The Evolution of Chronixx: Reggae Revival’s Modern Icon
Jamaican reggae artist Chronixx (Jamar McNaughton) has emerged as a torchbearer of modern roots reggae, revitalizing the genre with youthful energy and conscious artistry Rising from Spanish Town with a “honeyed voice” and hypnotic offbeat grooves, he spearheaded the 2010s “Reggae Revival” movement alongside peers like Protoje, Jah9, and Kabaka Pyramid.
Chronixx’s music offers a fresh take on traditional reggae, blending nostalgic roots rhythms with innovative production and genre-blurring influences. As both a singer and producer, he fuses powerful messages with contemporary sounds, crafting a signature style that has captivated hardcore reggae fans and new global audiences alike. This evolution of Chronixx, from talented newcomer to cultural icon, is a journey defined by unique musical innovation, conscious lyricism, and a passionate commitment to keeping reggae globally relevant.
Chronixx’s Signature Sound – Roots Meets Innovation
From the outset of his career, Chronixx cultivated a signature sound that marries roots reggae’s warmth with eclectic modern influences. While steeped in the classic reggae tradition of bass-heavy riddims, one-drop drumbeats, and melodic offbeat guitar strums, he refuses to be boxed into a single genre.
“I personally can’t see the difference sometimes… the heartbeat remains the same,” Chronixx has said, noting that Jamaican music has always drawn from diverse styles. Indeed, his debut album Chronology (2017) showcased what he dubbed “black experimental music,” rich with elements of gospel, funk, ska, and even electronic music layered atop the reggae foundation. This myriad of influences is no accident – coming from a musical family (his father is singer Chronicle), Chronixx grew up absorbing everything from vintage reggae and dancehall to American soul and jazz.
Chronixx’s production approach brings a futuristic twist to classic reggae, yielding songs that sound both familiar and novel. For example, his single “Safe N Sound” (2021) put a “psychedelic, futuristic twist on classic reggae” while delivering a timely social message.
He often co-produces his tracks (with partners like Teflon Zincfence), experimenting with drum machines, synths, and studio effects, yet maintaining an organic roots vibe. Tracks like “Skankin’ Sweet” carry “vibrant orchestral arrangements” and timeless soul influences, whereas “Likes” integrates a dancehall edge and electronic sheen to comment on social media culture. Even as he innovates, Chronixx’s reverence for roots is clear – in Chronology, he wove “sonic threads that tell the story of the Jamaican sound,” from ska to reggae to dub.
His vocal style further defines his sound: a smooth, soulful tenor that can croon romantic melodies or fire off rapid DJ-style verses. Critics have likened his voice to reggae greats – “Nicodemus, The Heptones and Cocoa Tea all in one,” delivering performances that feel refreshingly soulful and “timeless”. Whether he’s riding a classic one-drop rhythm or a modern afrobeat-infused groove, Chronixx’s sonic fingerprint is unmistakable – rootsy, organic, and boldly innovative.
Lyrical Themes – Conscious Messages of Rasta, Love & Revolution
While Chronixx’s beats draw people in, it’s his lyrics and messages that truly define his artistry. As a proud Rastafarian and conscious songwriter, Chronixx weaves spiritually charged and socially aware themes through almost every song. His lyrical themes range from Rastafarian beliefs and African identity to social justice, resilience, and love.
In true reggae tradition, he often assumes the role of a young prophet speaking truth to power and spreading positivity. For instance, his breakout hit “Here Comes Trouble” (2013) was an anthem announcing “a modern-day David” rising up. A call for righteous revolution infused with Rastafari references (shouting out “Selassie I” and Marcus Garvey’s prophecy).
This anti-oppression, anti-“Babylon” stance is a recurring motif in Chronixx’s catalog. Songs like “Capture Land” directly tackle the legacy of colonialism. rRiffing on Garvey’s idea that Jamaica (and the Americas) are “captured land” and envisioning spiritual repatriation to Africa. Through such tracks, Chronixx asserts pride in African identity and urges listeners to remember their roots beyond the colonial past.
Chronixx’s Rastafarian faith imbues many of his songs with spiritual and philosophical depth. He even named his charity the Caring Hands of Rastafari Foundation highlighting how his Rasta livity (lifestyle) guides his actions in uplifting the community. This spiritual foundation goes hand-in-hand with Chronixx’s emphasis on social justice and upliftment.
He has a penchant for writing “resiliency” anthems that encourage perseverance against hardship
Another central theme is love – both romantic and universal. Chronixx balances militant “fire bun” lyrics with gentle love songs and uplifting affirmations. On “Skankin’ Sweet,” one of his most popular tracks, he soothingly reminds listeners that “for every pain, there’s a melody” and every burden can be lightened through music and love.
The song radiates joy and gratitude, becoming an anthem of positivity streamed tens of millions of times worldwide. Similarly, “Majesty” is a tender homage to his “queen” that doubles as a nod to Empress Menen (wife of Emperor Selassie) – blending romantic love with Rasta devotion. Chronixx’s lyrical repertoire also explores everyday struggles and triumphs.
Impact on Reggae – Revival Leader and Global Influencer
Chronixx’s rise coincided with a renaissance in roots reggae music. By the early 2010s, Jamaica’s music scene was dominated by dancehall’s digitized beats and edgy lyrics, while traditional roots reggae had receded from the mainstream. Chronixx was among a group of young artists determined to “proudly revisit their country’s musical history,” sparking what came to be known as the Reggae Revival.
Hailed as “the leader of Jamaica’s roots revival” by the time he was in his early twenties, Chronixx brought global attention back to conscious reggae music. His early mixtapes and the breakthrough Dread & Terrible EP (2014) topped international reggae charts and stayed on Billboard’s Top 10 for an astonishing 42 weeks. This commercial success, achieved with socially conscious roots music, signaled that reggae still had a powerful worldwide audience.
When Chronixx appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in July 2014, performing “Here Comes Trouble” for millions of viewers, it was more than just a personal milestone; it felt like a triumph for reggae as a whole. The buzz even prompted Fallon himself to visit Jamaica, having become a fan. Suddenly, media outlets were dubbing Chronixx “reggae’s next superstar,” and fans saw him as a successor to Bob Marley’s legacy of international roots-reggae ambassadorship.
Beyond commercial wins, Chronixx’s artistic impact is evident in how he inspired a wave of younger artists. A perfect example is Koffee, the Grammy-winning reggae youth star, who cites Chronixx (and Protoje) as the reason she began making music. “It was Chronixx… who inspired Koffee to begin recording,” the New Yorker noted, explaining that as a teen she was captivated by Chronixx’s and Protoje’s “righteous ideologies and their musical styles.” By inviting her on stage early in her career and consistently uplifting other newcomers, Chronixx has actively mentored and opened doors for the next generation.
Artists like Lila Iké, Sevana, and Jesse Royal, all part of reggae’s new wave, have shared stages and tours with Chronixx, benefiting from the heightened global spotlight he’s shone on Jamaican music. His influence even extends beyond reggae: Chronixx has collaborated with international acts from Major Lazer and Joey Bada$$ to Yussef Dayes, blending reggae with hip-hop, jazz, and afrobeat.
These genre-crossing projects further cement reggae’s relevance in the broader music landscape and attract new listeners to the genre. DJ Max Glazer observed that a Chronixx concert unites diverse crowds under the banner of reggae’s positive vibrations. Indeed, Chronixx’s headlining shows at major festivals, from Reggae Sumfest and Glastonbury to upcoming Reggae Land 2025, draw veteran reggae enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike. His presence at such events signals that roots reggae is not a relic of the past, but a thriving, evolving force in contemporary music.
Critics and industry figures acknowledge Chronixx as one of the most influential voices in modern reggae.He has shown that messages of unity, African pride, and spiritual awareness can resonate in today’s world just as strongly as in the 1970s. By honoring foundation artists (he often pays homage to Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown in interviews and covers) while pushing creative boundaries, Chronixx strikes a masterful balance between continuity and disruption in reggae.
Thanks to him and his revival compatriots, there’s a renewed global appetite for reggae bands, vinyl records, and live band performances with real instruments, even in an age of digital music production. Reggae music and culture have cycled back into international consciousness, and the evolution of Chronixx from a Spanish Town youth to an international reggae figurehead is a major driving force behind this revival.
Recent Chapters (2024–2025): Creativity, Tours and Activism
As of 2024–2025, Chronixx continues to expand his artistry and influence, albeit at his own deliberate pace. Known for favoring “quality over quantity” in releases, he spent the early 2020s largely off the radar, focusing on personal growth (including becoming a father).
In terms of new music, Chronixx has been relatively sparing but impactful. He surprised listeners in late 2023 with “Pon Di Plaza,” a soulful collaboration with British jazz-drummer Yussef Dayes. The track is a reflective reggae ballad that finds Chronixx waxing nostalgic about “hustling pon di plaza with grandma” and chronicling his journey from obscurity to fame.
Fans have also been buzzing about his long-teased second album Dela Splash. Originally expected a few years ago, this project, named after his Spanish Town hometown of De La Vega City, remains unreleased as of 2025, but Chronixx has dropped hints that he’s perfecting it. Songs like the Afrocentric “Dela Move” (2020) and the prayerful “Same Prayer” (with Kabaka Pyramid) were likely sneak peeks into the album’s direction. While no release date is confirmed, the appetite for new Chronixx music is huge; Reddit threads and reggae forums bristle with “can we have another album? I miss Chronixx” sentiments. His careful approach suggests that when Dela Splash finally arrives, it will be a polished gem aligning with his vision of musical upliftment.
The Journey Continues
From his early days singing in Spanish Town’s church and studios to igniting international stages, the evolution of Chronixx is a testament to the enduring power of reggae when refreshed by new voices. His signature blend of classic roots and experimental flair has not only given reggae a modern face but also a beating heart that resonates across the world. Chronixx’s lyrics carry forward Rastafarian wisdom and social conscience, offering love and upliftment in a time that desperately needs it. He has re-energized the genre’s veterans and inspired teenagers to pick up guitars and notepads, to grow locks and wear reggae-inspired products as badges of pride. (It’s no coincidence that as Chronixx’s popularity surged, so did the sight of young fans in vintage Bob Marley tees, red-green-gold beanies, and “Jamrock” merch, embracing the culture he champions.) Through innovation and devotion, Chronixx ensured that reggae’s flame not only stayed lit but burns brighter than ever. Passionate, informative, and deeply rooted, his journey affirms that reggae is more than music. it’s a movement, one that Chronixx is leading into the future with firm steps and a soulful song. Jah live!