Less than 24 hours after their latest releases, dancehall stars Aidonia and Masicka have swiftly conquered the U.S iTunes Reggae Albums Chart, surpassing even the iconic Bob Marley for the top spot.
Masicka’s second album, “Generation of Kings,” dropped under the Def Jam Records label on Friday, December 1st, and currently holds both the No.1 and No.2 positions with different cuts from the project. In a parallel surge, Aidonia’s compilation, “Occupied Mind,” has secured the No.3 slot, leaping two places from No.5, outshining Bob Marley’s “Legend – The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers” at No.4.
“Generation of Kings,” the 17-track offering by Masicka, features collaborations with Jamaican compatriots, namely Popcaan, Chronic Law, Lila Iké, and Dexta Daps, along with contributions from international acts. In contrast, Aidonia’s “Occupied Mind,” comprising 23 tracks, includes a solitary collaboration with Govana, emphasizing the raw talent of the dancehall star.
A statement from Masicka’s team expressed the album’s goal to expand the artist’s fan base and explore new markets. Notable tracks like “Fight For Us” and “Wet,” featuring Afrobeats singer Fave and Haitian-American singer Fridayy, underscore this global outreach. Producers on “Generation of Kings” include Masicka, alongside notable names such as Boi-1da, Atto Wallance, Moz ‘Mozeeko’ Hamm, Donald ‘Razzy’ Chen, and Mario ‘Dunw3ll’.
In Aidonia’s case, the compilation’s announcement had fans eagerly anticipating a new album. However, the artist clarified that “Occupied Mind” is not an album but a compilation of works recorded during a challenging period with his late son Khalif Lawrence, who succumbed to cancer almost a year ago.
Aidonia, the “Frsh Drop” hitmaker, revealed plans for a hiatus from music after the project’s release to focus on family and the imminent arrival of his next child. Despite this, the compilation stands as a testament to the artist’s commitment to satisfying fans’ hunger for new music. Executively produced under the Banger House Music Group imprint, “Occupied Mind” features contributions from Banger House Music Group, Haunted House, Emudio, Darshan, Cashflow Big Project, and Mill Beatz, showcasing the collaborative effort behind this significant release.
