From the very start, Rik Jam (born as Ronaldo Ricketts) has been building something real with producer Philip McFarlane. Not just another artist-producer linkup, but a solid foundation that’s now ready to speak for itself with the release of Rik’s debut album, The Genesis.
Written from real-life experiences and lessons learned along the way, The Genesis marks a new chapter, not just for Rik as an artist, but for roots reggae’s next wave. “This album represents every aspect of my life,” Rik shared with World A Reggae. “It’s been a rough journey to get where we need to be. But we’ve acknowledged how impactful music is, and I know reggae can help change the modern world, so the time is now.”
The project is fully produced by McFarlane, who seemingly gave up his spot in EarthKry to pursue his producer path. Rik has stayed loyal to that vision from day one, something that stands out in contrast to others from the early Irie Yute camp who have drifted in different directions. Their bond goes beyond music. “Being around Philip showed me what real consistency and discipline look like,” Rik says. “He pushes me to be a better version of myself, not just in music, but in life.”
At World A Reggae, we’ve been following Rik Jam from his earliest releases with Philip, and it’s been a joy to witness his steady growth over the past seven years, both in sound and presence.
Their journey together has taken them across the US and Europe, experiences that left their mark. “The love people show for my craft overseas really inspires me to keep doing what I love the most, and that’s reggae,” Rik reflects.
As for what keeps him grounded in a fast-changing industry? “The drive of both foundation and modern reggae artistes pushes me,” he says. “And I use my own life experiences to stay in the mindset I need, especially on the hard days.”
With The Genesis set to drop and a headline tour, alongside his bredda Dalwayne, on the way, Rik has one piece of advice for the next generation coming up: “Stay consistent, stay humble, and be your authentic self. I know it’s hard in a world full of distractions, but without effort, there’s no progress, and no generational stability.”
After years of groundwork, Rik Jam’s debut album truly does justice to roots reggae, a rare feat in a time when many modern Jamaican projects lean heavily on hip-hop influences. While even Rik nods to that shift with tracks like “Cry Blood” and “Troubled Streets”, which, in my humble opinion, feel slightly out of place on an otherwise cohesive album, The Genesis remains deeply rooted in the foundation sound.
With a voice that some liken to Chronixx, Rik brings original roots vibes in a more contemporary way. From the opening, a proper intro just like back in the day, to the closing track, my fave “Hail the King’, Rik keeps it rootsy with a somewhat dreamy, reflective tone throughout. Would have loved to have an Outro on the album, too, to close it off properly.
We recommend giving The Genesis a listen; it’s a breath of fresh air from Jamaica! Rik Jam is currently on tour in Europe, so when you get a chance to see him, do so.
By Danny Creatah
