Do you love Earth? Do you love this universe and everything that makes it up? Sounds like trick questions. In reality it’s not. They are basic questions that we should ask ourselves. The project and artist we’re gonna examine is one that is all about these key elements. One of the biggest pillar is his faith in Rastafari. His resume consist of winning a MOBO award. He has grammy nominations, working on tracks for Protoje & Jessie Royal.
Let’s talk to and about Runkus. This article is NOT a third hand (hearsay) representation of the brand. This is an exclusive sitting and talking with Runkus. His latest project “Super Nova”. Is all that and more. We sat down to talk about the journey that lead to Super Nova. We spoke on the loss of his father. We spoke on his brother DJ establishing himself as a producer. We spoke with his sister which now plays an integral role in his career & life. So the journey is the process again which brings us to the title of the project.
A “SuperNova” is the colossal, luminous explosion marking the death of a massive star or the detonation of a white dwarf, briefly outshining entire galaxies. These explosions disperse heavy elements, crucial for building planets and life, into the interstellar medium, often leaving behind a neutron star or black hole. That’s the academia side. The death of a star is also the beginning of a whole new world. A new universe and a new beginning. No wonder Runkus felt safe with this name and what it embodied. So many entendres here.
Super Nova exposes all these eclectic vibes we got from Runkus for the past decade. He’s a producer, singer, songwriter, writer, he’s all into art. Like literally every aspect of art from painting to sculpting. This whole art is lived through him and he clearly uses his faith as a compass.
Super Nova is intentional. It’s him saying if you love life and love art this is for you. It’s not too abstract it’s not too eclectic. There are hidden gems in the message. There are double and triple entendres all over the project. Once we got a sample of “3310” we knew the old soul and the new frequencies were about to meet.
3310 was the first single featured from Super Nova and it certainly did set the tone. That old school authentic 90s style over 808 drums. Now he has his second single doing the rounds. “Life Over Death” is one most music heads can and should appreciate. His lyrics and his ability to switch flows and styles will always set him apart.
It all spells Runkus. The same young kid who made all these groovy hits. The same young man who went out on a limb and made sure he wasnt like any other. It sounds like an artist who knows 90s rhythms and understands its impact. Here’s the added thought and reality. His brother DJ (Determine Junior) has a few productions on the album. So it’s safe to say that lineage plays a big part of this.
Which leads us into the fact that Runkus is the child of legendary DJ & songwriter Determine. His unfortunate passing also leant to the mindset of this project.
“No this project is not about my father but it’s hard not say his influence isn’t there”. His words eexactly.
The album is due out May 1st as you can see and hear from the various mediums Runkus is determined this time to let the art do the talking. The project is a full escape into his faith, his art, him accepting that the journey is the actual reward. The project is not to be described as a typical one drop riddim driven album. It’s carefully crafted. The sounds are sometimes considered crossover. The core of the message is still the same. He’s also worked along with KaleX, RiddimBoss and Remus from Xterminator. So there is clear global appeal in and on the project.
This project is for the fans. This project is also for the new ears. This project is filled with messages and gems. Thus project seems to be Runkus stepping out and saying here I am.
He’s seen his faith questioned as a Rastafarian and how far he’s come as an artist, a son, a brother and now the head corner stone and he’s living out every part as a star on Earth. Welcome to Super Nova.
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