Cholita links with Skillibeng on new dancehall love song

Rising artiste Cholita has scored a major breakthrough with a sizzling new collaboration alongside international hitmaker Skillibeng on their fresh single, Without You.

The track is produced by Dre Skull, who recently earned a Grammy nomination for his work with African superstar Burna Boy.

Based in Kingston, Cholita is buzzing with excitement about the partnership.

"I've been a long-time fan of Skillibeng and his iconic sound. Super grateful that he was able to jump on this song. He killed it, straight flames," said Cholita.

She explained that she always felt Skillibeng's style would blend perfectly with the R&B-infused dancehall love track.

"I thought Skillibeng could bring a perfect energy to the song, so we reached out, and he did not disappoint," she said. "He was amazing; he actually did two different verses and asked me to pick my favourite. That was amazing! I'm super thankful he was willing to be a part of it."

According to Cholita, Without You was born out of the intense, all-consuming emotions that come with true love.

" Without You was inspired by that rare, overwhelming feeling you get when you're deeply in love," she said.

"It's about reaching a point where you feel so strongly for someone that you can't imagine life without their love or their presence," Cholita added.

The single follows her debut track, Next Time, and marks another step forward in a musical journey she began just over a year ago, though music has surrounded her for much longer.

"I grew up in a very musical family," she said. "My dad is a sound engineer and music producer, so I spent a lot of time in the studio after school or surrounded by him playing music."

Her mother's side is equally rooted in the art form.

"My uncles and grandfather on my mom's side are also musicians," Cholita added, noting that singing has always been her safe space -- "the one thing that truly brings me peace".