mr eazi & chronixx

Biography

Mr Eazi (born Oluwatosin Ajibade) and Chronixx (born Jamar Rolando McNaughton Jr. on October 10, 1992) are two prominent African and Caribbean artists known for their contributions to afrobeats, dancehall, and reggae fusion, with a notable mutual admiration expressed by Mr Eazi in 2019. Mr Eazi, originally from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, relocated to Kumasi, Ghana at age 16 to study mechanical engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he began promoting parties through Swagger Entertainment and recorded his first guest verse on 'My Life,' sparking his music career. He released his debut mixtape About to Blow in 2013, followed by Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos in 2017, blending afrobeats and afropop while drawing from Highlife influences; his entrepreneurial background includes ventures in e-commerce, gold mining, and emPawa Africa label.[2][7]

Chronixx, from Spanish Town, Jamaica, was nurtured musically by his father, dancehall artist Chronicle, starting recordings at age 11 with gospel tracks and harmonies for artists like Lutan Fyah. At 14, he produced riddims like the 'Freezer Riddim' for Konshens and Popcaan; tragedies including his brother's death in 2009 and collaborator Alty 'J.O.E' Nunes' passing in 2011 fueled his rise, leading to hits like 'Smile Jamaica' and the EP Dread & Terrible (2014), which topped Billboard's Top Reggae Albums. He founded ZincFence Recordz with Romain 'Teflon' Arnett.[1][3][6]

Their musical styles—Mr Eazi's afrobeats/afropop and Chronixx's roots reggae/dancehall—intersect in genre overlaps like afroswing and dancehall per Spotify data, with Mr Eazi citing Chronixx as an inspiration for potential Caribbean-leaning projects post-Lagos to London (2018), though no direct collaboration is documented in available sources.[4]

Fun Facts

• Chronixx performed at Usain Bolt-attended show in 2012 and served as a Peace Ambassador in Kenya during 2013 elections.
• Mr Eazi launched six businesses including gold mining and food distribution before fully committing to music in 2014.
• Chronixx's EP Dread & Terrible spent 42 consecutive weeks in Billboard's Top 10 Reggae Albums by March 2015.
• Mr Eazi's tour driver independently played Chronixx's music, mirroring Mr Eazi playing his own for Chronixx's driver.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Chronicle - Father who musically nurtured Chronixx from an early age (Early influences on Chronixx's dancehall roots) [Childhood (pre-2000s)]
• Danny Browne - Producer for Chronixx's first recording at age 11 (Unreleased gospel track) [2003]
• Romain 'Teflon' Arnett - Key collaborator and co-founder of ZincFence Recordz, inspired Chronixx post-brother's death (Early singles like 'Behind Curtain') [2009 onward]
• Alty 'J.O.E' Nunes - Team collaborator whose passing motivated Chronixx's career push (Singles like 'Warrior', 'African Heritage') [2010-2011]

Key Collaborators

• Efya - Featured artist on breakthrough single ('Skin Tight') [2016]
• Major Lazer & Walshy Fire - Mixtape feature (Start a Fire) [2012]
• Zincfence Redemption Band - Backing band for tours and performances (UK/US tours, Reggae Sumfest) [2013 onward]
• Sault - Uncredited vocals, composer, lyricist, songwriter; credited horns/guitar on one album (Earth, Today & Tomorrow, Untitled (God), 11, Acts of Faith, 10) [2020s]

Artists Influenced

• Mr Eazi - Cited Chronixx's music as inspiration for future Caribbean-influenced projects (Post-Lagos to London direction) [2019]

External Links

• Spotify