London-born rapper King Cruff releases new song after signing with major label

A London, Ont.,-born rapper is making waves in the music scene after signing with major label Universal Music Canada.

Solomon Marley-Spence, known as King Cruff, released his first single Samurai Chop, under the new label on Friday.

The 25-year-old has deep musical roots, being a direct descendant of reggae legend Bob Marley. Cruff was born in London and then moved to Jamaica as a child, where his mom, Stephanie Marley, ran the Bob Marley Museum. Stephanie Marley is a Western University alumna.

"I learned a lot because I was in that space a lot," Cruff told CBC Afternoon Drive host Allison Devereaux. "I went there probably every day after school, so it was very inspiring to see his image and to learn over and over and over again what he did."

Cruff chose his stage name based on what he was called during his formative years in Jamaica. The word "cruff" is associated with having no priorities, goals or style in Jamaican culture; it was a nickname Cruff wanted to flip on its head.

"I feel like, in a way, we kind of live in a world that's very optics-focused," he said. "I feel like people focus on how you dress and how you move instead of actually asking you questions about what you think and what kind of music you listen to and what kind of person you are. So in adopting that, I kind of wanted to challenge people to be able to be like, 'You have this name, but let me try and figure out more about you before I make that judgment call.'"

LISTEN | King Cruff talks about his new record deal and song Samauri Chop on CBC Afternoon Drive:

Cruff returned to London in his late teens to study at Fanshawe College, then made music his full-time ambition. In January, he was awarded Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the Forest City London Music Awards.

"I feel like when you look up on Marley's career, he didn't really waver on any of his beliefs, whether they were religious, spiritual, political," said Cruff. "He always knew what he was talking about, and he didn't care if people went for him for that. So I kind of feel like he influences me that way the most."

Cruff's musical influences are also diverse, which leads to how he's crafting his own unique sound.

"I grew up on a lot of hip hop, so I'm a big fan of Kendrick Lamar and Andre 3000. I kind of like hip-hop storytellers," he said. "I grew up on a lot of reggae, too. Obviously, you know the Marley brothers, I love a lot of that. For the new school of reggae, it would be Chronixx, or Runkus or Protoje, that type of energy."

His latest release, Samurai Chop, is about the internal struggle between conforming to a group and choosing to follow your own path. It's a poppy track that incorporates Cruff's own dance hall vibe.

WATCH | King Cruff's new video for the single Samurai Chop:

Now working under a label collaboration with Universal and Tuff Gong Collective, Cruff said the move made sense for his musical journey.