We sat down with Jamiacan Reggae, Dancehall, and Hip-Hop artist Runkus to discuss his favourite mixtape:

What’s your favourite mixtape ever?

In terms of mixtapes overall… Lil Wayne – Drought 3 was crazy, well every single Lil Wayne mixtape was crazy, it definitely could be a 3-way tie amongst Drought 3, Chronixx’s Roots and Chalice or J. Cole’s Friday Night Lights. Highly difficult choice for me.. but i’m gonna go with the Friday Night Lights. 

Why is it so significant to you?

Friday Night Lights changed my perspective on lyrics and being lyrical. It really influenced my style and want for lyricism as the base of approach to music, especially from a production standpoint as well. Finding out that Cole did a lot of the beats, if not all was very surprising and dope to me. 

Were there any artists or producers that you discovered through this tape?

Not a lot of artists i’d say I discovered but, Cole doing his own beats changed my life and made me want to get into production as an engineer/rapper/DJ at the time.

Where exactly were you when you heard the mixtape for the first time?

“wow.. you can be this lyrical? bar for bar, tune after tune?” Cole literally was giving you punchline after punchline. I remember a a specific bar..

“Hey, don’t you see me man?
Making my wishes come true with no genie man
I got the keys to my beamer with no Beenie Man”

…wild I tell you lol.

Did it come into your life at a significant time?

I’d say it came into my life at a significant time, because I was rapping at the time and transitioning that to Jamaica’s style DJ/toasting, and that influenced how I approached my lyrical content, story telling, beat production and sampling etc. 

How did the mixtape cover make you feel?

It was dope, wasn’t life changing for me, just dope. 

Describe the mixtape in three words?

Lyrical. miracle. spiritual.

What song is your personal favourite?

Higher was a definite loved tune by I. I have to mention though – In the Morning, Cost me a Lot, Premeditated Murder, The Autograph. 

If you could put a price on this mixtape, how much would you pay?

It’s priceless.

Did you have a physical copy?

Had, can’t find. Don’t judge me.

Listen to Runkus and Toddla T’s new track, ‘GOODLOVE’: