Kranium: 3 Things I Can't Smoke Without

Kemar Donaldson — known to the world as Kranium — is the Jamaica-born, Queens-raised dancehall artist behind global hits like "Nobody Has to Know" and "Can't Believe." With Atlantic Records co-signs, Ty Dolla $ign collabs, and a sound that bridges Kingston and New York, he's one of dancehall's most consistent crossover voices — and a regular at Good Grades.

"One thing to worry about, three things we can't do without." Kranium leans into the camera the way he leans into a hook — half-singing, half-grinning — and just like that the segment is open.

It's a quick, easy intro that tells you exactly who you're dealing with. No setup, no résumé. "It's that Kranium man right here with Good Grades, and we're about to talk about three things I can't do without while I'm smoking." From there he goes straight in.

"One thing to worry about, three things we can't do without."

The first answer surprises some people, especially on a cannabis show. "For some weird reason, I feel like high grade and liquor go hand in hand. So every time I'm about to squeeze my, I have to have a drink and just hold a meditation, especially if I'm going to the studio to record."

For Kranium, the drink isn't a chaser — it's part of the ritual. He calls it a "two-piece combo," the liquor and the weed working together. The liquor settles him into the meditation; the herb brings the energy on top. "The brain get right and, you see me, I get to it. You know me as a Jamaican, so." The last line lands as a wink: of course it's part of the equation.

"High grade and liquor go hand in hand — two-piece combo."

The second pick isn't a product at all. "Second thing me definitely can't do when I'm smoking is — me love girl, you know what I mean? Me's a man love woman."

He paints the picture exactly the way it goes down. "So if me a smoke, I watch TV, I watch a basketball game or a football game, and my girl lie down beside me. It just give it a energy." For Kranium, the company is the whole vibe. "Weed and girl go hand in hand, you know what I mean? Anytime me a smoke, next thing we definitely need next to me is a girl."

It's classic dancehall energy — herb, company, and a game on in the background — translated into 2026 New York.

"Weed and girl go hand in hand. Definitely next to me is a girl."

The third pick comes with a co-sign that doesn't need a citation. "As you know, one of the world-renowned person that is known is Bob Marley when it comes down to it. So anytime me a smoke, me have to have some music in the background — preferably reggae, because I feel like reggae and weed go hand in hand. It's like peanut butter and jelly, you know what I mean?"

Once that combination is in place, he says the rest takes care of itself. "Once me a smoke and some reggae music a play in the background — could be any reggae song, whatever it is — take a light, you look up, right vibration, everything is smooth and captivating." It's the kind of line you can only deliver if you've actually lived it a few thousand times.

"Reggae and weed go hand in hand. It's like peanut butter and jelly."

Kranium's three things aren't gear at all — they're atmosphere. A drink to open the meditation, a woman to share the couch, and reggae playing on every spliff. It's a Kingston-to-Queens template that says more about how dancehall artists actually smoke than any product list could.

He closes with a brand co-sign that's almost a chorus. "So definitely, always remember, anytime you see Kranium and Good Grades, remember he told you this. Woman, liquor, and music. Boom."

Kranium's version of the 3 Things series is a reminder that not every essential comes in a jar. The herb is the constant; what changes the session is the room around it. His recipe — liquor, company, reggae — is the kind you can build at any dispensary in any city, as long as you remember the order.

Pair a top-shelf flower from the Good Grades menu with whatever drink you meditate with, queue up Bob Marley or any reggae playlist, and pull whoever you love onto the couch. That's the Kranium method.

Watch the full interview below and explore more artist conversations in our Cannabis Culture hub.

"Woman, liquor, and music. Boom."