Yaksta Ft. Dre Tegs – Thankful

Yaksta’s Thankful with Dre Tegs lands like a snapshot of where he’s at right now: grateful, reflective, and still very much rooted in conscious reggae-dancehall. The song sits in the lane Yaksta has carved out over the last few years, where spiritual language, social observation, and plainspoken Jamaican grit all meet in one voice. That approach has been central to his rise since his debut album 22, and it’s part of why he’s become one of the more identifiable modern reggae voices coming out of St. Mary.

Dre Tegs is the producer name of Andre “Dretegs” Hawthorne, a Jamaican producer and musician who has built a steady reputation for thoughtful roots and reggae work, including Grammy-nominated production through Jesse Royal’s Royal album. He’s also been active from New York, working across projects with artists in the contemporary reggae space while keeping that live, musicians-first feel in the music. Bush Music, the label behind the release, is closely tied to Yaksta’s recent run and continues to function as the home base for his current era.

Thankful itself feels like a song designed to sit with the listener rather than rush past them. The title tells you the emotional center immediately, and Yaksta’s delivery matches that mood with a calm, grounded tone that suits gratitude more than triumph. Dre Tegs’ production gives it enough warmth and lift to stay moving, but the record leaves space for the vocals to carry the message. It’s the kind of cut that fits Yaksta’s catalogue naturally: conscious without being heavy-handed, personal without losing its wider appeal, and firmly in the modern reggae conversation without sounding overly polished or detached.

The release is set in 2026, and it arrives during a particularly active stretch for Yaksta, whose recent work has kept him visible through both solo statements and collaborations. With Thankful, he doubles down on the reason a lot of listeners have stayed with him in the first place: the man can turn real-life appreciation into a tune that feels lived-in rather than performed.