Papua New Guinea’s premier reggae artist, Anslom, continues to expand his musical journey beyond borders. Driven by international collaborations, regional tours, and a deep-seated passion for the genre, Anslom is successfully introducing PNG reggae to global audiences while delivering powerful, socially conscious messages.
Despite holding two university degrees and having numerous career paths available to him, Anslom chose a life dedicated to music. His leap into the international arena stemmed from a desire to challenge himself, navigate diverse markets, and absorb knowledge from global peers rather than remain comfortable with his local success.
"I didn't want to look back one day and regret not taking the opportunity to see how far my music could go," Anslom shared.
This international drive has already seen him command stages across the Pacific, including recent standout performances in Vanuatu and Noumea, New Caledonia. For Anslom, the reception has been deeply encouraging, proving that his music maintains a powerful, recognizable resonance far beyond Papua New Guinea.
To Anslom, reggae is far more than entertainment—it is a critical platform for storytelling, addressing everyday social issues, and fostering positive mindsets. He credits global icons Bob Marley and the late South African reggae legend Lucky Dube as his foundational influences.
"Lucky Dube particularly influenced me because of the way he used his songs to speak about life and the issues affecting ordinary people, rather than focusing solely on romantic themes," Anslom noted. This blend of meaningful lyricism, strong melodies, and authentic reggae rhythms heavily defined the trajectory of his own sound.
Marking the next major milestone in his career, Anslom officially released his brand-new single, ‘Running To You’, on Friday 30th October 2026, across all major digital music platforms, alongside its official music video.
The track serves as a core preview of his highly anticipated upcoming album, One Love, which has been in production since January at Irie Music Studios. Anslom highly commended the vital production contributions of Toxic, as well as the overarching support of the Irie Music Studios team. Final mixing and mastering for the project were completed in Australia.
The creation of One Love served as an extensive collaborative experience with international heavyweights, including the legendary Aston Barrett and other veteran musicians. Anslom describes the process as a priceless exchange of musical wisdom, connection-building, and recording techniques.
"The collaboration process is not only about creating songs, but also about learning from one another and building relationships that can open doors for other Papua New Guinean musicians," he explained.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the new track, Anslom revealed that ‘Running To You’ carries a dual meaning. "One interpretation is about relentlessly pursuing a goal despite challenges and setbacks. Another relates to relationships, deep commitment, and being there for someone no matter the circumstances. Ultimately, the message is about persistence, loyalty, and never giving up on what matters."
With ‘Running To You’ now live, Anslom solidifies his footprint in the regional reggae scene while paving the way for the full launch of One Love. His journey is far from over, with more music, cross-border collaborations, and global stages on the horizon.
‘Running To You’ and its official music video are available now on Spotify, YouTube, and all major digital streaming platforms.
