In 2012 believe it or not, the very popular hit “They Don’t Know” was the birthing of his pure musical soul.
Nudged into the performance spotlight as Jamaica’s newest roots reggae star, he was content to humbly share his lyrical and production prowess privately from the chalice of natural creativity.
“I was working with Kellisa on her EP and realized how personal her songs were. I said I can’t make music like that because music is for everybody. Her response was: “how different are you from everybody else? They can see themselves through you. “
At the time: “I was going through a lot of things as part of my own musical journey. I went to Big Yard studio listened to the rhythm and I just started singing the lyrics for “They Don’t Know” from start to finish.” Chronixx recalled.
Challenged to bring out what he had on the inside to the fans he said: “I was never the sort of person to sing about me but “They Don’t Know “is a most universal song. In different places I have visited to perform and I had to change up my set, that song can never be left off my set, and I can’t sing it too early or too late” Chronixx said.
“It is just a song that shows you that you are not the only one going through stuff, and the song strengthens you.
A lot of people think that they are just regular persons suffering, but when they hear an artiste singing about it, it becomes a humanity thing” he explained.
Under the watchful expert eyes of his musician father Chronicles, Jamar “Chronixx” McNaughton has been absorbing the magnetic pull of music in the studio since age five.
Blessed with a sweet and beautiful voice and the inspiration to write hard-hitting relatable conscious lyrics his rising star recently sat atop the acclaimed Billboard Reggae chart.
“Dread and Terrible” Chronixx’s most anticipated album launched in April 2014 has been enjoying positive reception worldwide.
“The title of my album “Dread and Terrible” means whatever is good and pleasant to Mount Zion is dread and terrible to all those who hate Jah. We are the dread and terrible that people wished that we did not exist” Chronixx explained.
Noting his main musical influence as the late Dennis Brown Jamaica’s “Crown Prince of Reggae” Chronixx admitted: “Dennis Brown is my icon. He was dynamic in his music diversity and versatility. Dennis Brown sings rasta roots, unstoppable ballads. His voice is what I aspire to, where that element is compared. Our Jamaican musical roots are spread across the globe, and we are rooted in the earth influencing Rhythm and Blues, Blues and Jazz”.
Still young at 21 years old with a growing beard and dreadlocks, he was coaxed three years ago to trade in his pen and mixing board for the microphone by Zinc Fence Records producer Teflon Arnett.
However, he is not new to performance having been a choir director at the tender age of 14.
At age of eighteen, he performed at Wickie Wackie before making it to the bigger stages such as Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest.
Calling himself simply creator, creative and creation in a different manifestation Chronixx has an appreciation for the studio and the stage.
“I am a bit indecisive as to the stage and studio. I love both equally. I don’t love off-stage and off-studio.
Citing the challenge of having to deal with industry people, he explained: “not everybody notice that people have talent. The stage is like the studio the creative space to make music, and I try to make the stage as interesting as the studio. The studio is full of infinite possibilities, and you are not limited by your voice. If I don’t play an instrument I can get others to play.”
Speaking on his recent three week 22 city European tour in March 2014, Chronixx told Caribbean POSH “it was a very very good experience, and the tour featured Kellissa, Dre Island and the Zinc Fence Redemption Band going on the road, jumping on a bus doing 22 shows non-stop around Europe.”
Countries visited during the European tour included: Germany, Finland, Denmark, Austria, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands.
From his teen years he has been a steady force in creating hit-making rhythms, lyrics and first-class music production for various modern-day artistes from conscious artiste Luciano, to dancehall stars like Konshens, Mavado, Popcaan, and Vybz Kartel.
“I don’t sit down and write. I live and breathe music. It is always in my meditation and it always a joy to put your visions out to people.”
For me music is a lifestyle. Some people would rather to go to studio, perform to writing music. When music is your lifestyle it is a 24 hour thing where I breathe, eat and sleep music.”
Writing he said is “over-rated. Everybody is trying to write, sing and produce. It destroys the quality of the music. In life you have great singers and writers. Then you have singers who can write, and then you have great producers who can write and sing.”
Writing is a gift to put things into words and words into music. A lot of great singers are not getting too far because they are not good writers.
“How far can you go with a beautiful voice if the lyrics are not right?” he asked.
“I live a fairly relaxing life. My life is less stressed than the average person. Stress is a decision not an inevitable thing” he said.
Mature beyond his years, he believes in peer unity, hard work and dedication to achieve dreams.
“Jacob Miller and Bob Marley toured Europe together. Dre Island and myself did background vocals for Kelissa while on tour.
I think what is for you is for you. Life is powerful and is not unfair, and repays everybody who plants a seed and watches it grow” Chronixx said.
