Skip Marley Pays Homage To Maxi Priest With New Song ‘Close’

Skip Marley is back with his latest single, Close, his first track under Tuff Gong International/Def Jam Recordings.

The song, along with an official music video directed by Gabriella Kingsley, honors Maxi Priest’s classic Close To You by interpolating its iconic chorus.

The beat, produced by Rykeyz (noted for work with Jessie Reyez, Demi Lovato, and Wiz Khalifa), samples The Soul Searchers’ 1972 breakbeat gem Ashley’s Roachclip, one of the most sampled instrumentals in hip-hop.

“It’s modern, but it pays homage to Maxi Priest. I loved the idea of bringing this great song to the new generation,” Marley shared in a release to DancehallMag. “On one hand, I’m reminiscing about a girl. For me, there’s a bigger meaning too. The song hints that I’m back and about to begin another chapter.”

Maxi Priest’s Close To You, originally released in 1990, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart and was a top ten hit in Canada, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, and Sweden. It is currently certified Gold in the US (500,000 units), Sweden (25,000), and Australia (35,000).

Priest joined Marley in an Instagram reel promoting the new single last week.

Marley, grandson of Reggae legend Bob Marley, first gained attention in 2017 with Katy Perry’s double-platinum Chained to the Rhythm. His 2020 album Higher Place received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album, with the single Slow Down (featuring H.E.R.) topping the Billboard Adult R&B chart—a first for a Jamaican-born artist.

In 2024, he notably contributed a powerful cover of Exodus to Bob Marley: One Love (Music Inspired by the Film)—which accompanied the blockbuster Bob Marley biopic One Love.

Watch the official video for Close below.