Recording artiste Kass Smith has teamed up with reggae singer Chuck Fenda for the inspirational single The Chosen Ones, released on September 18.

The collaboration grew out of the pair’s introduction through mutual friend Jennifer Cheshire of ReggaeWerx. Smith said it was the first time he and Chuck Fenda had met, but their connection soon developed beyond music.

Around the same period, Chuck Fenda began participating in a course taught by Smith centred on creating emotional, physical, spiritual and financial abundance. Those ideas would ultimately help shape the message behind The Chosen Ones.

“For many years, I had wanted to create a song that spoke to people who are seeking balance and alignment in all of these areas of life,” Smith explained.

He had already begun writing the song when he decided Chuck Fenda was the right artiste to complement its message.

“I felt that Chuck would be the right person to bring his own energy and perspective to it. I invited him to participate, and that’s how the collaboration came together,” Smith said.

Produced by renowned saxophonist Dean Fraser, with Smith serving as executive producer, The Chosen Ones centres on personal growth, unity and conscious living.

“For me, The Chosen Ones is more than just a song. It’s a message about unity, personal growth, consciousness and using music to inspire people to become the best version of themselves,” Smith said.

The project took approximately six months to complete and crossed several countries. 

Smith initially recorded in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with Demoy Thomas, while Chuck Fenda recorded his contribution in New Jersey. The track was later sent to Germany for review and adjustments with Teacha Dee before Smith travelled to Jamaica to complete it with Fraser and Rommel Marshall.

Smith said the accompanying music video complements the song’s Jamaican feel while broadening its outlook to include Latin America, Africa and other regions.

“My ultimate hope is that The Chosen Ones becomes more than just a song — that it becomes a message that inspires people to look within themselves and recognise their own potential,” he said.

Originally from Hanover, Smith has spent decades building an international career, particularly in Mexico, where he relocated in 1992. The bilingual artiste later secured a three-album deal with EMI Music Records and found success with Ay Cosita Linda. He has also shared stages with acts including Beenie Man, Ky-Mani Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry and Argentine reggae band Los Pericos.

Smith believes his Jamaican roots, command of Spanish and understanding of Latin culture have helped distinguish him throughout his career.

“I think what makes me unique is my Jamaican roots, my international experience and over four decades of evolving as an artiste,” he said.

Following the release of The Chosen Ones, Smith and Chuck Fenda are exploring plans for an international tour, with the aim of taking the song’s message of unity to audiences around the world.