Silent Addy has long operated behind the scenes, but with Shake It To The Max lighting up dance floors and earning his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, the Miami-based DJ/producer is now center stage. In this exclusive WMV interview, Addy opens up about the record’s origins, his dancehall mission, and the wave of remixes on the way — including a long-rumored Vybz Kartel feature.
A GLOBAL BASHMENT ANTHEM
Produced alongside his creative partner Disco Neil under their Bashment Sound moniker, Shake It To The Max blends Caribbean energy with global appeal. “The sound was inspired by dancehall/bashment and traveling — seeing what moves people,” Addy shared with World Music Views. The song was born in their Miami home studio when Ghanaian artist Moliy laid down her vocals. “That same day,” he says, “it all clicked.”
The remix which has now surpassed 50 million Spotify stream came together naturally. Addy recalled meeting Skillibeng at a party in Jamaica last December, where the song was already heating up. “20 minutes later, the DJ played it — that moment sealed it.” Skilli sent his verse back within days. Shenseea joined soon after, turning the single into a full-force collaboration. They shot music video in Portland Jamaica directed by Savanah Baker with dancehall images and it has now surpassed 44 million views on YouTube.
Top YouTuber Mr. Beast added the song to his “Hood Mr. Beast” TikTok challenge only last week after the song dominated YouTube Jamaica chart for 7 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1.
BILLBOARD BREAKTHROUGH
In addition to entering the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 91, “Shake It to the Max (Fly)” has become a global smash, charting across continents and formats. In the United States, the track topped both the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs and World Digital Song Sales charts, while peaking at No. 20 on the Rhythmic chart. In the UK, the single hit No. 1 on both the Afrobeats and Hip Hop/R&B charts, No. 2 on the Indie chart, and climbed to No. 14 on the official UK Singles Chart. Across Europe, it reached No. 23 in Germany, No. 24 in the Netherlands, No. 26 in Austria, No. 27 in Switzerland, and landed in the Top 40 in Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It also made waves in the Billboard Global 200, peaking at No. 27. The remix version especially resonated, hitting No. 2 in Suriname, No. 8 in Greece, and charting in Poland and Russia. Elsewhere, the song reached No. 4 on Sweden’s Heatseeker chart and No. 39 in New Zealand
Still, Addy remains humble. “We knew the record had something special. Seeing it connect like this has been surreal… it’s motivation to keep going.”
Addy confirmed official remixes from Stefflon Don and Vybz Kartel are dropping this summer, plus more surprises:
“We’ve also got ‘Done With Your Ex’ by Gladdest and a soca remix featuring two big names. We’re open to whatever adds to the momentum.”
Though some artists passed on the track early, Addy holds no grudges: “That’s the game… I think the energy it ended up with was meant to be.”
A proud Caribbean creative based in Miami, Addy credits the city’s cultural mix for shaping his sonic palette. “It’s in the air here — Caribbean, Latin, African, American… it naturally shows up in the way I produce.”
But as he gains visibility, he’s also shifting gears. “I’m stepping out front more and owning my voice, while still creating space for others.”
However, for Addy, authenticity is key. “I always start with the core — the riddim, the feeling — and build around that. When you keep the essence intact, people from all over can feel it without chasing trends.”
He sees his role as a “bridge” between cultures: “I’m deeply rooted in dancehall, but I understand how to translate that energy globally.”
“Precision and energy,” Addy says of his “Shake It To The Max (Fly) collaborators. “They know how to lock in on a moment. They push boundaries while keeping it real.”
On his last birthday Addy predicted that the “best is yet to come” in a post on instagram and now that he has hit the U.S. mainstream chart he teases more music, international collaborations, and a deeper dive into Bashment Sound — not just as a production duo, but as a full cultural movement. “This was just us from start to finish. No extra writers, no co-producers. It really showed how self-sufficient we are — but we love building with the right people.”
“This is just the beginning. Stay tuned.”
