R. CITY & Adam Levine: Pop and Reggae Fusion Hitmakers

R. CITY is a songwriting and production duo from the U.S. Virgin Islands, comprised of brothers Theron and Timothy Thomas, who achieved mainstream success through their own recordings and high-profile collaborations with artists like Adam Levine. Their 2015 single "Locked Away," featuring Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, became a global smash, propelling their debut album to chart success and multi-platinum certifications worldwide. This collaboration highlighted their unique blend of Caribbean rhythms with mainstream pop sensibilities.

Early career

Formed in St. Thomas, the Thomas brothers began their music industry journey in the mid-2000s, initially focusing on writing and producing for other artists. Their big break came when they signed a publishing deal with Dr. Luke's Prescription Songs, leading to them crafting hits for major pop and R&B acts like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Jennifer Lopez throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Breakthrough

The duo's own artistic breakthrough arrived in 2015 with the release of "Locked Away" featuring Adam Levine. The track served as the lead single for their debut studio album, "What Dreams Are Made Of," released on Kemosabe and RCA Records. "Locked Away" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, achieved multi-platinum status in numerous countries including the United States, and established R. CITY as hitmakers in their own right.

Key tracks

Locked Away (feat. Adam Levine) — This global chart-topper is their signature song, blending reggae-pop with heartfelt lyrics and Levine's distinctive vocals.

Make Up (feat. Chloe Angelides) — A later single that continued their streak of catchy, island-infused pop tracks.

Live by the Gun — A track from their debut album that showcases their grittier, reggae and dancehall-inspired roots.

Take You There — An earlier single that helped build anticipation for their debut album with its smooth, tropical vibe.

The success of their debut album solidified their place in the industry, allowing them to continue their dual-track career of releasing their own music while supplying songs for stars like Beyoncé, Shakira, and Ariana Grande. Their work consistently bridges the gap between Caribbean music and contemporary pop and hip-hop.

Artists with a similar fusion of pop, reggae, and hip-hop elements include Sean Paul, a dancehall pioneer who has dominated charts with similar cross-genre collaborations. Magic! also found success blending reggae rhythms with pop songcraft on their hit "Rude." The crossover appeal of Shaggy mirrors R. CITY's formula of infectious island beats paired with mainstream features. For the pop-rock side of their collaborations, Maroon 5 represents the polished pop sound that Levine helped bring to "Locked Away."

The music of R. CITY and their collaborations with Adam Levine receive regular airplay across a variety of radio formats, including top 40 pop stations, rhythmic contemporary channels, and online radio streams that specialize in current hits and crossover genres.

Listeners can discover the infectious pop-reggae fusion of R. CITY and Adam Levine on radio stations featured on our website. You can explore and listen to their hit tracks through the diverse selection of radio stations available on onairium.com.