From the very begin, Rik Jam (born as Ronaldo Ricketts) has been constructing one thing actual with producer Philip McFarlane. Not simply one other artist-producer linkup, however a strong basis that’s now prepared to talk for itself with the discharge of Rik’s debut album, The Genesis.
Written from real-life experiences and classes discovered alongside the best way, The Genesis marks a brand new chapter, not only for Rik as an artist, however for roots reggae’s subsequent wave. “This album represents each facet of my life,” Rik shared with World A Reggae. “It’s been a tough journey to get the place we must be. However we’ve acknowledged how impactful music is, and I do know reggae will help change the fashionable world, so the time is now.”
The mission is absolutely produced by McFarlane, who seemingly gave up his spot in EarthKry to pursue his producer path. Rik has stayed loyal to that imaginative and prescient from day one, one thing that stands out in distinction to others from the early Irie Yute camp who’ve drifted in numerous instructions. Their bond goes past music. “Being round Philip confirmed me what actual consistency and self-discipline appear to be,” Rik says. “He pushes me to be a greater model of myself, not simply in music, however in life.”
At World A Reggae, we’ve been following Rik Jam from his earliest releases with Philip, and it’s been a pleasure to witness his regular progress over the previous seven years, each in sound and presence.
Their journey collectively has taken them throughout the US and Europe, experiences that left their mark. “The love individuals present for my craft abroad actually conjures up me to maintain doing what I like probably the most, and that’s reggae,” Rik displays.
As for what retains him grounded in a fast-changing business? “The drive of each basis and fashionable reggae artistes pushes me,” he says. “And I exploit my very own life experiences to remain within the mindset I want, particularly on the laborious days.”
With The Genesis set to drop and a headline tour, alongside his bredda Dalwayne, on the best way, Rik has one piece of recommendation for the following era arising: “Keep constant, keep humble, and be your genuine self. I do know it’s laborious in a world filled with distractions, however with out effort, there’s no progress, and no generational stability.”
After years of groundwork, Rik Jam’s debut album really does justice to roots reggae, a uncommon feat in a time when many fashionable Jamaican tasks lean closely on hip-hop influences. Whereas even Rik nods to that shift with tracks like “Cry Blood” and “Troubled Streets”, which, in my humble opinion, really feel barely misplaced on an in any other case cohesive album, The Genesis stays deeply rooted within the basis sound.
With a voice that some liken to Chronixx, Rik brings unique roots vibes in a extra modern approach. From the opening, a correct intro identical to again within the day, to the closing observe, my fave “Hail the King’, Rik retains it rootsy with a considerably dreamy, reflective tone all through. Would have liked to have an Outro on the album, too, to shut it off correctly.
We advocate giving The Genesis a pay attention; it’s a breath of contemporary air from Jamaica! Rik Jam is at present on tour in Europe, so once you get an opportunity to see him, achieve this.
By Danny Creatah
