Five Questions with Kraff
Published:Friday | June 9, 2023 | 1:24 AMAaliyah Cunninghan/Gleaner Writer
The Jamaican dancehall space is ever growing as new talented acts constantly emerge on the scene in hopes of taking their skills and career to the next level. Among the latest slew of performers is recording artiste Kraff, who demonstrates a great level of aptitude in lyricism and stage presence. Should you ever see the Immortal deejay in person, it is his reticent persona which is ironically most captivating as he admits that he is not one for too much attention and fame. Rising to prominence in 2022, the artiste has had a number of hit singles and released his debut EP 11:11 late last year. He has also seen his fair share of challenges since becoming a star in the dancehall arena, nevertheless, taking it all in stride and basking in the support of his fans, who he dubs the ‘budu’ dem, he continues to forge ahead. Born Tevin Randall, the Dinero deejay, who recently performed in the Cayman Islands, sits with Five Questions to talk about his career in music so far.
As one of the biggest emerging acts in dancehall, you and your colleagues have come under heavy scrutiny for the music and the dancehall space recently. What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry, and what do you believe can be done to improve it?
No really like e politics thing still but me will say this, dem fi stop trying to kill the messenger and deal with the message weh him a bring. Dem a search under every stone and stick fi the answers to what’s wrong with Jamaica — [the] children of unuh nation are telling you — listen. Yuh can’t silence the screams and expect the pain weh a cause the screams to go away, too. A no really my job or focus to change the industry. Me just want the people dem fi leggo the yutes make we tell fi we story.
At the end of 2022, you were in a car accident, and you recently recovered from surgery. Talk to us about how these experiences have affected your outlook on life.
Just reminds me to stay dark and stubborn cause life nah give you nuh break and this little wicked planet ready fi dash you weh at any moment. So you affi strong and serious in whatever yuh do. You affi mad inna anything you do. Know what yuh do, know yuh value and know why you do what you’re doing. No make no man tell you how fi do your thing.
How do you prepare for your performances?
Everything a energy. Me dark inna real life, so I don’t want to be around any other energy Unno might see me, but me deven see unno cause me no deh yah. Me roun a one part. Me just affi segregate myself and chat to me duppy dem.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
The ‘budu’ dem. The way me fans dem take on to the music and the energy. I don’t do this for the fame - a d budu dem. Me know weh them a go through and weh them a feel, and me a give a voice to them. That a go always be the highlight fi me.
We are halfway through 2023. Have you achieved the goals that you have set out to achieve thus far? If so, explain. If not, how do you plan to catch up?
Me no really see things like everybody else — creating all these little boxes that you affi fit in weh you affi construct your plans in a certain way. Me no tan so. I trust my instinct. My guide is my spirit, so weh no happen no fi happen, and wah a go happen is supposed to happen. I do have some things that I’m cooking up fi the ‘budu’ dem. A new project a forward soon, but as far as meeting goals, talk to me manager bout that. Me just a do me thing.