Kranium: A ‘glitch in the dancehall matrix’

“I am a glitch in the matrix. ” For Kranium, the statement is more than a catchphrase. It is his unapologetic assessment of a career that has challenged conventional thoughts about what it takes to establish oneself in dancehall, particularly the long-held assumption that an artiste must be physically based in Jamaica to remain connected to the culture and build a successful career. Born in Jamaica, but based in New York, USA, for much of his professional journey, the Nobody Has to Know hitmaker has established an international presence while operating outside the island’s borders. And while he is not seeking recognition for changing the game, he believes the evidence of his impact is already there.

“I don’t just feel that way; I know it for a fact,” Kranium told the Jamaica Observer when asked whether he considers himself among the artistes who helped change perceptions about where a dancehall career can be built. “The facts and the history are there: I took dancehall music and cemented myself as a household name while living outside Jamaica. Unfortunately for those who withhold that information it is already written: Kranium is a glitch in the matrix,” he added. It is a confident position, but one Kranium believes his body of work supports. Attributing his success to more than just overcoming geographical barriers, the entertainer shared that he has had to tap into his creativity while ensuring he remained authentically himself. “I didn’t feel like I had to work twice as hard. What I had to do was create authentic, quality music and be real with myself,” he said. That commitment to authenticity has helped Kranium to cultivate a catalogue that includes songs that have received gold and platinum certifications across three major markets. For him, those milestones are…