Big things can come from a tiny grain of rice.
When he was just 5 years old, Jamar Rolando McNaughton wrote his first song, “Rice Grain.” Almost two decades later, the native of Spanish Town, Jamaica, is among the artists spreading a reggae-revival message of peace, positivity and resilency across the globe.
McNaughton grew up in the dancehalls of Jamaica, exposed to the likes of Gregory Issacs and Burro Banton. He was nutured musically from a young age by his father, a singer dubbed Chronicle, and he became known as Little Chronicle.
But McNaughton is all grown up now and has his own stage name, Chronixx, and his own band, Zincfence Redemption. The reggae artists will share the love Sunday, March 26, at an 8 p.m. show at Cargo Concert Hall in dowtown Reno. Tickets for the all-ages concert are $29 in advance or $35 at the door (taxes and fees included).
Chronixx, 24, says his mission is “making good music for the beautiful people of the world.” In 2014, he captured the attention of late-night television host Jimmy Fallon, vacationing in Jamaica, with his hit single “Here Comes Trouble.” That led to a live appearance on Fallon’s show and a concert spot the following week in New York’s Central Park, where Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger just happened to be celebrating his birthday.
His Chronology North America Tour opened March 2 and continues through April 30, crisscrossing the United States and Canada. Last weekend, Chronixx sold out a show in Vancouver, British Columbia, and he hits San Francisco, Redway and Santa Cruz in the next few days before arriving in Reno.
While he’s been busy on tour, his hit “Queen Majesty” has held the top spot for singles in the Jamaica Music Countdown compiled by Richard “Richie B” Burgess.
Life is definitely on the big up for Chronixx and crew, but he remains humble and focused as a young man living in an old soul.
“Prepare your minds and hearts for this (musical) revolution,” he says.
-Randy Hashagen
