Jamaican dancehall artist Kranium earns second RIAA gold certification

The Jamaican hitmaker has earned his second RIAA Gold certification as a lead artist, as his global single “We Can,” featuring Tory Lanez, has been certified gold in the United States, according to Jamaican-born, Brooklyn-based entertainment publicist Ronnie Tomlinson. 

“The achievement makes Kranium one of the few contemporary dancehall artists to secure multiple RIAA Gold certifications as the lead artist on his own records,” Tomlinson, CEO of New York’s Destine Media, Inc., told Caribbean Life on Tuesday, June 30. 

“It also underscores his continued commercial impact in the US market, where Caribbean music has long influenced mainstream culture but where lead dancehall records rarely achieve gold certification,” she added. 

Unlike certifications earned through guest appearances or supporting collaborations, Tomlinson said both of Kranium’s US gold plaques recognize songs he led as the primary artist: “Nobody Has To Know” and “We Can.” 

“The distinction highlights his ability to build an international audience around his own catalog while helping expand dancehall’s global commercial footprint,” she said. 

Kranium said that, “coming from Jamaica, you dream about taking our music to every corner of the world, but you also carry the responsibility of representing the culture the right way.

“To receive a second RIAA Gold plaque as the lead artist means everything, because these are records that started with my vision and my story,” he said. “It’s a blessing to know that music from Jamaica can continue connecting with people everywhere,” he added. 

Tomlinson said the new certification follows the success of “Nobody Has To Know,” the breakout single that introduced Kranium’s signature melodic blend of dancehall, reggae and R&B to audiences worldwide. 

She said the record previously earned RIAA Gold status in the United States and has continued to drive Kranium’s international momentum. 

“This isn’t just my win. It’s a win for dancehall, for Jamaica and for every young artist who believes our music deserves to stand alongside any genre in the world,” Kranium said. “I’m grateful to the fans who have been rocking with me since day one because none of this happens without them.”

Tomlinson said the latest milestone adds to one of the strongest international certifications resumes among contemporary dancehall artists, reflecting “Kranium’s sustained commercial success across North America and the United Kingdom.”