Photo Credit: Neil Anthony Watson
Today, fast-rising visionary artist King Cruff delivers “VIGILANTE”, he freshest addition to his growing catalogue of genre-blending creations, via Tuff Gong Collective/Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company.
Produced by JUNO-nominated duo Just Ideas (LAVI$H, Dom Vallie) and Dyse, “VIGILANTE” embodies the poetic lyricism, vibrant rhythms, and innovative soundscapes that define King Cruff’s artistry. Its lyrical storytelling flexes his creative confidence and sense of purpose:
“Don’t get it twisted
I’m di new franchise
Black owned business
Can’t get my hands tied
Dem want evict me
Bask in my sunlight
They can’t eclipse me
I can do it all
I’m a renaissance man
I’m di dark-skinned Da Vinci
Melanin mystic”
“When I went into the studio, I had the word ‘vigilante’ in mind,” says King Cruff. “I wanted to challenge myself to build a song around that word and the energy of being up against something and having to prove yourself. So that’s why in this track, I perform the verses with a stealthy vocal approach that evolves into a strong execution.” King Cruff describes working with Just Ideas and Dyse as, “absolute mayhem. We have such a similar vision that it’s easy to come out with tracks that rock. The mandem are versatile, they can do pretty much everything.”
Blending elements of hip-hop, dancehall, reggae and funk, King Cruff’s sound is at once inventive and immortal. Weaving intricate hip-hop bars with the philosophical lyrics and cathartic rhythms of reggae, King Cruff (Solomon Marley-Spence) is carving his own path and building his own legacy.
As King Cruff takes his spirited live performances to festival stages, his recent single “PROPPA GHANDA” continues to climb the Top 40 radio charts. Featuring Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated duo Banx & Ranx, the summer smash pairs their hit-making hooks with King Cruff’s think-piece style lyrics. “PROPPA GHANDA” is the second of King Cruff’s songs that Banx & Ranx have produced, following the dancehall/reggae track “FALLBACK”, his collaboration with fellow Jamaican artist Runkus which was named one of Billboard’s Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks of the Month.
About King Cruff:
Canadian-Jamaican artist King Cruff (Solomon Marley-Spence) was born with the talents of songwriting and performance in his blood. An introspective storyteller, he sees his songs as think pieces set to ‘punky’ rhythms. Drawing on his audio engineering background, the versatile King Cruff fuses genres across the diaspora including hip-hop, Afrobeats, dancehall and reggae.
While reggae royalty is in his blood, King Cruff’s rapid flow and patois-laced lyrical style reveals the influence hip-hop lyricists such as Andre 3000 and Kendrick Lamar have had on him choosing to carve his own path as an MC.
The 26-year-old artist is a natural-born performer who has spent the past year on stages in Canada, the US, and Jamaica for cultural events like the Tuff Gong Takeover in New York alongside Skip Marley, Toronto’s Caribana, Afro Carib Fest, School Night, Bastid’s BBQ Jamaica, Bastid’s BBQ Toronto, Flavours & Vibes, on tour with DillanPonders, and at both the LA and Toronto opening nights of the Bob Marley One Love Experience. King Cruff recently made his debut at HISTORY in front of a sold-out crowd opening for Damian Marley and Stephen Marley on their Traffic Jam Tour, shared Jamaican stages with Buju Banton, Runkus, Julian Marley, YG Marley and Lauryn Hill, and was named the Reggae/Afro Beats Artiste of the Year at the 2023/2024 Essence and Culture Awards.
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