Chaka Demus & Pliers Readying 30th Anniversary Album
Thirty years ago, deejay Chaka Demus and singer Pliers joined forces for the recording of the album Tease Me, a move that would indelibly change their lives and make history when six of its songs entered the UK Singles chart.
Today, the long-lasting Jamaican duo is adding the final touches to an anniversary project commemorating their journey together.
“We have this 30th anniversary album weh we a go release and we almost finished recording all of the tracks already,” Chaka Demus told DancehallMag. “We have some really good collabs on it with artists like Shaggy, Freddie McGregor, and Tanto Metro and Devonte.”
The 12-track set will also include their latest release Young Gyal Business (Refix), inspired by Demus’ 1987 hit of the same name, this time featuring Ghanaian songstress Renner.
“This album is being produced by us, Chaka Demus & Pliers,” he said. “We don’t have a specific date for release but hopefully it will be out sometime this year.”
Pliers first hinted at a pearl project in 2021 through various posts on his social media.
“Next year will be the 30th anniversary of Chaka Demus and Pliers – 30 years of making beautiful music for our fans!” one post read. “So, we’re celebrating by re-recording some of our classics!!!! Stay tuned!!”
The duo is set to headline the third Coveside Concert in St. Ann later this month, themed after their 1993 classic Murder She Wrote. The song was among the six that rocked the UK Singles Chart from 1993 to 1994, climbing to No. 27.
The others were Tease Me (No. 3), an Isley Brothers’ cover of Twist and Shout (No. 1) and She Don’t Let Nobody (No. 4) – the songs that made them the first Jamaicans to have three consecutive top five hits on that chart – as well as Gal Wine (No. 20) and I Wanna Be Your Man (No. 19).
The tracks formed part of the Taxi Gang-produced album Tease Me, which was released as All She Wrote in the United States. The album peaked at No. 1 in the UK, where it is certified platinum for selling more than 300,000 units.
Chaka Demus (John Taylor) and Pliers (Everton Bonner) had successful solo careers before joining forces in 1991. Brother to fellow artists Richie Spice and Spanner Banner, Pliers began his professional music career in 1987, working with producers like Jack Scorpio, King Jammy and Winston Riley.
His solo repertoire includes hits like Snake in the Grass and a cover of Toots & the Maytals’ Bam Bam, which later formed the basis of Murder She Wrote.
His talent didn’t go unnoticed to Demus, who, himself, had built a steady career in the late 80s with a penchant for duets. Among his hits included One Scotch with Admiral Bailey and Bring it to Me with Scotty. He ultimately collaborated with Pliers on Gal Wine in 1991, paving the way for their first collaborative album Gal Wine Wine Wine.
To date, they have recorded more than 10 albums together and continue to release solo projects. Demus’ last solo release was the peace-promoting single Build Bridges released in 2021.