Runkus’ New Album ‘IN:SIDE’ Is Out Now

Jamaican Reggae artiste Runkus has released his second album titled IN:SIDE.  The 10-track project, which follows his 2016 debut Move In, was released today under the Los Angeles-based record label Delicious Vinyl Island and the artist’s own Runkus Music imprint.

With appearances from Tarrus Riley, Naomi Cowan, Royal Blu, Jesse Royal, Kabaka Pyramid and Munga Honorable, IN:SIDE offers a blend of roots reggae and dancehall with the energy of trap and classic hip-hop that was created when lockdowns were imposed on Ruckus’s hometown of Portmore in April last year.

“It was one of those apocalyptic moments in life,” the artist said, in a press release, about the paranoia that enveloped his community during the shutdown. “You know when you watch a movie and you see everybody just fret? It was really like that. My thing was fight or flight: Would I panic too, stress and get depressed? Or make music?”

The release continued, “IN:SIDE captures this moment, reflecting the anxieties of life in the age of isolation, along with the hopeful promise of a better future. TAN A YUH YAAD (which takes its title from the Jamaican slang phrase used by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during the Portmore lockdown) and THE MASK:2ND WAVE explore the realities of this new world, creating a timely soundtrack for these unprecedented times.”

5Gs features Jamaican lyricists Jesse Royal, Kabaka Pyramid, Royal Blu and Munga Honorable who deliver blistering commentary on technology and the spread of information.

“EVERYBODY GOING LIVE (featuring Naomi Cowan) and QUARANTINE SLIDE engage themes of escapism, commenting on topics like social media obsession and interrupted love, while Jamaican music great Tarrus Riley joins Runkus on the jazzy, soulful closing track MAKE IT BREATHE,” the release added.

The album is accompanied by IN:SIDE Portmore, a mini-doc filmed during the project’s recording.   Stream IN:SIDE below or on your preferred music service.