10 Things We Love About Runkus

Hailing from Portmore, Jamaica, Runkus has been been working on music since the age of seven, and engineering by the age of fifteen for some of the greatest artists that have come out of the beautiful country that holds such a rich culture in the history of music. Runkus has never limited himself, nor has he ever allowed himself to be restricted by borders or any kind of interruption, and has since conducted himself in a manner that has allowed the incredible artist to soulfully stroll down his own path, with his meaningful visions the main motivator behind his journey. 

Once more proving the calibre of artist he is, Runkus has now teamed up with esteemed DJ and producer of some of the biggest records in recent times in Toddla T, to create their highly anticipated ‘OUT:SIDE’. Speaking of the record, Runkus explained: “This is more than just a record for those who missed being outside due to the pandemic, it is for those who face a different pandemic, one of the fear of outside itself. Whether through insecurities or genuine fear for their lives, this cultural experience of a night out in the streets of Jamaica aims to liberate that fear and bring you a sense of solace, to Zion, within yourself. Livicated to the late, great France Nooks.”

There is so much to love about Runkus, one of the most charismatic, charming artists currently working in the music industry, but here are 10 things that we love about him: 

We love the feature with Chronixx - One of the most incredible artists, everything he touches just resonates with so many, what was it like working with him?

Being one of my favorite artists/creatives, a top musician, I love this feature with chronixx on the record. It took many turns and altered many dimensions but it became 'whole' for me once the name PRETTY SUIT was established. It became the record. 

We love that you collaborated with Toddla T on the new album - It’s hard to put in to words how talented Toddla T, not only is he a producing legend, but also for a long period of time a real broadcasting hero, what was the production process like with Toddla T?

I met Toddla about 2016 through Winta James as he was recruiting for the 'BBC Freshman Cypher'. I freestyled the first spin of the record/beat and he pulled it up immediately lol. We always talked about collaborating, at first, the idea was a mixtape, then it turned into an EP, and now it's a masterpiece. Such a great creative, top human being, free spirit.

We love the title of the album ‘OUT:SIDE’ - Where did you get the inspiration behind the title for the album?

In 2015/2016 I released an EP with Oneness Records called 'MOVE:IN', aimed to inspire people to move within themselves more whilst constantly in motion; take a moment, and seek within. in 2021, I did my second LP with Delicious Vinyl entitled 'IN:SIDE'. this record was a follow up, done in quarantine when we were stuck 'inside', I wanted people to pay attention to what's going on inside of them once they have now  'moved in'. There was a lot of metaphors regarding the phone/internet and social media as we when we were inside, all we had was technology for alot of outward expression which did not help us focus on how we were actually feeling, about ourselves. Now, Toddla T and I partnered to sonically create the landscape of what an outside experience in Jamaica is like, entitled.. 'OUT:SIDE'. After taking genuine care of inside, that is, your heart, mind and soul, when it's time to come outside of 'one's self', we still have to be careful as outside is just as dangerous as our self inflicted hurt/trauma that we give ourselves. It is a project livicated to a top musician and great friend of mine, France Nooks.. long live Nooksy. 

We love your passion for Reggae, Dancehall and Hip-Hop - A real movement across the world at the moment, what sparked your passion for these genres?

Being a 90s baby, born of the great Determine, a Reggae and Dancehall legend in Jamaican music, those said genres were naturally instilled in me, even before birth. Afterwards, I became invested in Hip hop on my own accord. BET, MTV, VH1 etc. are all the platforms that moulded my young mind to create this melting pot of talent I have now to innovate upon what was innate. 

We love that you’ve been nominated for two GRAMMYs - One of the most prestiged awards you can be nominated for in the music industry, how did this feel?

After all the love and support given to me by my father, family and his peers ,coming into music own my own was a very important step into the next chapters of my life. By the age of 14, I was engineering and trying to produce, keyword, trying.. lol. However, I always had dreams of getting grammys, being nominated touring etc. and at the ages of 24 and 27 I received two Grammy nominations for song-writing credit on Protoje's A Matter of Time album and production, engineer, musician, performing and song-writing credit on Like Dat for Jesse Royal's Royal album. I want to let 14 year old me know that, he wasn't wrong, we can achieve anything we put our minds to, Granny nomination, Grammy nomination you name it (I said that because my grandma told me she saw me performing on tv once and liked it, and listen, she likes nothing but her country music and vibes).

We love the incredible soul you put into all of your work - Such a talented and soulful artist, how do you go about this?

My music comes from the deepest, most sacred parts of my being as I think all creativity comes from. I think all of life is God's song, His masterpiece and His divine inspiration is everywhere within this existence to experience. The heights of my creativity is trying to achieve that experience as much as possible, I'd like to live there if I could.

We love that you were inspired by the late great France Nooks - Life is all about key influences, and certain people influence others in different ways, what was it in particular about France Nooks?

There are a few people who have talked me into believing in myself and my art and creativity that made a mark/impact on me. Smartkid, my manager is one, I would not be the creative I am without his guidance. France Nooks, is another he, like smartkid, let me believe in myself more than just a 'recording artist', he saw me as a producer, engineer, just walking inspiration and creation and I never forgot that. It was he who made me confident enough at a certain time in my life where i doubted my creativity. Long live Nooksy, great rapper, friend, brother, lineage. Respect to Meleku, Lineage Family, Judgement Yaad and Nooksy's family.

We love your background in club culture, radio and Notting Hill - Where did this come about?

 This one goes out to Toddla T, I have no background in these tings. 

We love how you fight for people who are facing their own battles - This is what ‘OUT:SIDE’ is all about, what inspired you to do this?

 I want to be a voice, it's why I was given a voice. alot of people are out there at this moment who cannot fight/fend for themselves, who are we to see those in need and not lend a helpful hand because of our own pride. "Let the hungry be fed, naked clothed, sick nourished, aged protected, infants cared for and ignorant enlightened."

We love how proud you are of Jamaica - One of the best, most historic countries in the world, but what makes it so special for you?

 I am proud of my culture, my heritage and the realities rastafari has brought to me. Like everything in life, it's balance you know; good, bad, up, down, polarities of life, there could be no existence without them, it's all about the experience. That being said, Jamaica can be experienced in many aspects of these polarities, for some it might be a good experience or bad, however I take it all as just an experience, I am proud of my people and how far we've come and I also know we have much more to do, and farther to go, within our spiritual development especially. 

LISTEN TO ‘OUT:SIDE’: https://ingrv.es/out-side-x7d-n