Elliphant (Sweden), Jovi Rockwell (Jamaica), Major Lazer (USA) - Too Original

Elliphant (Sweden), Jovi Rockwell (Jamaica), Major Lazer (USA) - Too Original

Too Original by Major Lazer, featuring Elliphant and Jovi Rockwell, is a sun-soaked celebration of individuality and unfiltered joy that bursts from the speakers with dancehall-fueled vitality. Hailing from Jamaica’s reggae legacy, Major Lazer—led by Diplo alongside collaborators Jillionaire and Walshy Fire—infuses the track with Caribbean rhythms and electronic swagger, weaving together the voices of Sweden’s Ellinor “Elliphant” Olovsdotter and the charismatic presence of Jovi Rockwell into a vibrant tapestry of global sound. Released in 2015 as part of their Peace Is the Mission album, the song stands out as an upbeat anthem inviting listeners to shed inhibitions and embrace their unique shine.

As Elliphant, Jovi Rockwell and Major Lazer remind us: Shine bright, dance wildly, and never dim your light just to fit in.

Too Original is a kaleidoscope of party imagery and expressive freedom. The opening callouts—“Kingston massive, we ready? London massive, we ready? Trinidad massive…”—span continents, affirming a universal invitation to dance and unite. Lyrics like “Dance like a chicken, flap tiger wild” and “I just wanna shine, just like diamonds inna the sky” champion unbridled self-expression, pairing whimsy with empowerment. The refrain “Too original fi dem pawdie, dem frighten when dem saw mi” speaks to how authenticity can intimidate the status quo, reinforcing the song’s celebration of being unapologetically oneself.

Get the full lyrics HERE.

The track rides a hypnotic 128 BPM dancehall groove crafted with Major Lazer’s signature blend of crisp percussion, rolling bass, and heady electronic drops. The production incorporates elements of Caribbean EDM, with funky synth breakdowns that drop in after vocal passages to heighten the party energy. Elliphant’s spirited vocals and Jovi Rockwell’s rhythmic lines dovetail neatly with the driving backdrop, making each stanza feel like a lift-off into celebration.

The music video—directed by Tim Erem—is a kaleidoscopic carnival of dance and expression. Featuring tuba players, choreographed dancers, and vibrant costumes, the video captures a multicultural celebration that mirrors the song’s global call-and-response spirit. A standout Easter egg is the appearance of a tuba player—nicknamed “Tuba Tommy”—highlighted in the credits, nodding to the song’s brass-infused undercurrent and Major Lazer’s playful attention to musical detail.

Too Original was released just ahead of the Caribbean carnival season in 2015, timed to become a summer anthem. Elliphant, hailing from Stockholm, brought her edgy, destabilizing vocal style after being discovered at a dancehall gig, while Jovi Rockwell, new to Major Lazer’s roster, added a fresh, spirited energy. The collaboration’s multicultural roots and the video’s art direction by John Hwang situate the track as both a musical and visual party statement—unashamedly bold, inclusive, and original.

Too Original is more than just a dance track—it’s a manifesto of self-celebration, cultural fusion, and unfiltered joy. From the catchy chant to the tuba-laced breaks, and from the international vocals to the vibrant festival visuals, it invites everyone to join in and own their originality. As Elliphant, Jovi Rockwell and Major Lazer remind us: Shine bright, dance wildly, and never dim your light just to fit in.