For men who show up without fanfare, Ancel Maloney’s “Salute” feels like a much-needed pat on the back — a hip-hop gospel release centring on fathers, stepfathers and mentors in families and communities.
Musically, Ancel flows with confidence. His delivery is conversational yet rhythmic, packed with punchlines and quotable lines. He spent a full month carefully crafting the lyrics. He mapped out tributes to men in the first verse and shared personal reflections about his own father in the second before tying the bars together.
“The beauty of the gospel is that it can be delivered in different formats,” he tells We Life & Culture. “Jesus spoke about fish around fishermen, he spoke about sheep around farmers, he used a language that the people of that time can understand. Hip Hop is a language that people understand today.”
Salute stands as a rare homage. Ask someone to name five songs that speak specifically to positive fatherhood off the top of their head, and many would struggle. This void is one reason Ancel wrote the track, his fifth single. The other was a series of online discussions where he felt men were not being fairly represented.
“I saw some pushback against an article on social media, which didn’t show men in a positive light for International Men’s Day. Since I have been connected with great men and strive to become one myself, I decided to write a tribute just to say ‘I see your work and efforts and I salute you!’ I hope this song encourages others to also salute the men who have helped to shape their lives positively.”
As a father of three himself, Ancel knows the weight he is rapping about. He describes fatherhood as “one of the most rewarding and taxing projects I have undertaken.” He says men thrive on genuine appreciation, something he was intentional about including in the lyrics. “If he is consistent day in, day out, he should be celebrated day in, day out. If you see a good man, doing a good job, take a moment to acknowledge and salute him.”
And what about those who fall short? Ancel has a message for them, too. “God’s design for families is perfect. He created man and woman to share the responsibility of raising children. When you, as a man, do not do your part, it affects the family, the community, and the nation.”
Not familiar with the name Ancel Maloney? Here’s a quick history lesson. He has six gospel tracks under his belt and has worked with the late calypso icon Denyse Plummer. He initially approached her about using the chorus from her hit calypso “Nah Leaving” for his 2020 project “Too Good.” She agreed on the condition that the song be reworked into an inspirational testimony reflecting her new path as a Christian artiste. That collaboration eventually led to “Cyah Leave Him.” “She was so cool to work with and I thank God for that experience. See you in Heaven, Auntie Denyse!”
Music has been close to Ancel’s heart since he was a child growing up in a home where the radio stayed on 24/7. His mother sang in church and his father played the drums, so he picked up both skills eventually. He was in the Curepe Pentecostal Kids’ Choir, Precious Voices, from around age six, and began writing his own songs at 11 before his radio debut in 2015 with the track “Good Morning.”
Ancel, who credits the strong male models in his life, especially his dad, Gordon Maloney, for the man he has become, has been on a radio tour introducing “Salute” to listeners on stations including Sky 99.5 FM. He hopes the song, released on June 6, will be part of national Father’s Day conversations, with its message resonating long after.
“Salute” by Ancel (use as sidebar)*
Now my moms are great too, (that’s a fact)
But having a dad that cares, you can’t really beat that
Big chat from lesser men who don’t show up
So y’all who are present, you all get full props
You’re stronger, smarter, braver than you recognise
We cannot deny the major role y’all play in our lives
We appreciate the sacrifice and selflessness
Don’t worry about the mistakes, Dad, you got this!
Whether you’re working with your hands or lead a company
Ten doctorates or learned experientially
The knowledge that you possess sure is a necessity
We love you, respect you, and honour you, Daddy
Chorus:
“Salute” to the fathers, kings on the throne
“Salute” to the priests prayer covering your homes
“Salute” to the prophets speaking life over the fam
“Salute” to you men doing the best you can
[REPEAT]
Verse 2:
Now I’m so blessed, I get to be fathered by one of the best
A walking testimony of God’s grace, Yes!
He makes the Christian life look so effortless
Not perfect, nah he’s faltered before
Even he would admit he got it wrong for sure
But when he saw his mistakes, realised his flaws
He was quick to apologise, so mature
Never saw him drunk or high, my mom, he never beat
Ask about him, his name is good in these streets
Help raise three kings, talk about a legacy
How you think our wives and children gon’ be?
So, work like it depends on you, pray like it depends on Him
Seek God first and you must win
Wise words from my daddy
For all you daddies
We love you daddy
(Bless ya!)
Salute to the fathers
kings on the throne
Chorus: (x2)
