BY KEVIN JACKSON—
Observer Writer—
Kranium (left) and producer Lamar Michael Reynolds—
Nobody Has to Know, the 2015 hit song by singer Kranium, has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of 500,000. The certification was announced on September 27.
Lamar Michael Reynolds produced the song, which topped several reggae charts and peaked at number 44 on Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart four years ago. Nobody Has to Know reached number two on Billboard‘s Reggae Digital Song Sales Chart.
“Words cannot describe how I am feeling. I am happy for the achievement and it’s more for the Jamaican culture than even for us. It’s a dancehall record in patois that has sold well in the US market,” said Reynolds in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.
He produced the song in the basement of his New York apartment six years ago.
“The energy surrounding the creation was pure. It was just me and Kranium, no ego nor external factors or people. Everything was created from scratch; lyrics, beat and all,” Reynolds explained. “Midway through, while playing it on repeat, we knew it would make an impact and it eventually skyrocketed his career and got him a record deal.”
The success of Nobody Has to Know resulted in several record labels engaging in a bidding war for Kranium, who eventually signed with Atlantic Records which released his debut album, Rumors, in October 2015. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart.
He did an audio engineering course at the Institute of Audio Research and then transferred to St John’s University where he earned a bachelors degree in Mass Communication.
In addition to Kranium, Reynolds has worked with Jojo Simmons, Troy Ave, Uncle Murda, Spragga Benz, Shaggy, Noah Powa, Vybz Kartel, Junior Reid and Gyptian.
Kranium, who is also based in New York, is originally from Montego Bay. He is the nephew of singer Screwdriver, who had a hit in the 1980s with Sharon.
Reynolds is involved in the production of Kranium’s follow-up album for Atlantic Records. A release date has not been disclosed.
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