Interview: Rytikal Fights A Spiritual Battle In New Hit Song ‘Chosen’

Dancehall artist Rytikal knows he is caught up in a spiritual battle.  That might be why his latest single, Chosen, produced by Dynasty Records on the My Letter to You riddim resonates so well with Dancehall fans who may have their own personal struggles.

The song’s music video is currently trending No. 1 on YouTube in Jamaica and Rytikal sets the tone in the Magical Studio visuals by reciting Psalm 142.  The artist spoke with DancehallMag about the motivation behind the level of introspection evident in Chosen.

“You know I was going through a phase, with the whole jail thing, and that happened just inna the time when mi career ah forward. Is a ting mi a wonder , mi a meds say why certain things have to happen?” Rytikal explained.  “That’s why mi ask so many questions inna the song, even if yu pree the scripture, that scripture came about because is somebody tell me fi read some Psalms. When mi see this one, it speak to mi different.”

“The scripture is like mi ah cry out for the help, no one can help me so is must the most High, is a supplication to a higher power. People ah go through whole heap a tings so I know this can help them to overcome as well.”

Psalm 142 is a prayer, the substance of which David offered up to God when he was forced by Saul to take shelter in a cave, and which he afterward penned in this form.

In the meantime, the video has racked up 1 million views since its release a few days ago, and the artist’s hard bars and futuristic flow has won over legions of fans impressed by his hard-hitting introspective lines that ask tough questions about life, death, and destiny.

One of the lines that resonate is: does a hero have to die before anyone notices?

“Look at Sam Sharpe, Paul Bogle, dem never know say dem a hero till dem dead. The other day, look at the artist called Fadagad, the man go trending, and if he hadn’t died, that probably would not have happened. I don’t want that destiny, I want to be a living hero,” Rytikal mused.

Rytikal plans to release a mixtape soon.

“Mi know it ah go forward, mi have whole heap of songs, but mi no sure ah which particular song, everything mixed, ah just me fi go through them and decide which ones will make the mixtape,” he told DancehallMag.

The 25-year-old deejay, whose real name is Ryan McFarlane, returns to court on July 30 to answer to charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Police reported that they were on patrol in Eight Miles, Bull Bay, St Andrew on January 28 when McFarlane was reportedly seen acting in a suspicious manner.  Police said they questioned the artist and following a search of his car, a Taurus .380 pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition were found.

Rytikal reportedly told the cops that the weapon was a prop for a music video, however, he was taken into custody and later charged.

He was granted $1 million bail on March 24 and as part of the conditions of his release, the entertainer was ordered to report to the Bull Bay Police Station on Wednesdays and Saturdays and abide by a 6pm to 6am curfew order.  He surrendered his travel documents and the court also imposed a stop order at all ports.