The Flipsyde frontman turns to reggae with guest verses from Indian hip-hop’s seasoned rappers
(From left to right) Dee MC, Steve Knight, Smokey the Ghost and JR Holliday collaborate on “Most High – Remix.” Photo: Courtesy of Knight
West Coast singer-songwriter and rapper Steve Knight – best known for his work with rap-rock band Flipsyde – leans on Indian hip-hop’s top talents Dee MC and Smokey The Ghost for his love-filled song “Most High.”
The song – also featuring songwriter J.R. Holliday and produced by Joshua Blaxon – flows like a dub and reggae-inspired jam. It marks yet another collaboration with Indian artists for Knight, who previously lent his voice to the hook on Brodha V’s “All Divine” and collaborated with Hyderabad/Los Angeles artist Peekay on “Running” following their joint set at Oddball Festival in Bengaluru in February this year.
Knight says it was “great” working on “Most High” with Dee MC (who adds an English-Hindi verse) and Smokey The Ghost. He adds, “Smokey and I have been talking about collaborating for years and when he introduced me to Dee MC it just all came together pretty organically […] They are so talented I had very little input for them. I sent them a few songs and Dee jumped on this one and said I got a flow that will be perfect for this record.”
The song was partly inspired by Bob Marley’s hit song “One Love” and Knight informs us that reggae was a “huge influence” on his life growing up. “And then when I moved to Hawaii in my early 20s, the island culture, the aloha spirit, and the reggae vibes of Bob Marley really helped shape my life,” Knight adds.
His solo releases remain in focus for the foreseeable future, one that includes exploring “country soul sounds” down at Fame Studios in California. “The project is slated to drop in the first quarter [of 2025] on 8trck Ent/Warner Brothers. I think it’s some of the best songs I’ve ever written personally and excited to share it with the world!”
India, too, remains on his radar. “I hope to be back to India for another round of festivals. We are talking about playing [reggae festival] Sunsplash in Goa this round,” he adds.
Listen to “Most High – Remix” below