The place’s the Reggae, Jamaica?
Regardless of being the birthplace of reggae music, Jamaica’s streets in the present day inform a distinct story. Stroll via Kingston on whichever night time and also you’ll hear it, not the deep pulse of roots reggae, however the sharp, quicker, extra uncooked sounds of dancehall and entice. That’s the sound working the island proper now. However please, Jamaica, don’t let Reggae grow to be a Memento.
Reggae, the music that when carried Jamaica’s message to the world, an increasing number of appears to fade from its personal corners. Vacationers arrive hoping to catch a stay roots present or really feel that acquainted skank within the air, however typically they discover lodge bands looping Bob Marley hits. The brand new voices, those pushing reggae ahead, are barely heard.
It’s not that the artists are gone! They’re lively, recording, touring, and representing Jamaica throughout the globe. However at residence, the phases are scarce, the sound programs don’t spin their songs, and radio stations chase no matter’s trending on-line (not all). Typically, even if you drive throughout the island, it’s onerous to discover a roots reggae observe on the radio. The guts of reggae remains to be beating, simply not loud sufficient within the streets that gave it life. Attempt asking a random yute for the Congo’s, Joseph Hill, or Abyssinians…
One entire Month of Reggae
Each February, Kingston ‘lights up’ for Reggae Month. Occasions all of a sudden pop up, town celebrates its legends, and the federal government turns the highlight on what could also be Jamaica’s greatest cultural export. However the remainder of the yr, silence.
For a rustic whose world id was constructed on reggae, dedicating only one month to it feels unusual to many. You don’t have a good time reggae in bursts, it’s a part of Jamaica’s DNA. There needs to be extra continuity, extra reveals, extra reasoning classes, and a constant focus that retains the vitality alive all yr.
The Jamaica Reggae Trade Affiliation (JaRIA) has lengthy tried to maintain that flame burning. Their mission to champion the colourful spirit of Jamaica’s music and leisure product deserves respect, however they face actual challenges, from a scarcity of assist from Company Jamaica to the media’s obsession with hype over high quality. These struggles even led to the cancellation of their 2025 Annual Honour Awards, one of many few occasions that constantly acknowledged the depth of Jamaica’s artistic expertise.
Even the Island Music Convention, an area designed to cause concerning the state and way forward for Jamaican music, seemingly overlooks the urgency of this broader dialogue. There’s a necessity for extra trustworthy conversations about find out how to maintain reggae alive, not solely as heritage, however as a dwelling, respiratory drive within the tradition.
After all, there are nonetheless pockets of roots vitality across the island, from open mic classes to neighborhood phases, reggae reveals on the seashores in Negril like Roots Bamboo, and gatherings at Treasure Seaside or in Kingston at the Compound, Dub Membership, Jangas, or Skyline Ranges. Festivals like Wickie Wackie Fest and Insurgent Salute proceed to carry house for actual reggae tradition, whereas the brand new Kamp Fyah Competition in Westmoreland, set for March 2026, guarantees to convey again that genuine stay vibe. The spirit by no means left; it simply wants house to breathe.
Tourism Rises, Tradition Fades
Whereas reggae tradition appears to fade from the streets, Jamaica’s tourism business is booming. Tasks like The Pinnacle in Montego Bay, 4(!) luxurious towers set to be the tallest within the Caribbean, present how briskly the island is modernizing to draw high-end vacationers. However what’s going to they expertise after they arrive? In all probability not the sort of Pinnacle that when stood in Sligoville, St. Catherine, thought-about the birthplace of the Rastafari motion, based by Leonard Howell within the Forties.
The federal government’s present efforts, like Reggae Month, are merely not sufficient to cost Model Jamaica as each a vacationer paradise and a music lover’s nirvana. The period of branding Jamaica solely as a winter-getaway vacation spot is over.
Regardless of anticipating over 4 million vacationers yearly, with forecasts of greater than 5 million by 2026, the query stays: what number of of them come to go to the island for reggae and Rastafari tradition?
Even the Jamaica Vacationer Board nonetheless shies away from utilizing reggae as one of many island’s most important cultural pillars in its campaigns. But reggae and Rastafari are what made Jamaica resonate with the world. In my humble opinion, with out them, the nation dangers promoting a phenomenal vacation spot, however shedding its soul.
On a Reggae Strip
Kingston as soon as buzzed with stay corners, sound programs, and college FETEs. The Lawns and Yards have been filled with music, dance, and spirit. These nights created reminiscences and artists. Now, the concept of making an actual ‘reggae strip’ might assist convey that pulse again.
Revitalizing Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay or constructing an identical hub in Kingston (perhaps even close to the Downtown Artwork Stroll Space) would give locals and vacationers a cause to step out once more. Venues, small phases, report outlets, extra murals, and meals stalls might all assist rebuild a dwelling reggae ecosystem. Carry again that Skateland sort of vibe.
JamWorld Returns
Leisure and Tradition Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange just lately introduced that the federal government has acquired the JamWorld Leisure Centre in Portmore, St Catherine, the non secular residence of Sting, with plans to make it Jamaica’s first 24-hour leisure advanced.
That’s a giant transfer, and if completed proper, JamWorld, though a bit off the cultural middle, might as soon as once more grow to be the beating coronary heart of reggae. Roots festivals, youth showcases, dub classes, and sound clashes might all discover a residence there, reconnecting the island with the music that constructed it.
The Shift in Sound
The sound of Jamaica is altering. Many youthful artists are fusing reggae with entice, hip-hop, and Afrobeats, creating hybrid sounds that match world playlists. However beneath that floor, the actual roots motion remains to be alive, simply not getting sufficient mild.
Acutely aware artists like David Sluhr, Birdz I, Matthew Malcolm, Italee, Kenny Smyth, Rik Jam, JahBradez, Micah Shemaiah, T’Jean, Hempress Sativa, Tennshann Invasion, Marlon Brown, Kuzikk, Dwell Wyya, and Rockaz Parts, to call just some, are protecting the inspiration sturdy, recording new roots music with message and objective. But, their songs hardly ever make it to native airwaves.
Alongside them, seasoned voices like Lutan Fyah, Sizzla, Jah Mason, Fantan Mojah, Anthony B, Junior Kelly, Luciano, and Natty King, and many others. proceed to launch acutely aware, roots-driven music yr after yr, displaying consistency the place the business typically appears the opposite means.
Jamaican radio must catch up. Extra roots, much less hype. The nation that created reggae ought to by no means should tune into overseas stations to listen to it.
Bringing Roots Reggae Again
If Jamaica needs to stay the guts of reggae, it has to nurture it from inside. Meaning extra promotion and communication round Native Roots Nights throughout Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril, occasions that may hyperlink younger artists with the elders who paved the best way.
There are already stable examples to construct on. The Jamaica’s Finest College Band Competitors retains stay efficiency alive among the many youth. The Alpha Boys College continues to provide gifted musicians, and the Edna Manley Faculty stays a cornerstone of inventive improvement. These establishments present that the roots are nonetheless there; they only want stronger platforms and visibility.
And past all that, there’s an vital reminder. In 2018, reggae music was added to UNESCO’s checklist of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. However that recognition comes with accountability. A heritage could be eliminated if it now not meets the standards that led to its inclusion, if it’s poorly managed, uncared for, or loses its cultural perform. If Jamaica actually needs to maintain reggae as its world cultural heritage, it has to step up its recreation.
It’s additionally on the communities, the artists, the selectors, and the colleges to maintain pushing roots reggae ahead. Many artists already marketing campaign for reggae in Jamaica via their performances on world phases. Reggae began from the individuals, and that’s the place it can rise once more!
The blueprint is already right here; it solely takes will, unity, and sound to convey it again to life. I suppose I simply sketched the playbook. Not having reggae on the streets of Jamaica is just like the Dutch not having bikes (or cheese) anymore, the Germans shedding their Slager, the French with out their chansons or baguettes beneath their arm, Portugal shedding its Fado, or Spain with out its Flamenco.
This isn’t a criticism, and it’s not one other “reggae is lifeless” headline, and it isn’t a rant in opposition to the evolution of Jamaica’s music.. It’s a reggae lover’s/ vacationer name from the guts for Jamaica to guard what the world already is aware of is priceless. So, earlier than the keyboard warriors begin typing, perceive: this comes from care, not criticism. In the meantime, I’ll maintain listening to my Mighty Diamonds, Wailing Souls, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Tradition, and I would even sprint een some Bob.
Yuh ketch my drift.
One Love, Danny Creatah
