In the landscape of modern dancehall, few names ignite as much conversation, speculation, and cultural shift as Alkaline. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, he took the industry by storm. With an unrelenting voice, a craft fully curated image, and an instinct for disruption, Alkaline has built a career not only on music, but on mystique. He emerged in the early 2010s like a glitch in the system: black contacts, enigmatic lyrics, and a refusal to explain himself. That strategy or perhaps defiance sparked global curiosity, turning him into one of the most polarizing and magnetic figures the genre has seen in decades.
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But to reduce him to shock value would miss the point entirely. Beneath the headlines is an artist who understands power, both in performance and perception. A former media and communication student, Alkaline has always been playing chess while others play checkers crafting a narrative that’s as calculated as it is raw. From his debut album New Level Unlocked to his independent powerhouse movement New Rules, he's shaped an empire.
Now, years into a career that’s constantly evolving, he sits down to talk which is rare, but intentional. In this exclusive interview, we go beyond the provocative visuals and into the mindset of a man who’s rewriting the rules of what it means to be a global dancehall artist. From Kingston roots to worldwide reach, this is Alkaline: unfiltered, unapologetic, and just getting started.
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Let’s take it back to Kingston…What did the soundtrack of your youth sound like? Who were you back then and when did you first feel that pull toward the mic like it was your destiny?
Music has always been a part of my life so the soundtrack of my youth was just good music. In my high school days is where it all started.
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You studied media and communication before the world knew your name. What was that turning point when music demanded your full attention and what parts of that academic life still show up in your career today?
Just the energy at the time we knew we had something worth building on so we did just that and here we are now! A good education is the foundation to making smarter moves in any field you know what I mean!
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When you first came on the scene, people couldn’t stop talking about the black contacts, the bold visuals, the mystery. Looking back, what were you really saying with that image and was it more strategy or self-expression
My image is just my image and everything cannot be explained!
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New Level Unlocked conquered. Was that moment a personal triumph, or just one stop on a much bigger journey you’d already visualised?
We make music consistently so wouldn’t say it’s a personal triumph but an achievement that we are grateful for.
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When the industry questioned you, you built ‘New Rules’. What sparked the idea to flip criticism into creation and how has it felt to curate a space that reflects your own vision for the culture?
We don’t do boxes and restraints, we just do what feels right for us and the people that support us and we go from there new rules Toronto and Jamaica it’s gonna be amazing!
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From studio sessions to being tapped by Givenchy, your fashion moments speak volumes. How do you see fashion amplifying your story as an artist and is there more of that world in your future?
It’s all about representation, looking good, feeling good and giving the people good music and good experiences all around.
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You’ve quietly supported causes close to home, from medical charities to community uplift. What keeps you grounded and how do you carry your roots with you, even as your platform grows?
Gravity you know? A good system of support, staying true to who we are and consistency.
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No one’s path is free of pain. Has loss or hardship shifted the way you make music or the messages you hope your fans walk away with?
A loss is a loss, and we all have to go through it at some point. It hits differently for everyone and we just deal with it how we deal with it.
So what does global domination look like? You’ve made it clear: the mission is bigger than the Caribbean. What’s next on your vision board, and how are you plotting to take the Alkaline sound worldwide?
The music is already global, we're just continuing to push it forward. Empowering people and creating music people can enjoy no matter where in the world you’re from.
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Styling Credits:
Cover Look
Jumper & Jeans: Bianca Saunders, Shoes: Christian louboutin
Look 2
Hand painted ‘Ecstacy’ Jacket: Exhibit69, T-Shirt by: wealthyboysclub_studio,Ttrousers: Daily Paper
Look 3
Eyewear: Swarovski, T-shirt; Bianca Saunders, Shirt & Trousers: Daily Paper, Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Look 4
Eyewear: Versace, Jacket, Shirt & Trousers: Daily Paper, Shoes: Buffalo Shoes
Look 5
Shirt & Trousers: Bianca Saunders, Shoes: Kurt Geiger
