The following is an excerpt from the Journal of Shuzzr- Dancehall Review 2015.
It’s no secret that the world has lost confidence in Reggae & Dancehall music. In 2014, Dancehall gave the go ahead to an emerging voice, Kranium, who got his break into the music industry with the single “Nobody has to know”. The artiste track got huge traction internationally, and also garnered top recognition on the prestigious Billboard charts and others across the world.
The artiste also at the closing of the year managed to secure a deal with Atlantic Records which brags international clients such as Bruno Mars, Janelle Monae and David Guetta, amongst others. Atlantic is also the label that propelled Dancehall superstar, Sean Paul, to international super stardom. The Dutty Rock artiste album also went multi-platinum in the United States and also won him a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2004.
However, despite receiving the green light, Kranium, has yet to find another hit single. The million dollar question is, will he be the next Erup, Wayne Wonder, Tami Chin, or Mavado? Kranium released several other singles and videos throughout the year but didn’t manage to captivate the world as he did before. The artiste who don’t possess the musical repertoire yet to make it, might have entire into the deal prematurely and thus now tied to a contract to which he may have no control over his image, sound etc. stifling his growth and development.
Kranium despite his one hit single has yet to distinctly brand himself with a vast collection of music to make it on such a level. The artiste hasn’t fully developed his own fan base or image thus putting him in a position of uncertainty. It’s also rumored that it was a “deal with the devil” to which they only sought to cash in on the artiste rather than develop him.
The music industry is unpredictable and we still have a whole year ahead of us. If we should look at the artiste and his music it’s quite clear that he desperately searches for another hit. Until then, who knows…We await inevitable… One man against the world…Nobody has to know if you fail or succeed but,
The future isn’t written in stone Kranium. Though Art Weighed & Though Art Found Wanting.
The following was an excerpt from the Journal of Shuzzr, “The Writing on the Wall”
