Major Lazer, the Diplo-founded, genre-breaking, boundary shifting, multi-platinum and diamond certified juggernaut, are back with a new track, “GANGSTA,” featuring dancehall superstar and longtime collaborator Busy Signal and pioneer of the Basshall movement Kybba. “GANGSTA” is the long-awaited follow up to the 2013 cult classic “Watch Out for This (Bumaye)” with Busy Signal. The track also sees the group team up with Kybba, the Italy-raised, Amsterdam-based DJ/producer behind the Basshall Movement. The group teased the track alongside tons of new music this summer around the world, most recently at this week’s Notting Hill Carnival in London—their first shows there in more than a decade—and Fête de la Musique in Paris this June.
With the dawn of a new chapter for Major Lazer, Diplo has recruited British-Jamaican breakout America Foster into the fold. Foster is an artist and all-around performer whose distinctive style and authentic voice caught Diplo’s attention, leading to a collaboration in Jamaica that evolved into a formal place in the group. America joins Diplo and longtime members Walshy Fire and Ape Drums for the latest iteration of the legendary group.
“Coming back out now with America and Busy Signal feels like starting a new chapter while revisiting an old one,” Diplo says. “Busy Signal was a big part of our journey with Major Lazer, blessing us with his incredible vocals on ‘Bumaye,’ a massive single that helped define what Major Lazer was going to be. Now, more than a decade later, we’re starting another journey with America joining the group. It’s amazing how much she complements the dynamic we’ve already established with Walshy and Ape Drums. While she’s not on this track as a vocalist, look out for her on some new music coming real soon.”
Founded to scratch Diplo’s studio experimentation itch and celebrate a lifelong love of Caribbean music, Major Lazer has become one of the most successful groups of all time. The global-pop kings have dominated the charts with hits including the Diamond-certified “Lean On,” 4x Platinum-certified “Cold Water” and 2x Platinum-certified “Light It Up.” Their collaborations include Beyoncé, J Balvin, Nicki Minaj, WizKid, El Alfa, Burna Boy, Travis Scott, Ariana Grande and many more. A live juggernaut, the group has blown minds on tour and at festivals around the world for more than 15 years. In 2024, Major Lazer celebrated the 15th anniversary of their seminal 2009 debut album, Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do. More from Major Lazer is imminent.
