Kranium

Born Kemar Donaldson in Montego Bay, Jamaica, singjay Kranium was schooled in the ways of reggae in his teens, after a move to Miami brought him closer to his uncle/mentor, dancehall singer Screw Driver. Kranium first broke out in 2013 with the hit single "Nobody Has to Know," an independent release that attracted major labels. Atlantic talked to the artist in 2013 and came calling again in 2014; then, in 2015, Kranium joined Sean Paul and Wayne Wonder as one of the few reggae artists signed to a major label. Atlantic re-released "Nobody Has to Know" that same year while Kranium entered the studio with producer Ricky Blaze, a frequent Gyptian collaborator, to guest on his track "Overrated." Kranium's debut LP, Rumors, was issued later that year, yielding singles like "Stamina," Can't Give A...," and a Ty Dolla $ign and KickRaux-assisted version of his hit "Nobody Has to Know." "Can't Believe," another Dolla $ign collaboration that also featured WizKid, was released in early 2017. ~ David Jeffries