- Words Notion Staff
Runkus picks 10Trax for us, including Damian Marley, Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell.
Runkus has become one of the most talked-about talents in the Jamaican music scenes, impressing fans both at home and abroad with his genre-hopping, holistic style of music. Toddla T has established himself in the past few years as one of the UK’s top producers, offering his talents to projects like Stormzy’s megahit sophomore album ‘Heavy is the Head’ and BRIT nominated single by Headie One, “Ain’t It Different”.
The pair’s sensibilities have proved to be a perfect fit for each other, having met in Jamaica four years ago and instantly hit if off as creative partners. They have been making music together ever since, blending the things that are most valuable to both.
They’re set to unleash another major collab soon with their coming album ‘OUT:SIDE’, themed around the highly relevant theme of returning to the world after the isolation of COVID and finding new joy in the company of others. It’s a party album perfectly suited for the exuberance of summer.
With the pair gearing up for a big festival season ahead, we asked Runkus to pick 10Trax, and he has selected the likes of Pharrell, Ye and Kendrick Lamar, and much more.
"Dolly My Baby" by Super Cat
"I chose this remix especially because it stood out more to me as a child and I just love Supa Cat - everybody loves Supa Cat but at the same time this was the one that had the most appeal to me because I was young and into hip hop. So here is my favourite Jamaican DJ (although I didn’t know at the time because I was too young) on my favourite genre."
"Searching" by Damian Marley
"Original, Original, Original, Original Damien Marley “Searching” - one of my favourite songs - dope production. Once again old school dance hall and hip hop. Video concept hilarious and dope. It’s just dope. It’s a classic."
"Still Searching" by Damian Marley
"Years later - Damian Marley does the next record - like ‘I still haven’t found the girl I’m looking for’! It’s a big big tune. It will be dope if he does one that says I’ve found her… complete the trilogy. Wicked collaboration - Stephen Marley on production here. You can’t not like this song."
"Frontin'" by Pharrell (feat. Jay-Z)
"Pharrell is one of my favourite producers but he’s also a wicked artist. This record…! Jay Z - what he did - woooo! The video - woooo! The feeling this gave me is huge - it’s wicked."
"The Traffic Jam" by Stephen Marley (feat. Damian Marley)
"One of my favourite producers in the world. Stephen Marley. Teaming up again with his brother Damien Marley - wicked. Everything about this song is something that I needed to see as a youth."
"All Falls Down" by Kanye West
'Definitely one of the greatest songs ever in life. One of the greatest videos in life. From one of the greatest singers, producers, rappers, ever. The video and the concept changed my life in a way I never knew it could be changed."
"GOODLOVE" by Runkus
"This is a song by me and Toddla T. It’s a wicked tune. It’s one of my favourite songs right now. It’s taken from an upcoming record of mine and Toddla T’s. All of these other videos and songs - this is what it led to. Wanting and daring to be different and pulling it off, in my opinion. Feeling and being impacted by legends."
"DNA." by Kendrick Lamar
"I left out alot of people, J Cole, Nas…There are a lot of people I could have put on the list due to the amount they gave me. But it wouldn’t be a list without Kendrick Lamar - one of the most dope and conceptual writers of this time and a big inspiration to me."
"Breathing Underwater" by Hiatus Kaiyote
"This is definitely one of my favourite songs, from one of the most electric bands ever. This changed my musical perspective and gave me a different appreciation for all kinds of music and people that exist in this life."
"Determine" by Rappin Rhymes
"This is a video by my father Determine, called “Rappin Up Rhyme”- and if you look closely enough in it you’ll definitely see me. One of the wickedest tunes from Jamaica in my opinion. The style, the finesse. Everything about it is wicked. The world needs to see this."