International dancehall artiste Craigy T is set to mark a major milestone in his career with the release of his debut album, Ascension, on August 7.

The 17-track project represents what the artiste describes as a year of completion, bringing together songs that reflect his personal thoughts, emotions and spiritual journey while establishing his identity as a solo artiste.

“This year is a year of completion for me. I had some of the tracks unfinished beforehand, so I made the decision that this year was to be the moment that it all comes together. The music business annual cycle starts in August,” Craigy T.

Ahead of the album’s release, Craigy T (given name: Craig Thompson) has already given listeners a taste of what to expect with the singles Letter to the Lord and Boodum Boodum (2026 Remastered Artist Cut); the latter featuring dancehall artiste Marcy Chin. Both of the tracks have garnered massive local and international support. 

Other songs on the track-list include: Your Only Man (Onion Reimagined), It’s Gonna Be Alright(Ascension Mix), Chip, Nitro, Lawd Have Mercy (Nyah Spiritual), Great, Atrocious, Voodoo, Devil, Eye for an Eye, Oh Lawd, Shadow, Lover Like This, It’s Always Been You (featuring YRush), and I Know Love.

For Craigy T, Ascension is difficult to define with a single description, precisely because of the range of experiences and emotions it explores.

“Honestly, it’s so different that I don’t want to summarise it. It cycles through my various personal thoughts and emotions and puts them to rhythm. To summarise would be to bastardise,” he said.

Among the songs closest to him are Devil and Letter to the Lord, which he says represent a transition from darkness into light through his relationship with God. He also singled out Great as another favourite, describing it as unlike anything he has heard before, particularly within the dancehall space.

“My favourite is a toss-up between Devil and Letter to the Lord, as they both represent that movement from a place of darkness into a place of light with the help of God,” he said. “Great is next. (I’ve) never heard any song like it before. Definitely not in dancehall.”

The project is largely produced by Craigy T and Vigilante Records, with additional production contributions from Brooklyn News, Warrior Music, DJ Buddha, Riff Raff and ZJ Rush, among others.

With Ascension, the artiste hopes to make a lasting impression on listeners both in Jamaica and internationally.

“I set out for the album to be a solid first full step as a solo artist. I expect it to make a mark and be remembered by reggae/dancehall fans internationally and in Yard,” he said.

More than simply a collection of songs, Craigy T views the project as an opportunity for listeners to gain a deeper understanding of the artiste behind the music. He hopes the album will reach those who need the guidance, pleasure and satisfaction that it offers, while allowing audiences to see him as a complete person and artiste.

“I trust that the album will find the ears of those who need the guidance, pleasure and satisfaction it provides. Also, I hope that their understanding of me as a complete person/artist will deepen,” he said.

Craigy T is inviting both longtime supporters and new listeners to join him for what he views as the beginning of a new chapter.

“Thank you for believing in me.