When Japan’s VIGORMAN and Jamaica’s Stalk Ashley began exchanging ideas across time zones and language barriers, neither could’ve predicted they were building a musical bridge between Kingston and Tokyo.

But after nearly three years of trading demos and mutual admiration, the result is ‘Fading Away‘, a genre-bending collaboration.

Released this summer,’Fading Away‘ isn’t just a track; it’s a sonic handshake between two countries, two cultures, and two artists determined to expand what collaboration looks and sounds like in today’s music ecosystem.

The seeds were planted in 2022 when VIGORMAN — a rising Japanese singer with deep ties to reggae and dancehall — met Stalk Ashley during a trip to Jamaica. Already a fan of her sultry, genre-fluid sound, he took the opportunity to share just how influential Jamaican music had been to his own artistry.

“I’ve been listening to her since her song ‘OPEN‘,” he said.

“So meeting her and talking about Japan’s dancehall scene felt like fate. I knew I had to work with her.”

Once back in Japan, their connection stayed alive through late-night WhatsApp chats and WeTransfer links. The beat — crafted by Gacha Medz and Ashley’s manager and producer Jaxx—travelled halfway across the world before landing in VIGORMAN’s inbox. And from there, the song began to take shape.

“As soon as I heard it, I knew — if I could lock in a strong hook, we’d have something special,” VIGORMAN shared.

Two sounds, one language

On ‘Fading Away‘, VIGORMAN leans into vulnerability with a melodic hook, while Stalk Ashley delivers a verse laced with heartache, clarity, and poise; the kind of songwriting that’s made her one of the most exciting voices coming out of Jamaica’s alt-R&B wave. What makes the track compelling isn’t just its genre-bending fluidity; it’s the authenticity behind it.  Ashley re-recorded her verse multiple times to get it right, despite the physical distance between them. And for VIGORMAN, who self-admittedly battled self-doubt during the process, the project was a reminder of how far he’s come — and where he wants to go.

“This wasn’t just about making a track, ” he said. “It was about creating a moment, and building something that could grow beyond us.”

A scene in Japan, rooted in dancehall

For Ashley, the collaboration opened a new lens on her own culture’s reach.

“I was honestly shocked to learn how big dancehall is in Japan,” she said. “Even with the language barrier, people are tapping into our sound and spirit. It reminds you just how far Jamaican culture travels.”

To celebrate the release, the duo premiered the music video, shot by Shane Creative, at an exclusive listening party in Kingston. The event was more than a launch; it was a cultural exchange in motion. With DJ sets from Silent Addy and live performances from both artists, ‘Fading Away‘ was formally introduced to the world in the city that inspired it.

“It was my first time throwing a listening party in Jamaica, so I didn’t know what to expect, ” VIGORMAN said. “But the energy, the love; it was unforgettable.”

Looking ahead: More than a song

Now, VIGORMAN has his eyes set on something bigger. He wants to bring Ashley to Japan. Not just for a show, but to help spark a new era of collaboration between dancehall artists and the thriving underground Japanese scene that’s quietly been honouring Jamaican music for decades.

“This track is just the beginning,” he said. “I want us to turn this into a movement — a real exchange, where artists from both sides get to grow, learn, and make history.”

Ashley agrees. “It’s important for Jamaican artists to reach beyond the island. We’ve always had global impact — this is just another way to show that.”

‘Fading Away‘ isn’t just a song. It’s a moment — one that proves connection doesn’t need borders, and that music, when made with intention, can stretch across oceans and still land right where it belongs: in the heart.”