Runkus pushes reggae beyond genre limits with Supernova album

Runkus says his new project, Supernova, is part of a wider push to place Jamaican music in direct conversation with major global acts while keeping reggae at its centre. The artiste said he wants his work to stand beside music from Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Tyler, the Creator, not only on reggae-focused platforms but on contemporary international stages.

The album’s title grew out of his work with multidisciplinary visual artist Tavares Strachan, whose exhibition Supernovas was staged in Mannheim, Germany. Runkus said he has been scoring Strachan’s galleries and exhibitions, and wanted to merge music with visual art through an album connected to an exhibition. For him, a supernova represents not only the end or explosion of a star, but the beginning of something new.

Strachan also created the album cover, an artwork titled A Map of the Crown. Runkus said the piece represents Mitochondrial Eve, described in the interview as a Southeast African woman to whom all bloodlines are said to trace.

Runkus said the timing of the release followed a period of musical and personal development after his previous record in 2022. He said he spent time improving his production, songwriting and guitar playing, while also living through experiences he could later write about. The album had been planned for last year, when the related exhibition took place, but was ultimately released this year.

The production process was extensive. Runkus said he created about 170 songs and riddims before choosing 13 tracks, leaving him with enough material for three albums. He described himself as central to the production, either building songs alone or finishing and reshaping ideas started by others.

His 19-year-old brother produced about half the album, including Every Ghetto Youth Is a Star, Sniper Rifle and the title track Supernova. Runkus said he produced tracks such as Stone Love, Life Over That and Eagle. Other contributors named in the process included Rema, Smirko, Govana, KLX and Rhythm Boss on songs including Sure As The Sun and Redemption Bar.

The album also carries features and references involving Sean Paul and Peter Tosh. Runkus said Sure As The Sun, featuring Sean Paul, was written as reassurance to himself. A Peter Tosh clip appears on Sheep after Runkus found audio that matched his concept for the song.

Runkus said genre boundaries matter less to him than message. While he accepts the label reggae artiste, he said Jamaican music should aim beyond its assumed limits and compete confidently on the world stage.