Music

A Music Lover’s Journey Through the Making of a Legend Growing up as a music lover, Bob Marley’s voice always felt bigger than the speakers it came out of. Long before I ever visited Jamaica, his songs carried stories of…

I grew up in London with reggae in my veins. In Brixton clubs and at house parties, one name kept popping up in whispered reverence and raucous shouts: Yellowman — a man who would redefine Jamaican music and make the…

For The Rolling Stones, it was tax exile, reggae and a refreshing lack of cold weather that drew them straight to Kingston in 1972. That’s right — when Britain’s taxman was hot on their heels, Jamaica’s laid back studios were…

It’s hard not to feel awe when thinking about Jamaica’s impact on global music culture. This small Caribbean nation with a population of just a few million has given the world a musical language that is unmistakable, influential and enduring.…

For decades, Jamaica has exerted an almost gravitational pull on musicians from around the world. It has inspired some of the most celebrated international artists to journey there in search of authenticity, rhythm and creative renewal. The island has a…

As a lifelong music lover reggae wasn’t just background music — it was a heartbeat. I first fell in love with Bob Marley’s songs long before I ever set foot in Jamaica. There was something about his voice, that effortless…

Jamaica’s recording studio scene is rich, historic and vital to the global sound of reggae, ska, dub, dancehall and more. These studios reflect the rich tapestry of Jamaica’s recording industry — from the humble to globally renowned institutions. Each has…

Dancehall Reggae: From Sound Systems to Global Soundtracks – Dancehall reggae emerged in the early 1980s as a younger, grittier sibling of roots reggae. Where Bob Marley sang about liberation and love, dancehall artists like Yellowman were brash, witty and…

The Return of Dancehall’s King Adidja Azim Palmer, better known as Vybz Kartel, grew up in the vibrant, often chaotic neighbourhoods of Kingston, Jamaica. Born in January 1976 at Victoria Jubilee Hospital, he spent his early years in Waterhouse before…

How a Japanese woman helped revolutionize Jamaican ReggaeIn 1985, the world of Jamaican music changed forever with the release of Wayne Smith’s hit “Under Mi Sleng Teng”; a track that would usher in the digital era of reggae and forever…

With the return of Netflix’s retro hit Stranger Things, 1980s music is experiencing a well-deserved resurgenceand among the standout comebacks is “Pass the Dutchie” by British-Jamaican reggae band Musical Youth. Featured in the show, the track has captivated a new…