Jamaican schoolboy Rushawn Ewears could never have guessed that his classroom performance would change his life forever. South African YouTuber The Kiffness took a shine to Rushawn’s performance of Jermaine Edwards’ “It’s a Beautiful Day,” and decided to mash it up on his YouTube channel. The Kiffness turned the song into a duet with a tropical vibe, and it went hugely viral, racking up 28 million views since its upload on December 16, 2022.
Rushawn was just 10 years old when he recorded the song on video at his Top Hill Primary School in St Elizabeth, Jamaica. The youngster has such a beautiful voice, and his sweet and sincere delivery of the song won him many fans around the world. Many content creators remixed his song, with The Kiffness version being one of the most popular. The song really changed Rushawn’s life, as the singer, who is now 17, signed a deal with Sony Music UK in 2023 with the help of Edwards.
Listeners were really moved by Rushawn’s performance, and added comments below The Kiffness video such as “I hope this kid knows how many smiles he is responsible for around the world” and “This kid is a lifesaver. I am in tears listening to his quiet optimism. Thanks for the genius of this gentleman.” The Kiffness noted in the video description that Rushawn is receiving performance royalties for his contribution to the hit video.
Although The Kiffness virtual collab was hugely popular, it’s not actually the highest viewed version of Rushawn’s classroom song. The most popular version of his performance is the Trinix remix, where the French electronic music producers created a unique beat to accompany Rushawn’s singing. No doubt part of the appeal of this version is that it really lets Rushawn’s vocals shine through a tasteful arrangement.
The Kiffness has produced many popular YouTube videos, and his collab with Rushawn is his second most popular to date. He told The Jamaica Gleaner that he has never met Rushawn in person, but noted that “We are planning a real-life union at some point.” The Jamaica Gleaner also spoke to the teacher who recorded the viral video. She explained the origin of the performance, saying, “When he started singing, the students would gravitate towards him, and that motivated him. He was bent on being the star performer in front of his personal audience.” “It’s a Beautiful Day” songwriter Jermaine Edwards signed a deal with Sony Music UK in 2023. The deal is designed to help Edwards maintain control over his music. The Music Man readers will be pleased to hear Rushawn also signed to Sony as part of the deal, which will ensure he receives royalties for his performances.
If you would like to hear more from the talented Rushawn Ewears, you can subscribe to his YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Follow him on Instagram for updates and insights into his musical journey.