LargeUp Premiere: Major Lazer — “Lean On” (Zion I Kings Remixes)

The global, season-defining hit “Lean On” represents a departure for Major Lazer, away from their reggae-dance roots towards a more traditionally pop sound. Fortunately, long-time Major Lazer collaborators and all-around roots all-stars Zion I Kings have come through with a clutch pair of remixes for selectors eager to work “Lean On” into their one-drop and dub sets—as well as fans of good music, period.

“I was in France at the beginning of May and heard the original starting to play on the radio and in clubs,” Andrew “Moon” Bain, one-third of Zion I Kings with Jah David and Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred, tells us. “By the time I left, it was playing nonstop, almost 10-20 times a day and got stuck in my head. I reached out to Diplo and Walshy for the acca, telling them that I heard a one-drop version similar to the Lorde ‘Royals’ remix we did. About an hour later, Diplo sent over the stems. As soon as I got back to my Brooklyn studio, I got to work, and sent it to Drew Keys and Jah D to add in their parts. Once Tippy got his hands on it, he laced up the wicked dub mix.”

Zion I Kings are making some of the best original reggae right now (with Pressure Busspipe, Midnite and others) so it’s no big shocker that their remix work would be sharp. Press play below, and read our interview with ZIK’s Tippy I here.