Prepare to be swept away by the mesmerizing melodies and lyrical prowess of one of Jamaica's most illustrious rising stars in the world of dancehall and reggae—none other than the sensational Knaxx, our BPM Spotlight Artist of the Week! Born as Ramone Mitchell, Knaxx isn't merely a recording artist; he's a musical maestro who's causing seismic ripples in the music realm.
Knaxx doesn't just create music; he embodies it. His guiding ethos, encapsulated in the resonant chant of 'Knaxx Dem,' transcends mere words—it's a profound way of life. For Knaxx, it's an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, a tireless commitment to artistry, and an unwavering dedication to achieving brilliance in every note and lyric.
Embark with us into the enchanting world of Knaxx, where you’ll discover a masterful musical storyteller. With each composition, he artfully weaves a palette of emotions and relatable experiences, beckoning you on a transcendent auditory voyage deeply entrenched in the rich tapestry of reggae and dancehall culture.
Join us on this exhilarating expedition as we uncover the vibrant universe of Knaxx, an artist poised not merely to make a mark but to etch his legacy in the annals of the music industry. From his thought-provoking messages to the spellbinding harmonies, Knaxx's music stands as a resounding testament to the boundless power of artistry and unwavering dedication. Brace yourself to be not just captivated and inspired but wholly enchanted by an artist who is singlehandedly redefining the very essence of the genre.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BPM: Can you recall a moment in your life when you realized that music was your true calling? What led you to pursue it as a career?
Knaxx: When I realized that working for people didn’t spark my interest anymore, I quit the job and focused more on music, I started pursuing it as a career when I noticed how popular and influential my music and my personality were to others.
BPM: You grew up in Waterford, St Catherine. How has the local culture and environment influenced the stories and themes in your music?
Knaxx: I can say it has influenced a lot in our everyday life—the things we see each day, both the good and the bad; it's just basically what we sing about.
BPM: Your music has been described as a fusion of various genres like trap dancehall and even R&B. Can you share a specific moment or experience where this fusion led to the creation of a song that felt truly unique and exciting to you?
Knaxx: I’m really a dancehall & reggae artist still, but now and then, we cross over with time and music. Knaxx “Sunflower” on the Xesperience EP, produced by Weekday Tru Ambassador, is one of the songs I would say is exciting to me because of how I define the sunflowers knowing I’m referring also to a lovely female.
BPM: In an industry that's constantly evolving, how do you stay true to your artistic vision while also staying relevant to your audience?
Knaxx: First, stay true to yourself and keep your fans in tune by giving them content, socializing, and staying consistent.
BPM: Many artists follow unique rituals or routines before hitting the stage or the recording studio. Is there something special you do to get in the right mindset for your performances or sessions?
Knaxx: Normally I would pray and ask God to set the mood right, or sometimes I do a small rehearsal in mind. If not, it’s just work at your best for me.
BPM: The dancehall community has a global following. Can you share your thoughts on the importance of connecting with fans from different parts of the world and how it has shaped your career?
Knaxx: Looking into your streams, if you’re not traveling, it will show you which songs the world loves and is currently listening to. This automatically helps you understand where the love is coming from and how to connect more with them. For instance, you can simply engage with fans worldwide by liking a picture or video.
BPM: “Tawch Up,” produced by Jungle Jesus Entertainment, garnered significant attention for you a couple of years ago. Can you delve into the creative process behind that track? What was the driving force behind its infectious energy?
Knaxx: The song came about when Jungle Jesus sent me a couple of riddims to choose from. I voiced two of them and told him that I was only feeling “Tawch Up” at the time because of the vibes created around the song in the studio and whenever someone listened. He replied with the same energy, and from there we got the song mixed and linked up with KD Visuals. He was also amazed by the creativity of how everything was put together and the sound the song has, Afterwards, we shot the video and released the song “Tawch Up,” one of the big songs for Knaxx, which accumulated 179,000 YouTube streams and #14 on trending for one week.
BPM: Having Alkaline supporting your career is impressive. Can you share a memorable or unexpected piece of advice or insight that Alkaline has provided to help you navigate the music industry?
Knaxx: More than impressive, Alkaline is one of the biggest faces of dancehall, if not the biggest. Just to look at the work he has put in throughout the years and the support towards the industry, anyone would feel elated knowing Alkaline is a part of supporting them, likewise is management, Kereena Beckford. But yeah, knowing Alkaline, he’s always going to tell you to just work. Anything you put out is what you receive.
BPM: Dancehall culture often intertwines with social and political themes. How do you see the role of dancehall artists in addressing important issues and shaping conversations in society?
Knaxx: There’s a way to address these situations, like voicing certain concerns, educating, trying to change the narrative of wrongdoing, and changing how we sing about certain things, knowing it’s influential to others.
BPM: Collaborations are a significant part of the music industry. Can you share some insights into what makes a collaboration successful, and do you have any memorable experiences from working with other artists?
Knaxx: A proper body of work to structure the song properly and promote it will make it successful. I think, my memorable experience is when I was in the studio with Alkaline working on a song called “Riches.” It was a joyful experience.
BPM: Technology has changed the way music is produced and consumed. How do you think these changes have impacted the dancehall genre, and what opportunities do they offer for artists today?
Knaxx: I would say our new creation of apps and services gives us an easier way to connect with people throughout the world, like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and also offers artists the opportunity to be what they want.
BPM: As an artist, you often pour your emotions and experiences into your music. Are there any songs in your discography that hold a particularly special or personal meaning for you? If so, why this song?
Knaxx: Knaxx “Thoughts,” produced by Hipriority Records. Just the title shows you how much things are on my mind and singing about my life and situations.
BPM: Looking ahead, what's one dream collaboration you have in mind that you'd love to pursue in the future, and why do you believe it would be a game-changer for your career?
Knaxx: A collaboration with dancehall artists like Spice or Shenseea, who haven't had many collaborations with male artists, would certainly expand my audience to a wider scale, especially considering their strong fan bases. Additionally, if we were to collaborate with Alkaline, it would certainly be something to look out for.
BPM: If you had the chance to perform on any stage in the world, whether it's a legendary music festival or a historic venue, where would it be, and what would be your dream performance scenario?
Knaxx: I would love to perform in Africa, or one of the biggest festivals in the USA, Coachella.
BPM: As you continue to evolve as an artist, can you share a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or creative directions you're excited to explore with your music to your fans and our readers?
Knaxx: You can look out for some collaborations from your favorite artist, as well as videos, interviews, and the creation of a body of work for my third EP coming soon.
As we conclude this captivating interview with Knaxx, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our readers for their continued support. Stay tuned for next week's spotlight artist, as we continue to bring you the best and brightest talents from the world of music.
.
.
.
Photo Credits: Nix Studios
Stay connected with Knaxx on social media platforms @Knaxxmusic
For Bookings and Info:
Kereena Beckford
Entertainment Manager / CEO
New Era Productions/Xclusive Management
1876-413-9501/917-870-5350
Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Watch “Nobody Know”
Watch “Big Food”
Watch “Tawch Up”
Watch “Thoughts”