Nasri Atweh—frontman of the chart-topping band MAGIC! and the voice behind the global reggae-pop hit “Rude”—is back in the reggae spotlight with a brand new track. This time, it’s a duet with dancehall star Shenseea called “I’ll Be Fire”, and according to Nasri, just like his other monster hit—this one is a slow-burner that captures everything he loves about the genre and the soul of summer.
In an exclusive World Music Views interview, Nasri who describes his early days in the music business as a “young dreamer,” opens up about the journey that took him from Toronto dance classes and New York songwriting rooms to stages across the world, a 3x platinum plaque in the U.K., and to the island that has inspired him all along.
“When we dropped ‘Rude,’ it was on YouTube for six months with barely any views,” he laughed. “Then it exploded. So I’m never chasing a first-day hit. I believe in the slow build. Great songs always find their moment.”
As for the band’s continuity, Nasri said, “We put out an album last year but it wasn’t a reggae album, because we are independent we select specific territories like Brazil and Mexico and we never shoot any videos because we weren’t in that mode. Magic is still a band but I am really excited about my solo stuff.”
The Shenseea Collab: “We Just Clicked”
“I’ll Be Fire” featuring Shenseea was born unexpectedly in a Mexico hotel room with a $100 mic.
The track was originally meant for Shenseea’s reggae project, but once she heard Nasri’s demo, she flipped the script.
“Essentially, Shenseea’s management sent me a track asking me to write a song. I didn’t hear anything back for about six months, so I assumed she had cut (recorded) it already. Then I got the track back—and I was all over the song. She only added herself on the second verse. I told her manager, ‘I’m not doing reggae anymore,’ and he said, ‘It’s going to be her record featuring you.'”
Some time passed, and I started working on a solo project that included some reggae. The very next day, Shenseea’s team reached out saying they wanted to release the reggae track with me. Originally, it was her song featuring me, but because my voice was all over it, it ended up becoming me featuring her.’”
After some back-and-forth between teams, the record is now officially billed as Nasri featuring Shenseea, and the two even shot the music video across Jamaica and Miami, aiming to authentically represent the roots of the song’s rhythm and vibe.
“It had to be Jamaica,” he said. “I’d never shot a video there before, and I knew to make it real, I had to go to the source.”
Independent and Unbothered
Despite having massive success under RCA, Nasri is now “happily independent,” he says. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I don’t need a recording budget. I don’t need an A&R telling me what to do. I just want to make great music and connect with people directly,” he explained. “There’s a different type of freedom now. I’m doing this because I love it.”
The father of two says musical independence has led him to a wide-ranging sonic exploration. While MAGIC! still exists—having released an album independently last year—his focus is currently on his solo work, which spans everything from acoustic ballads to future dancehall records.
A Song for the Summer (and the Next One Too)
“I’ll Be Fire” is co-written Shenseea and Nathalia Marshall is being positioned not just as a single, but as a song with lasting power. Nasri isn’t concerned with overnight virality; he wants this track to grow organically, especially in reggae strongholds like Jamaica, Canada, Miami, and Hawaii.
“We gotta get it into everyone’s summer,” he said.
“Most of the world is cold most of the year. So if I don’t catch you this summer, I’ll catch you next summer,” he smiled from his Canadian home his where he was walking his dogs . “Reggae lives in the warm moments, and this is one of those.”
On Working With producer Slyda and Building Bridges
The song is co-produced by Romeich and Slyda, the latter being one of Jamaica’s emerging producers known for crafting some of Shenseea’s early hits, including ‘Wasabi.’ Nasri credits Slyda with helping shape the record’s sonic identity and hopes this release will open more doors for Caribbean talent on the global stage.
“Slyda is super talented, and I think this record shows that he’s ready for the world.”
From Bieber to “Rude”: A Hitmaker’s History
A Palestinian by heritage, Nasri’s pen extend to major hits like Justin Bieber’s 2012 hit “As Long As You Love Me” and “Mistletoe”(2011), as well as tracks for Chris Brown and others which have sold millions of records.
“People ask me where I’ve been, and I tell them—I’ve been feeding my family by writing songs,” he said humbly.
As “I’ll Be Fire” rolls out across platforms on May 9, 2025—and with the Jay Will directed music video expected to drop shortly—Nasri is already plotting the Marketting : acoustic versions, fan giveaways, more releases, and eventually, live performances with Shenseea.
“You’ll see us interact. You’ll feel the chemistry in the music video. It’s not just a good idea anymore—it’s happening.”
