex.
"The message in the song is like a self-love handbook," he said. "I think we all sometimes neglect when our instincts are telling us something about someone is not right but we refuse to believe it and keep giving a situation more energy than it deserves. To bring a reggae sound into it was important for the message to really stand out and it gives the song a really classic feel."
"I love this song so much because it was exactly how I was feeling at the time we made it," Ray BLK explained. "There comes a point where you have to put your emotional and mental well-being first and let go of toxic relationships. I think a lot of people will relate to it and it'll be the empowering song that reminds them they deserve better."
On working with Naughty Boy, she added: "I've always been a big fan of Naughty Boy, so when he told me he wanted to work together I couldn't believe he was a fan or knew who I was at the time! It was such an honour to work with him"
Currently working on his second album - the follow-up to 2013's critically acclaimed debut Hotel Cabana (top #2 in the UK) - Naughty Boy has teased that he's been in the studio with Missy Elliot, John Newman, Janet Jackson, Dua Lipa and Raye. Whether or not these sessions will end up on his own record remains to be seen, and Naughty Boy is maintaining the mystery, refusing to give up any names. Whatever surprises he has up his sleeves, it'll definitely be worth the wait.
"All Or Nothing" is out now via Virgin EMI Records.
