“Rise Up” by desmond the Songwriter

desmond the songwriter is an up and coming star, hailing from Kingston, Jamaica. His new song, “Rise Up,” is the first track on his highly listenable concept album “Happiness Is Priceless.” The song is recognizable as reggae, there’s something interesting and fresh about it that keeps it from melding in with the reggae of the past.The guitar lifts the track up and desmond’s voice is warm and velvety. The backing singers’ catchy vocals add an extra layer of fun to the tune. “Rise Up” is a perfect song for a morning when you need a little something extra to lighten your mood. The lyrics remind the listener that trusting yourself can pay off.

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“Happiness Is Priceless” as an album explores the disparity in the distribution of wealth, looking into the choices people make based on their access to money. While the album opens up with “Rise Up” and overall contains a message that money can’t buy happiness or live, there are some somber songs mixed in, giving the album real depth. Songs like “Affluenza” talk about how the rich can get away with anything, while “Kiss and Sell” tells the story of a poor woman trying to make ends meet. The album is a well-rounded narrative, showing people from all walks of life and reminding us that while we are all human, there is a giant rift between us and how we treat each other, and money has a lot to do with that. 

“Happiness Is Priceless” first debuted on the Nielsen SoundScan Reggae Chart and the South Florida Reggae Chart. Pop Magazine placed “Happiness Is Priceless” at number 44 on their list of top 50 albums of 2020, having desmond join the list with Alicia Keys, John Legend, Gregory Porter. His album was ranked ahead of Taylor Swift’s. Pop Magazine also nominated him for an Emerging Artist 2021 award. On top of his own talent, desmond collaborated on the album with some big names in music, such as Dean Fraser, Courick Clarke, Mikey Bennett and Sidney Mills. Before his blossoming music career, desmond played lead roles in Jamaica’s LTM National Pantomime at the famous Ward Theatre. He also did cabaret performances on Jamaica’s North Coast hotel circuit and worked as the first administrator of the performing rights organization, the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Ltd (JACAP).

It seems like desmond is truly “rising up.” His new single seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy.  He has shown up to the music scene with a vision and an incredible sound. “Rise Up” will make you want to dance around the moment you hear it. There’s tons of songs about working hard and overcoming adversity, but “Rise Up” is exceptional. Transcending your situation is an awesome feeling, and desmond manages to capture that while also creating something listenable, danceable, and uplifting.

Michael Rand

The music of Desmond The Songwriter has been heard all over the world in partnership with the radio plugging services offered by Musik and Film Radio Promotions Division.  Learn more https://musikandfilm.com