reggae

Jamaica Gets Tourism Boost From Return of Reggae Sumfest

Jamaica’s Legendary Reggae Sumfest Is Back

The legendary Reggae Sumfest is back this year, with the legendary festival set to be held in person for the first time since before the pandemic. This year’s event will be held from July 18 to July 23 at Catherine …

The Caribbean’s Newest Reggae Hit Is a Love Letter to Antigua

Caribbean all-inclusive brand Elite Island Resorts has partnered with reggae legend Causion on a major new musical tribute to the island of Antigua. The song, Antigua Me Come From, is a common phrase of identity and heritage for Antiguans; a …

Shaggy and Sting are Partnering on Another New Album

A pair of global music legends are at it again. Jamaica’s Shaggy is partnering with Sting on another album, following their work together on the Grammy-winning 44/876 back in 2019. The new Sting-produced album, which debuts May 25, sees Shaggy …

Jamaica Mourns Lee “Scratch” Perry, a Founding Father of Reggae

The island of Jamaica is mourning one of its leading musical lights: producer Lee “Scratch” Perry, who passed away this week. Perry, considered one of the founding fathers of reggae music, was first a pioneer of dub music back in …

Jamaica’s Jimmy Cliff Has a New Single

Jamaica native and global music legend Jimmy Cliff has released his first new music in four years. It’s called “Human Touch,” and it’s a new single and video aimed at promoting “human interaction” amid the realities of the pandemic. “As …

Ziggy Marley on His Father, Reggae and Jamaica

Bob Marley would have been 75 years old this year, and while the reggae legend’s life was tragically cut short, his oldest son, Ziggy, has not only carried on his father’s musical legacy but his quest to make the world …

Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash 2020 Goes Virtual

Jamaica’s legendary Reggae Sunsplash festival has returned after a 14-year hiatus with a virtual event this year. This year’s reggae celebration will run Nov. 27-28, with one-of-a-kind access to live performances and artist interviews. The festival first debuted in 1978 …

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Chris Blackwell on Bob Marley, James Bond and Jamaica

If a fortune teller had stirred her tea leaves left instead of right one day in 1962, the world outside of Jamaica might never have heard of ska, reggae, or Bob Marley. That’s how close legendary record producer and Island …

From The Bahamas to Jamaica, The Talking Heads’ Caribbean Love Story

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz’s new book, Remain in Love, is a billet-doux to his bandmate and wife of more than 40 years, bassist Tina Weymouth, as well as documenting the couple’s musical journey together — first, as part of …

For Anguilla’s Bankie Banx, Nothing Stops the Music

Beach bars come and go like the tides in the Caribbean, sometimes washed out by hurricanes, sometimes falling victim to hard times, sometimes simply because their time has passed. So it’s perhaps ironic that Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve on Anguilla, …

The Wailers Just Released Their First Album in 25 Years

Legendary reggae band The Wailers has released their first new album in more than 25 years. The new Sony Music Latin album, One World, has 14 songs, including the single “One World, One Prayer” produced by Emilio Estefan. Also featured …

Dave Mason, Forever Feelin’ Alright in St Thomas

Musician Dave Mason’s biography reads like a who’s-who of rock history: the co-founder of the band Traffic with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood, writer of “Feelin’ Alright,” and performer of the ‘70s hit “We Just Disagree” counted Jimi …

A Caribbean Music Playlist That Will Take You to the Beach

Next to smell, there’s nothing like music to spark memories. So while we can’t bring you the fragrance of Frangipani (or even suntan lotion), these 15 songs capture the memory of times spent relaxing on Caribbean beaches, drinking rum drinks …

The Grenada Music Festival Is Back for 2020

The Caribbean’s newest music event is back again for 2020, with the second edition of the Grenada Music Festival. This year’s Grenada Music Festival will feature music superstars including Kool & the Gang, Shabba Ranks and Marcia Griffiths, among others. …

Gladys Knight, Beres Hammond Join St Kitts Music Festival

The Caribbean’s hottest music festival has added more big names to its 2020 agenda. The St Kitts Music Festival, now in its 24th year, has added Gladys Knight, Beres Hammond and Anthony B to the slate of performers for the …

Jamaica Looks to Kingston as New Caribbean Entertainment Center

Jamaica is looking to Kingston as it seeks to capitalize on its vast cultural offering. Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism is looking toward developing the island’s unique cultural events into full-fledged tourism products, and Kingston is the centerpiece of the plan. …