Qraig Talks Solo Debut Album And The Evolution of Voicemail
After 23 years with Voicemail, Qraig, who makes up one-half of the famed Dancehall duo, will release his highly anticipated solo debut album titled Listen To Me on June 24. The 12-track project will feature heavy hitters Demarco, I Octane, Munga Honorable, and ReniGad.
Speaking with DancehallMag, Qraig revealed that he is not embarking on a solo career or splitting from the hit-making group, but that his new album marks the evolution of what Voicemail, as a Dancehall product, has become.
“Kevin [Blair] and I play a huge role in each other’s career, in each other’s brand outside of the mother brand which is Voicemail. He supports me and I support him. This is something that we talked about to strengthen each other. That is what we call the evolution of Voice Mail,” he explained. “I did a reggae EP in 2014 for Frankie Music but this is my first solo album which is a mix of Dancehall and Reggae.”
The songwriter, whose real name is Jerome Jackson, is excited to share the production with Dancehall-loving followers and said they should “expect a very feel good project. One that you can listen to, dance to, relax and enjoy.”
The debut project will be released by Alive Enterprise and also features collaborations with Wasp, Ajji, and Fyah Roiall. The project producers include Bhad twinn from Khaos Music, Slyda di Wizard from Romeich Entertainment Frankie Music, and Sharon Burke’s son Che from Trident Entertainment.
His new single Baykka (Mek E Place Nice) was released last week with a complementing music video on his Vevo channel and will be available as part of a deluxe edition to the album.
“I aspire for this production to be on the Reggae Billboard chart for sure,” he said. “I am working with the right set of people on this project, anything is possible and I am excited to share it.”
Qraig is confident that his artistic ability will stand against Dancehall’s evolution into traphall. “I am a superstar and a very versatile one so I can be locked into any space you put me,” he asserted.
Easy Shake, the first street single from the album was released 6 months ago. Its contemporary Afrobeat fused, Dancehall melody showcases the fun feel Voicemail is known to deliver. Qraig’s smooth-singing tone syncs perfectly on the high tempo beat.
The Kingston native is very cognizant of the changing times in Jamaican music with the shift of radio losing control of how songs are distributed. The new names and faces splattered across the genre he helped to carve a fun time niche in is not something that intimidates him. Qraig embraces the change and has devised a steadfast strategy to help in moving numbers and getting the streets familiar with his music.
“I am living in my truth and I love my life. I am a born creative, Voicemail is a creative spirit, that nah go change and evolution is a must. We can be a part of what’s going on without doing what they are doing. Yes, things and times are changing, and I am going to adjust it to my fitting. If it doesn’t complement my vibration or spiritual energy then its not me,” he said. “The internet has allowed the artist to present themself and their music in many different ways. Radio DJ’s are now looking to the streets for what is hot, wanting to connect their listeners to what is trending.”
Qraig is originally from Mckinley Crescent in Waltham Park Kingston, Jamaica and has spent most of his adult years on Westminister road. When he isn’t in studio recording, he enjoys chilling with his 8-year-old daughter, cooking, baking, playing video games, and dancing.
Voicemail is known for a slew of Dancehall party anthems including Wacky Dip, Dance, Nuh Behaviour and Do What Yuh Feel Like in the mid-2000s.
“Voicemail is a household name and we have always understood the assignment. We know how to connect with our audience and we know how to write our songs for the street and for the radio. One of the reasons why we wanted to strengthen the mother brand as individual brands is to exercise a side of us that has never been done before,” he said.
“Voicemail may not be presently active in the streets, but we are still recording and producing music. This move that we call the evolution of Voicemail where Kevin is strengthening his brand as Kevin, and I the same, in turn strengthens us collectively; so it’s like the rebirth of Voicemail so to speak.”