Schuler-Shaggy collab, a reality

"Shaggy is a legend and Tessanne is like my sister so it would definitely be an honour to collab with them."

Those were the words of former 'Voice' contestant Matthew Schuler in an interview with The Sunday Gleaner earlier this year. Though his collaboration with Jamaican songstress and Voice winner Tessanne Chin is still pending, the American singer has scored one with Mr Bombastic himself.

The song titled Lovin' You was released earlier this month and has already received in excess of 10,000 views on YouTube, 600 likes and over 150 shares on Facebook.

Produced by Don Corleon and mixed by Sting International, Lovin' You is scheduled to be released on iTunes on April 11, however; fans can pre-order the song on Twitter from @Direalshaggy feat. @MatthewSchuler on @iTunesmusic.

In his January interview, Schuler said he hoped to cross borders with his music and named Grammy Award winner Shaggy as one of the persons who had been helping him to find his footing.

"I've written so many songs, I basically have an album already. I just need to have the producers to flesh it out. Shaggy has been helping me out with that also, he has a lot of connections."

Based on reactions from fans on popular social networking site Facebook and Twitter, as well as comments on YouTube, it seems the young entertainer will have no problems making good on those connections.

The song showcases Schuler's smooth vocals and cements Shaggy's ability to collaborate with international acts in an effort to spread reggae music.

Schuler is most remembered for his rendition of Hallelujah, which earned him a number-two spot on the iTunes chart during the competition.

He was flown into Jamaica to perform at the fundraising, event Shaggy and Friends, on January 4 where he thrilled the audience with his surprise performance of Wayne Wonder's No Letting Go.

- S.G.