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Dancehall megastar Kranium is "excited" to headline the live band show - Soundcheck - as he sees it as the "perfect platform" to provide an intimate session to reason with his fans and explore the story behind his musical journey.

"It's a great feeling to be chosen as the headliner because I've always wanted to have an up-close and personal vibe with the bands and get to hold an energy with the crowd. I think that's a great way to introduce me performing here. My sound is like dancehall, R&B/urban sound, so the setting is perfect and it matches my brand, suh it make a lot a sense and it's going to be fun. A lot of people are gonna be surprised," Kranium told THE STAR.

"For me, as a singer, a lot a people don't really get to see that side a me because I flow a lot on records. But I actually can sing, sing fi real. So with the bands, I feel like it gives me more space to exercise mi vocals and tell stories for each song, and I think that's one of the most important things that I'm most excited about. Also it allows people fi know who I am and how the road has been as an internationally based dancehall artiste," he added.

The event, which is slated for today, also marks the first anniversary of the live band session. Alongside Kranium, patrons will also be entertained by special guest 'rhyme minister' Runkus, among other surprise guest performers. Backed by the resident Dub Squad band, the event is set to serenade patrons with a real, authentic, epic vibe at the Dubwise Cafe on Lady Musgrave Road, St Andrew.

Kranium said he fully endorsed the use of live bands during stage show events, as they not only add to the whole ambiance and natural vibe of the show, but help in artistes' development.

"I think that [performing] music should always be live, but is not every artiste can deliver on a band. Live bands are very important and they make a big difference in a set but there's a time and place for everything and every artiste should know their strong point and you can incorporate both [tracks and band]," he opined.

"With a live band, I feel like a whole different personality goes towards the show...so I think it's a good thing to help develop yuhself as an artiste but the bands also have to be in the right key," he said, while expressing the need for more live stage shows in Jamaica.

Though this event marks his first time headlining a local show for the past few years, the Can't Believe artiste said he has been putting in the work, collecting his accolades and making a global impact by conceptualising impactful, dancehall music that has longevity.

"Timing is everything and I take a lot of pride in my music and I drop like only two songs fi di year just for quality control," he said. "How I stay relevant in dancehall and music overall, I feel like I created a lane for myself. I feel like from the [get-go] I didn't train fans to expect too much music from me, but to expect more quality [music] and less quantity. People know seh when dem hear a good Kranium song, dem know seh 'Di man find one,'" said Kranium.

He promised to release his latest single - Still Alive - which will cater to fans' emotions and personal situations.

"Mi a sing bout happy to be alive, people weh pass and gone, partying, girls, dancing and vibes. Suh di song have so much element of motivation but still serious [while] telling people to 'go get it' and I think they're gonna love it because my intention was to touch on everyone's emotions," he stated.

The single is scheduled to be released on Friday.