Chronixx unveils his new song and video, “COOL AS THE BREEZE/FRIDAY” a heartfelt dedication to his beloved Kingston, Jamaica.
The stream of releases continues as Chronixx builds anticipation for his forthcoming album Dela Splash via Soul Circle Music. The latest cut is produced by Pantha, who crafted a crisp, shimmery beat for Chronixx’s third single reveal from the LP.
Director Meji Alabi naturally reflects countless elements native to Jamaican culture in every frame of the music video. Chronixx seated in a floating armchair, is flanked by a fleet of motorcycles as they weave past pastel-colored buildings. Street parties featuring charismatic dancers are in sync to the rhythm of a vibrant sound system. Kids effortlessly pop wheelies on their bicycles. Jamaican oil-drums are grilling food. This is paradise – Jamaica – “where every day is summer, and every day feels like a Friday,” as Chronixx raves with enthusiasm on the song’s chorus.
“This tune is about everyday people of the world, but really a song about us in a Jamaican life that we live…making sure we have the right music, culture, and energy to keep our mind uplifted throughout the struggle and building a better life for ourselves. No matter the intensity of the heat, and no matter how hot the reality get, we still haffi remain cool as the breeze you now. It’s the balance of being able to go through all the different forces of life you know and stay up…it’s an upliftment song,” Chronixx shares about his latest anthem.
The U.S. broadcast premiere of the video aired on REVOLT TVon 22nd July 2020 at 9pm ET. Chronixx will also perform “COOL AS THE BREEZE/FRIDAY” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Mon. July 27.
Since the announcement of his second album Dela Splash in March, Chronixx has delivered three critical anthems. “Dela Move” was the first sample of Chronixx’s deeper exploration of his Rastafari beliefs mixed with motivational chants that echoed inspiration by Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks. “Same Prayer,” was the introspective follow-up that featured lyrical master Kabaka Pyramid. The celebratory tone of “COOL AS THE BREEZE/FRIDAY” shifts viewers’ mood to a sense of optimism, especially during this time as the world slowly recovers from the global pandemic.
The highly anticipated Pulse Jam Fest is happening this Saturday June 29th at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel gardens. The first edition of the new music festival will be headlined by Jamaican reggae superstar Chronixx and his band Zincfence Redemption.
Chronixx was born Jamar McNaughton in De La Vega City in Spanish Town, Jamaica. His father exposed him to music at an early age, and he took an interest in production, inspired both by reggae artists and hip-hop producers. During the past five years, Chronixx and a handful of associated artists (Protoje, Jesse Royal, Jah9 and Kabaka Pyramid) have become known as the “Reggae Revival” movement. They have sought to integrate modern dancehall with the foundations of Jamaican roots music sonically, and to highlight cultural themes in their lyrics. Currently Chronixx is one of the world’s top selling reggae acts and has been playing the biggest international music festivals such as Coachella, Glastonbury, SumFest and many more. Chronixx has quietly built his own movement that has positioned him as one of the biggest musical exports from Jamaica.
Chronixx returns to Uganda for the second time, he was last here in 2016 when performed at a sold out show at the Ndere Centre where he delivered impressive two hours live band performance that had the audience yearning for more.
The Pulse Jam Fest is the newest music festival to happen in Kampala city. The main stage will feature a heavy line up of some of Uganda’s top reggae/dancehall artists including Maddox Sematimba, Cindy Sanyu, Weasel, Beenie Gunter, Vampino, Nina Roz, Nutty Neithan and Raba Daba. The DJ stage will feature sets by Sir Aludah, Naselow, DJ Ciza, Deejay Jo, DJ King, Ras Brown and many others.
Gates open and entertainment starts as early as 12pm on Saturday afternoon. General tickets are on sale for 40k while VIP tickets are 100k. Tickets are available from the Sheraton Hotel lobby, Definition Shop, Yujo Shop, MTN Service Centres Acacia Mall and MTN Service Centre Forest Mall. Tickets are also available online at www.quicket.co.ug and via MTN Momo at *157*5#
The Pulse Jam Fest is presented by the leading entertainment & event company Talent Africa in partnership with the telecom giants MTN Uganda. The event is also sponsored by Bell Lager, Pepsi Cola, 97fm Radiocity, NBS Television and the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
Jamar Rolando McNaughton Jr, popularly known as Chronixx, Jamaican reggae artiste is set to perform in Kampala this year. Latest reaching our desk has it that he will be performing live in Kampala on 17th June 2016 at a yet to be confirmed venue. Talent Africa’s Aly Alibhai is behind his coming and he confirmed to us today.
Chronixx is coming to Kampala in June
“Uganda! It’s official. Chronixx from Jamaica will be performing live in Kampala on June 17th. The REGGAE REVIVAL is on with one of Jamica’s best reggae artists of the era. Save the date and stay tuned for more details. #KLALoveLiveMusic #TalentAfrica,” Aly Alibhai said.
Who is Chronixx?
Jamar Rolando McNaughton Jr (born 10 October 1992, popularly known as Chronixx, is a Jamaican reggae artist. His stage name replaced the name “Little Chronicle” which he was given because of his father, the singer “Chronicle”.
Chronixx and his music has been branded as a “Reggae Revival,” alongside other reggae musicians including Dre Island, Jah Bouks, Jah9, Protoje, Kelissa, Jesse Royal, Keznamdi and Kabaka Pyramid, his lyrical content revolves around themes of anti-war, romantic declarations and resiliency.
Early life
McNaughton began songwriting at an early age and his father Jamar McNaughton Sr, known professionally as “Chronicle”, began to nurture his musical aspirations. McNaughton wrote his first song, “Rice Grain”, at the age of 5. During an interview with Okay Player Chronixx spoke on his early life
“My music come from early beginnings, from childhood days. I used to sing at school, in church, and then my whole family sings. My diddy, Chronicle, caused me to be very exposed to music from a very tender age. That’s where the music started for me. Professionally now, that’s when I was in high school. I started producing. Making riddims. But the music go from then until now. When I was 15, 16 I started producing and it was a great vibe for me.”
He attended St Catherine High School in Spanish Town. He started his recording career at the age of 11, recording a Gospel track with producer Danny Browne (which was not released), and went on to provide harmony vocals for artists such as Lutan Fyah as well as beginning production work, creating rhythms used by artists such as Konshens. At the age of 14, he began producing and building riddims, including the Freezer riddim for Ice Box Records. In 2009 Chronixx’s brother died which led to him writing with Romaine ‘Teflon’ Arnett of Zincfence Records.
Career
His popularity grew throughout 2012, with significant airplay in Jamaica, and performances at festivals such as Reggae Sumfest and a show in December at the Tracks and Records nightclub/restaurant in Kingston, which was attended by Usain Bolt. He was featured on the Major Lazer-curated mixtape Start a Fire. In 2013 he had hits with “Smile Jamaica” and “Here Comes Trouble”, and he toured the United Kingdom (including a BBC 1Xtra concert in Leeds) and the United States with his Zincfence Redemption Band. In March 2013 he travelled to Kenya, where he has a large fanbase, as a Peace Ambassador during the country’s general election, and performed at the Tuka Rada Peace Concert in Nairobi. He again performed at Sumfest in 2013, in front of an audience of almost 10,000.
His EP, Dread & Terrible, was released on 1 April 2014, and topped the Billboard Top Reggae Albums charts on the week of 18 April. Prior to his promotion of the EP, Dread & Terrible had accumulated sales of 1,000 downloads in the US, following his appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show and his Central Park concert the EP saw significant gains selling 12,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan, earning a number two position on the Digital Reggae Singles chart. The EP returned to the number one spot on the Top Reggae Albums chart with total sales of 5,000 units, according to SoundScan. Before these high profile performances, the EP had moved just 400 units. By March 2015 the EP had spent 42 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Top Reggae Albums chart.
In May 2014 he won Culture Artist of the Year, Best New Artist, and Entertainer of the Year at the Linkage Awards in New York. In July 2014 he performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on US network NBC. He followed this with a concert in Central Park attended by over 5,000 people. In September 2014 he was nominated for a MOBO Award in the Best Reggae Act category. The following month he won awards for Best Song (for “Smile Jamaica”) and Best Music Video (for “Here Comes Trouble”) at the 33rd International Reggae & World Music Awards. He founded his own ZincFence Recordz production house along with producer Romain “Teflon” Arnett and co-producer/engineer Ricardo “Shadyz” Lynch. As well as Chronixx, ZincFence has produced hits by Jah Cure, Kabaka Pyramid, and Protoje, and had worked with Maverick Sabre, Mavado, and Nomaddz.
In January 2015, Chronixx appeared on “Belly of the Beast” a song which featured on American rapper Joey Badass debut album B4.Da.$$. In June 2015 Chronixx performed at the Glastonbury Festival as a part of a partnership with EE, the singers et was described as a “highlight” and was well received.
