Celebrating 15 years of Okayplayer & Federation Sound
Chronixx was the ‘stage’ name his friends bestowed on him, replacing the name ‘Little Chronicle’ he was given as the ‘junior’ to his father, the artist Chronicle. He was born October 10, 1992 and was named Jamar Rolando McNaughton. http://chronixxmusic.com/
His father, a musician, recognized his talents and nurtured him in an environment in which he could grow into whatever area of music he chose. Always accompanying him to the studio, Jamar grew up around the likes of Burro Banton, Norris Man and the legendary Gregory Isaacs. With a big smile and an engaging personality, he confidently set out to make his mark in music, by writing his first song ‘Rice Grain’ by the age of five and going on to be choir director and worship leader at 11. At 14 years, he started producing and ‘building riddims’ for artistes such as Konshens and Munga Honorable and composing riddims such as the ‘Freezer Riddim’ for Icebox Records and voicing artistes such as, Popcaan for Maverick Records. Today, Chronixx credits his versatility and his professional stage presence to the early lessons he received from his father Chronicle, who always shared his own experiences and encouraged his son to go one step beyond with each performance. Chronixx is not disappointing his father, his family or his friends who know that the ‘sky is the limit’ for this young man who sees ‘music as his mission.’
A Kingston, Jamaican native, Delroy “Junior” Reid spent his youth in the city’s Waterhouse district, notorious for being one of the most dangerous places in Jamaica. It was there in the politically turbulent late ’70s, that he recorded his first-ever single “Speak the Truth” at the age 13, taking his first step towards becoming an internationally known reggae and dancehall artist. Reid joined the first ever Grammy Awards Winning Reggae group, Black Uhuru, as lead singer in 1986 where his work on the album Brutal earned him a Grammy-nomination. However, Junior’s interest in producing material for himself, and desire to regain his domestic popularity, drove him into the solo arena and into his own studio where in 1989, “One Blood” saw him re-established at the forefront of the reggae scene. Today, Reid is a frequent collaborator and often sampled artist in today’s hip-hop scene, including contributing his voice to Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys, as well as working with the Wu-Tang Clan, Guru, The Game, M.I.M.S. and many more.
New York City’s Rice and Peas is a movement whose high energy party environment is home to a loyal following of creative influencers, artists, musicians, dancers and all around beautiful people. Since its inception in 2007, Rice and Peas has been bringing diverse groups of people together in a uniquely curated environment where dancehall and Caribbean culture meet downtown. A who’s who of reggae’s biggest stars like Wayne Wonder, Gyptian and Shaggy have called on Rice and Peas to do their exclusive release parties. Jamaica’s heavyweights Beenie Man, Mr. Vegas, Chronixx (and too many more to mention) have given impromptu performances— even multi-platinum artists like Sean Paul and Damian Marley party at Rice and Peas. Federation Sound’s own Max Glazer, LargeUp founder DJ Gravy, and the silent killer Orijahnal Vibez handle DJ duties while the ladies’ favorite East Flatbush badman, Micro Don, narrates the experience with raw energy, humorous ad-libs and infinite star power.