Chronixx, known for his new school reggae roots songs was born on this day October 10, 30 years ago. Born Jamar McNaughton A.K.A Chronixx, the Jamaican reggae revival frontman who started out with a series of seminal hits from the Major Lazer’s “Start A Fyah” Mixtape in 2012. Chronixx has toured the United Kingdom, Africa and the U.S. with his Zincfence Redemption Band and he is one of the few artists from Jamaica to insists on never leaving his band when performing, as he redefines Reggae’s success metrics.
His debut EP, “Dread & Terrible”, was released in April 2014, is currently charting in 8 countries after peaking at number 1 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart upon its release.
Before releasing an album he scored a performance on the Jimmy Fallon show and pulled a huge crowd at a pop up Central Park concert.
Subsequently the EP reached number one on the Billboard Digital Reggae Singles chart according to data provided to World Music Views by Luminate formerly MRC Data. The EP spent 42 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Top Reggae Albums chart.
The Reggae Revival singer signed a publishing deal with Blue Mountain Publishing after impressing founder Chris Blackwell. The Island Records founder had good words Chronixx as far back as 2016 at the launch Rebel Salute in December. Blackwell said at the time, “I love Chronixx. I think Chronixx is an extraordinary talent. He has great rhyming, natural phrasing. That is a gift.”
That stamp of approval along with his consistent pre-pandemic releases has brought his much to every corner of the world and he is one of the most streamed reggae artist on Spotify.
Chronixx’s music has been in popular films and television shows, played in the clubs, and at hotels around the world in the last 5 years.
His album Chronology release 5 years ago is still charting in 14 countries on iTunes after debuting at number one on the Billboard Reggae charts and peaked at number 21 on the Sweedish albums chart. Pitchfork gave it an impressive 7.6 out of ten.
In speaking with World Music Views, Chronixx’s manager Daddi Barnz said, the wait for new music from Chronixx is almost over as the Likes deejay is currently putting on final touches to his new music.
“Chronixx is currently off the touring grid composing music for his upcoming rereleases. 2017 was his last project and he is actually finalizing to get his new body of work out soon”, he said.
Until then, here 5 must have Chronixx songs on your playlist.
Smile Jamaica
Smile Jamaica is featured at the beginning of Netflix’s Manifest, season 1 episode 16. The song sets the tone for the Jamaican beach scene. The series was originally aired on NBC in 2019, and has now become a popular binge on the international streaming network. The series is about a group of passengers on route from Jamaica who apparently transcended time by the time they landed. Smile Jamaica is also a feature song on the Netflix U.K. series Top Boy Season 3, Episode 1 (Revamped Season 1) titled “Bruk Up ” originally aired
Blaze Up The Fire
Likes, written and produced by Chronixx has surpassed 48 million views on YouTube and is one of his most radio played songs.
