Audio: Rising Reggae Star Chronixx Gets Free With Major Lazer

Words by Jesse Serwer—

For its second-ever collaborative mixtape (the first being Lazerproof, with British synth-pop group La Roux), Major Lazer has teamed with up-and-coming Jamaican artist, Chronixx. While some of you may be going “who?,” it’s a savvy move for Diplo and crew, as the singjay has quickly risen from obscurity to become one of JA’s most talked about new artists.

Called Start A Fire, the tape is the first in a series of mixes focused exposing new talent to a global market, according to Walshy Fire, Major Lazer’s new MC (not to mention LargeUp family member, Black Chiney DJ and unofficial Miami “prime minister”), and the man behind the release. “I initially heard of Chronixx while on the video shoot for our first single ‘Get Free,’” Walshy says. “While on set, production crew members kept playing his songs and song after song was incredible.”

On working with Chronixx, Walshy says “the ideas flowed fast and the lyrics connected on any rhythm put to his ear. Every beat was an explosion of lyrics until Diplo and I eventually ran out of beats.”

Now that that’s explained, sekkle down and sample the first leak from the mixtape, a freestyle pon top of Major Lazer’s recent single, “Get Free.” The subdued, orchestrated riddim makes a great sound bed for Chronixx, who’s able to stretch out his vocals, creating some almost I-Wayne-like vibes. Download below and look out for the full mixtape, premiering right here on LargeUp on Cyber Monday, Nov. 26.