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Kranium's New York upbringing has played a pivotal role in shaping his unique musical identity, particularly in how he blends dancehall with R&B.

Born in Jamaica but raised in the diverse, fast-paced environment of New York City, Kranium was forced to find his voice in a space where Caribbean culture exists, but not always in its most traditional form. Navigating this space as an aspiring dancehall artiste pushed him to forge a path that was both authentic and innovative.

"I feel like I created my niche in R&B and dancehall music because growing up in New York, and being a dancehall artiste there, I couldn't pretend," the Higher Life artiste said.

"I couldn't come to Jamaica and put on a tight pants and Clarks cause mi a man weh like my Air Force, my baggy jeans and my fitted hat," Kranium said.

Kranium asked himself a critical question: "How can I cut through the noise and just identify as who mi is rather than try fi pretend?"

That internal conversation became the catalyst for his sound--a fusion that doesn't just bridge two genres but two cultures.

"So when I actually got the chance and all eyes on me...that gave me the confidence fi sing how me feel and what an immigrant in New York would sound like, without the [foreign] accent," he continued.

His ability to maintain his Jamaican roots while speaking to the immigrant experience in the US gave his music a fresh, relatable quality that resonated with fans at yard and abroad.

Currently riding the wave of his DJ Mac-produced collaboration Vancleef with Nigy Boy and Valiant, Kranium dropped Still Alive last Friday.