With a new year usually comes fresh resolutions. For singer Ras Kronik, it is no different, although his plans include continuing to push a project he released in 2023.

That project is ‘The Energy’, his third album, which came out in August on Pandemic Records, an Atlanta-based company owned by Sheldon Edwards, Ras Kronik’s brother.

“People can expect continued positiveness, love an’ consciousness. Dat’s di way it has always been with Ras Kronik,” said the Las Vegas-based artiste. “Wi neva compromise our standards which a lotta people don’t like but in di end dat’s what’s going to carry us through.”

‘The Energy’ contains hard-hitting songs such as ‘Fyah Burn’, a collaboration with Turbulence; ‘Agree to Disagree’ and ‘Working For The Boss’. They hear Ras Kronik railing against the system, but he mellows out on ‘Your Love’ and gives praises on ‘Jah Jah Light’.

‘Consider Me’ and ‘Herbs I Smoke’ are other strong tracks from the 12-song set.

“Wi getting good response for ‘The Energy’ but wi wouldn’t mind getting some more shows. But things are in di works an’ wi expect to be busy this year,” said Ras Kronik.

Since moving to Las Vegas nearly 20 years ago, he has established himself in that city’s small reggae community. He has performed at leading venues where the music is popular as well as on major shows such as Reggae In The Desert.

Hungry for the big breakthrough, the Jamaican has stepped out of his comfort zone and cut songs for EDM and pop producers such as Steve “Mr. Mig” Migliore, whose credits include tracks with Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

‘Get High’ is one of the songs he recorded for Mr. Mig.

“I neva believe in limiting myself. Mi love roots-reggae and dancehall, everything, once it’s positive,” he noted. “Once yuh are an artiste, yuh should never limit yourself.”

Ras Kronik recharged his creative juices in Jamaica late last year. He returned to Las Vegas in late December and performed at radio station KCEP Power 88.1’s New Year’s party.

The dreadlocked artiste is from Clarendon parish in central Jamaica, which has produced numerous reggae stars such as Toots Hibbert, Millie Small, Freddie McGregor and Barrington Levy.

Since launching his music career in the 1990s, Ras Kronik has trod the reggae boards in South Florida and New York, recording songs for different producers. He settled in Sin City 15 years ago and has mainly worked with the Bonafide Band, a Jamaican aggregation which also lives in Las Vegas.

‘The Real Thing’ and ‘Wild N Free’ are Ras Kronik’s previous albums.

(Photo contributed)