KQualiti kicks hard with ‘Van Persi’
Published:Saturday | September 13, 2025 | 12:07 AM
The cultural synergy between dancehall music and football is undeniable, intertwined through shared origins in black culture, fashion and lifestyle.
Football has always been a sport providing cultural references and inspiration for dancehall music, creating a cycle of interconnectedness for decades.
That is why dancehall artiste KQualiti (pronounced quality) is confident that his latest single, Van Persi, produced by StackzNBrixxx Entertainment, will connect with fans.
The song makes references to legendary Dutch striker Robin Van Persie who is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation and was known for his technique, ball control, and vision.
“My concept for the song came from a football match with the Dutch player Robin Van Persie, where I watched him being so dominant on the field, I was very impressed. I came up with an idea to do a song about football and the ladies, so that’s where my thoughts came from,” KQualiti said.
The song which was released in May is included on the artiste’s début EP, Stronger, which is scheduled for release later this year.
“The feedback to Van Persi is dope and so far this song seems to be my biggest in terms of how it’s structured,” said the artiste whose given name is Shakir Campbell.
Growing up in the communities of Park Lane and Hundred Lane off the Red Hills Road area in St Andrew, KQualiti was influenced by music from an early age.
He would often see community stars including Red Dragon, Daddy Lizard, Buju Banton, Fabby Dolly, Sanchez and Flourgon hanging out in the area, while performing at events in and around the community. He soon christened himself ‘KQualiti’.
“I called myself KQualiti because I was born with the quality and it’s easier to find me when searching online or on social media websites because of the distinctive spelling,” he said.
He launched his recording career in 2018, with the release of a single titled Quick Cash, produced by Michael Reynolds and released on the Sekhimaj Records imprint. After completing his studies, he took on jobs in construction, telecommunications, and power services. Despite the demands of work, his focus on music never wavered.
KQualiti is actively collaborating with Stackz&Brixxx Entertainment (USA) and Blacker Dread Records (London, UK) on the aforementioned Stronger EP. The emerging artiste’s live performances have seen him share stages with Jamaican music icons like Luciano, Louie Culture, Major Mackerel, Sanchez, and Flourgon, cementing his place among the new generation of standout performers.
With his authentic sound and gripping narratives which seamlessly blend dancehall and reggae, KQualiti offers fans a glimpse into his personal struggles, triumphs, and the gritty determination that has defined his hard-kn0ck life. His music, characterised by sharp lyricism and authenticity, resonates with a rare intensity that has won him a loyal and growing fan base in Jamaica.
“I am just putting in the work to make music that can engage and entertain the fans,” he said.