Walk us through the events that led up to your being an artist?
It all started around the end of 2012 while I was working at a major financial institution in Kingston. One of my co-workers named Capone happened to also be a very talented producer. At that time I wasn’t even thinking of being an artiste, I mean, I had always been a fan of music but I never had any thoughts of it actually being a career for me. Capone and I eventually started getting closer and vibing musically then we went back to his base and he played me some beats and I ended up just freestyling all night. From that moment it started, I didn’t even know what exactly was starting, but we just kept linking up recording, vibing and freestyling everyday after work and that led to us starting a label and putting out music. We started out with small USB mics with a sock over it for recording, the mic stand was a hanger, but It grew from there and is now blossoming into Blvk H3ro going 4 years now.
You’ve said before that you learned more from music than school, care to elaborate?
School definitely teaches you things like socializing and preparing you to work for the systems that are in place, but music gives an in-depth look into life as a whole, whether the life of the musician or the world around it. Music to me was like audio books or movies where I could sit in my room in Jamaica and teleport all over the world and learn different cultures. Even topics that school doesn’t do a deep dive into like Rastafari or Africa are things I am still learning about through music. Bob Marley teaches me about Rastafari, Fela Kuti teaches me about Africa and Vybz Kartel teaches about the streets. Life just comes across a lot better through music, the sounds & vibrations connect with us easier than traditional curriculum.
Some of your songs have a Hip Hop vibe to them, who were some of your Hip Hop musical influences?
I started from Hip Hop, well Gospel and Hip Hop. My mom and dad are Christians so Gospel was really the first genre I was introduced to but Kirk Franklin fused Hip Hop sounds into his productions and that definitely sparked my interest in the genre. Plus my aunts & uncles used to play a lot of Hip Hop growing up so it was always around. I’m a real fan of Hip Hop Music in general so it’s hard to pinpoint one specific person or group that really influenced my sound but definitely I’d say the New Jack Swing era with Montell Jordan and Nate Dogg, also Boom-bap with Digable Planets and even now the Trap sounds still inspire me. I just love how hip hop accepts change but I have to mention KRS One, Kanye West and some Neo-Soul artists like Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill as My faves and the most influential in my life.
Does Anime influence your music?
Yes, definitely. Most animé follows one person, a hero, who must overcome trials and obstacles to reach their goal/goals whether it’s a bad guy or just life and for me that’s super relatable and there are some real morals and insight that can be found.
What countries have you performed in?
Definitely Jamaica, and this year I also played the Reggae Geel Festival in Belgium and Reggae Jam Festival in Germany. I’m Looking forward to performing in the US, Canada, South America in the near future. World look out for Blvk H3ro!
How was Europe?
It was MINDBLOWING. The different cultures, cuisine, fashion and just the overall vibrations of the space really made an impact on me. I also got to see the true impact of Jamaican culture on the world. I was in awe while performing because the people loved the music in a special way, even when they didn’t understood the words. That showed me how music helps to break down the barriers in human existence.
How did you link up with Major Lazer?
It was in 2013 or 2014, Walshy Fire & Diplo were at Big Yard studio in Kingston working with Chronixx on his “Start a Fyah” mixtape. My brethren Takunda called me and said Major Lazer wanted to meet because they heard a remix I had one on their ‘Get Free’ riddim Called “My Story”. He played it for them and they loved it so I went there and just ended up vibing with them and seeing the process behind the scenes of the Project with Chronixx.
You recently performed at the JAMATHON Celebrity Hurricane Relief Fundraiser, longside artists like Sizzla, Beres, Sean Paul and so many top stars, how was that experience?
Wow! Firstly I have to give thanks to the Caribbean Love Now team for embarking on such an amazing initiative. It was an honour to be a part of it because I believe in using my talents for good and that the reason I was given these gifts in the first place is to do just that! The experience was a great highlight for me on a personal level. To be invited to share the stage with so many of the greats I grew up listening to was a great privilege for me. I learnt so much from that experience I can’t even put it all into words.
How do you feel about the Reggae Grammy nominations that were just announced?
I’m very pleased to see Chronixx right there among the greatest of this genre. It signals to the world that it is time to pay serious attention to this young generation of artistes. Respect to all of the nominees for how they proudly representing Reggae on a global scale.
When can we expect some new music from you?
At the top of the new year. My first LP is being released in early 2018. 13 Tracks. It’s going to be a FREE album. “Feet Don’t Fail” is already out and it’s the lead single from that project.
