For most of their near 30-year relationship, Shango Trex and StarFyah have worked professionally in several music-related projects. But it was not until this year that the Jamaican duo recorded a song together as Stashang.

‘Give My Heart’ was the collaboration that got them off the mark in March, followed one month later by ‘Where I Lay’. Both are uptempo, pop-reggae songs they hope will attract a diverse audience.

Shango Trex and StarFyah, who live in New York, met while working in Japan during the late 1990s. They later performed on Jamaica’s north coast, a training ground for many of reggae’s major acts including A. J. Brown, Mikey Spice and Benjy Myaz.

“It was a timing issue, but it worked itself out perfectly,” said Shango Trex of their belated professional debut. He added that ‘Give My Heart’ and ‘Where I Lay’ are team efforts.

“We build with our main producer. It’s a creative flow that sometimes starts with a vibe, a concept, or the energy from the beat itself.”

Last year, the couple decided to officially form a group and start recording songs that would comprise an album. Those singles would be released in quick succession in a bid to establish a following.

Prior to Stashang, the Kingston-born Shango Trex made his name in Japan, performing in clubs and working at a recording studio where he met StarFyah.

StarFyah was born in the United Kingdom to parents from Jamaica, but was raised in their homeland. She credits her time in Japan for widening her musical tastes, but says time spent on the tourist circuit put the edge on her live act.

“Doing live performances on the North Coast with Shango sharpened my stage skills which prepared me for what we’re doing now. Also, being immersed in the Japanese culture further enhanced my appreciation for different types of music,” said StarFyah.

Nothing, however, compares to the feeling of sharing the mic with her longtime partner, has been worth the wait.

“The love has been amazing — even more than we hoped for. We’re thankful for every stream, share, and message,” she said.