分类： entertainment

Veteran dancehall performer Spragga Benz is not settling for a standard private birthday party to mark his latest milestone. Instead, the Jamaican entertainer has built an ambitious multi-city tour experience titled ‘Journey to Kingston’, designed to honor his decades-long career, his closest collaborators, and the cultural roots that shaped his iconic sound.

The cross-continental event series will launch its first stop on May 30 in Miramar, Florida, before moving to a second showing in Philadelphia, and wrapping with a star-studded flagship showcase in Kingston, Jamaica — the city that the artist says remains the heart of both his personal identity and artistic practice. In a lighthearted interview, Spragga Benz teased that the opening Florida event will feature a stacked lineup including fellow dancehall greats Wayne Wonder and Agent Sasco, with surprise guests making unannounced appearances throughout the night. He framed the opening stop as an energetic ‘Camperdown takeover’, nodding to his Jamaican artistic origins.

Beyond the fanfare of a birthday celebration, Spragga Benz emphasized that the core vision for the series centers on reflection and gratitude for the community that has supported his career across more than 40 years. The tour is designed as a tribute to the peers, mentors, and fans who have walked alongside him throughout his evolution as an artist. ‘It’s going to be a celebration of my journey in music to this point; people who I met along the way, great friends who always support each other, and we’re getting the opportunity now to showcase it in a really clean and classical manner,’ he explained.

The final Kingston showcase will carry unique cultural and personal weight, with a innovative format that reimagines traditional dancehall performance. Spragga Benz plans to blend decades of reggae and dancehall nostalgia with full orchestral arrangements, transforming the event from a standard concert into a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. The lineup will include appearances from multiple members of the iconic Marley family: Stephen, Damian, and Ky-Mani Marley will share the stage alongside rising young talent including Mystic and Yohan. Orchestral accompaniment will be provided by musicians from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts School of Music, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious performing arts institutions, a choice Spragga Benz says aligns with his goal of framing Kingston as a culturally rich classical city. ‘We have Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts School of Music, which is one of the top schools of music in the Caribbean, so we are supposed to showcase the thing, and not just in a boogu-yagga way,’ he noted.

The performances will pull heavily from what Spragga Benz’s longtime collaborator and friend Wayne Wonder playfully calls their ‘lion-logue’ — a sprawling, decades-spanning catalog of beloved hit tracks that sets veteran industry artists apart from newer acts. Spragga Benz noted that even he could perform for a full two hours drawing just from his own most iconic work, and the combined lineup would have no shortage of fan favorites. Instead of rushing through dozens of tracks to fill time, the team has curated a tight setlist of songs that hold deep personal meaning from across their collective journey in the industry. ‘Each of us combined, it is going to be something special. We won’t be doing every song from our catalogue, just specially chosen songs that mean a lot to us along our journey coming up,’ he said.

The celebratory tour also mirrors the remarkable evolution of Spragga Benz’s career, which has expanded far beyond the boundaries of dancehall music. From starting out as a young emerging artist to expanding into film and other areas of the entertainment industry, growth has been a consistent throughline in his decades-long career. ‘My career has moved a lot from where it started from, definitely, because now I’m even involved in movies and other aspects of entertainment as well. And, for a person who never even saw themselves as an artiste or deejay, it’s been a good ride for me,’ he reflected. ‘I see a lot of growth along the way for me.’

That same theme of gratitude, maturity, and growth is central to Spragga Benz’s newest single, *Hallelujah*, a track born from a period of deep personal introspection. He explains that the song centers on the importance of giving thanks for life’s blessings, and reflects the perspective he has gained with age. ‘Yuh haffi give thanks inna everything and give thanks for the giving of thanks. As we are talking about the journey and growth in life. I see a lot of growth in myself, and Hallelujah kinda talk about a lot of that,’ he said. ‘At one stage, as an entertainer, I was definitely out there, but now, at this age, I see that I don’t need to be certain places or do and say certain things. And we have enough experience now to try impart knowledge to others and show them certain things never work and advise them to regroup when things aren’t working.’

For Spragga Benz, the track captures the quiet peace and balance he has found in this stage of his life, a far cry from the chaotic pace of his earlier career. ‘I can kick back inna mi pajamas right now and be a better father, that’s what Hallelujah is for me,’ he said. He added that the track’s concept was inspired by his longtime friend Banka, who helped shape the song’s core narrative, and that the track’s music video was filmed on location in Barbados, capturing the laid-back, grateful energy of the song.

As anticipation builds for the Journey to Kingston series, the event is shaping up to be far more than a retrospective of a legendary career. Instead, it offers a carefully curated look at an artist who continues to grow and evolve, honoring his Jamaican roots, celebrating the community that lifted him up, and sharing the hard-won wisdom that comes with decades in the entertainment industry.

In a surprise Friday release that sent shockwaves through the global hip-hop and dancehall communities, global rap superstar Drake dropped three full-length studio albums simultaneously, opening up major spotlight opportunities for three talented Jamaican music creators, including a rising young Montego Bay producer.

The 25-year-old beatmaker Justin “Mvssivh” Junagadala, who hails from the West Gate community of St James, earned not one but two production credits across the new project slate: one on *Ran to Atlanta*, a high-profile collab from the 18-track album *Iceman* that also features Atlanta rap heavyweights Future and Molly Santana, and a second on *New Bestie*, a track from the 11-song *Maid of Honour* that includes a lyrical shoutout to iconic incarcerated dancehall artist Vybz Kartel. Well-known Jamaican dancehall star Popcaan also landed a feature spot on *Amazing Shape*, another track housed on *Maid of Honour*, marking the latest in a long string of high-profile cross-Atlantic collaborations between the Jamaican star and Drake.

Sharing his excitement with fans on Instagram following the drop, Mvssivh opened up about the years of grind that led to the career milestone. “Still can’t process this…constant sleepless nights for the last three years to make this play happen. God is the greatest…the show keeps going,” he wrote in a caption alongside the official *Maid of Honour* album art. For his *Iceman* credit, he confirmed he split production duties on *Ran to Atlanta* with two of the industry’s most in-demand hitmakers, Wheezy and Southside, writing “produced by yours truly and the guys.”

A lifelong music producer who started crafting beats as a teenager, Mvssivh is an alumnus of both Heinz Simonitch and Hillel Academy, and the new Drake placements mark one of the biggest breaks of his young career so far. He is far from the only Jamaican creative tapped for the new album rollout: Toronto-based Jamaican super producer Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels picked up a co-production credit for *National Treasures* on *Iceman*, while Jamaican artist-songwriter Tyshane “BEAM” Thompson — son of legendary gospel recording artist Papa San — earned a songwriting credit for *Which One*, the 11-song track from *Iceman* that features UK rap star Central Cee.

A slew of other top commercial artists also appear across the three album drops, including rising American rap star Sexyy Red, Grammy-nominated R&B artist PARTYNEXTDOOR, and UK drill trailblazer Central Cee, alongside the other collaborators. The simultaneous triple album release marks one of the most ambitious drops of Drake’s decade-plus career, and the inclusion of multiple Jamaican talents highlights the ongoing massive influence of Caribbean production and vocal talent on mainstream global hip-hop and pop.

One of reggae music’s most exciting rising stars, Immanuel ‘Ras-I’ Kerr has formally launched his highly anticipated third full-length studio project, *Heart of Love*, which made its official global debut on Friday, May 15.

Kerr, who previously earned critical acclaim and fan favor for the fan-favorite tracks Kingman Ting and Crazy Over You, has crafted this new 12-track collection as a curated selection of upbeat, soul-warming reggae designed to lift listeners’ spirits. Three cuts have already emerged as early standout selections from the album: Somewhere Wonderful, Reggae Mountain, and the collaborative track Oya, which features a guest verse from popular dancehall artist Govana. Industry observers note the new release further solidifies Kerr’s growing reputation as a consistent hitmaker, with the cohesive, well-crafted project standing as proof of his evolving artistic range.

Ahead of the official street date, Kerr hosted an album launch celebration on Thursday, May 14 at Kingston’s popular Janga’s Soundbar & Grill. The event drew a packed crowd of enthusiastic fans, music industry stakeholders, and fellow artists, all gathered to honor Kerr’s career milestone. Many of Kerr’s peers in the Jamaican music scene turned out to show their support in person, including prominent reggae and dancehall acts Christopher Martin, Turbulence, Bugle, Naomi Cowan, Joby Jay, Royal Blu, and Jah Lil, among dozens of other attendees.

As of the official release date, *Heart of Love* is available for both streaming and digital purchase across every major global audio platform, allowing fans anywhere in the world to access the new record.

Thousands of reggae fans packed New York’s UBS Arena for the highly anticipated “Mother’s Day Experience” concert, and the opening performer left an unforgettable mark long before the headlining reggae legends stepped into the spotlight. Emerging artist Lady Da Flame delivered a powerhouse opening set that transformed the building’s growing energy into an electric, communal celebration, setting the stage for a night of soulful rhythm and heartfelt music.

As concertgoers gradually filled the venue, Lady Da Flame immediately infused the space with warmth, contagious energy, and building anticipation for the evening ahead. During her moving performance of *Goodness of God*, her rich, clear voice echoed across every corner of the arena, drawing the crowd deeper into the experience and softening the mood for the star-studded performances still to come. Audience members swayed in unison to every beat, nodded along to the smooth melodies, and grew louder in their applause with each new track she performed.

Staying true to the Mother’s Day theme of the event, Lady Da Flame dedicated a moving number to mothers everywhere with *Mama Gave Us Life*. Her soulful delivery resonated with every person in the crowd, winning over dozens of new fans before she transitioned into a dynamic medley of classic and contemporary reggae tracks. The set included reimagined takes on Betty Wright’s *No Pain* and *Second Time* on the 2 Times Riddim, before she leaned into the lover’s rock tradition with hauntingly beautiful renditions of Phyllis Dillon, the Queen of Lover’s Rock’s iconic tracks *Perfidia* and *One Life to Live*. She closed out her opening set with an upbeat, passion-fueled version of Dillon’s *Don’t Stay Away*, pouring raw emotion into every note and cementing the unforgettable tone for the entire night.

Concert attendees left the set remarking that Lady Da Flame did far more than just open the show – she ignited the collective spirit of the night, perfectly preparing the audience for the headline sets from reggae and soul stars Beres Hammond, Stephanie Mills, and Romain Virgo.

Fresh off her standout performance in New York, Lady Da Flame is now back in her home country of Jamaica promoting her latest project, the *Journey* EP. According to the singer, the independent release has seen remarkable commercial success since its launch: streaming numbers are consistently high, and the record has charted multiple times across international markets, most notably in the United Kingdom.

Produced by Rawborn Productions, the EP is led by the standout single *No One Like You (Remake)*, a collaboration with legendary reggae singer Sanchez. The track has already broken into the top ethnic reggae charts in the United States and is earning regular airplay on radio stations across the globe. Lady Da Flame spoke enthusiastically about her experience working with the iconic artist, noting that Sanchez’s extreme talent and professional demeanor made the recording process smooth and natural. “The musical chemistry just cannot be explained,” she shared of the collaboration.

Additional tracks on the seven-track project include *All Praises To The Most High* and *More Dan Prayer*. More than just a collection of songs, the *Journey* EP reflects Lady Da Flame’s personal spiritual journey and artistic growth, crafted to uplift listeners, energize crowds, and renew spiritual connection for audiences everywhere.

Lady Da Flame first rose to prominence in global gospel circles for her breakout hit *God Answers Prayers*, which has earned more than 8.3 million views on YouTube alone. The track remains her most successful release to date, accumulating more than one billion total streams across digital platforms. The hit has solidified her standing in the ethnic gospel space, with multiple popular gospel releases earning a loyal fanbase across diaspora communities worldwide.

Against a backdrop of surging demand for soul and reggae-focused cultural experiences among the Caribbean diaspora spread across North America and Europe, Jamaican entertainment promoter Fabian Cole — widely known by his industry nickname “Boomas” — is taking his beloved Soul Food Caribbean Festival brand beyond Caribbean borders for the first time. What started as a small, beloved weekly gathering called Soul Food Tuesdays on the island of Jamaica has steadily grown into a full-scale international cultural festival, with already well-received sold-out editions successfully staged in both England and Canada.

Cole built the entire festival movement around three core pillars that set it apart from other mass entertainment events: timeless classic soul music, immersive authentic Caribbean culture, and one-of-a-kind local culinary experiences that give attendees a true taste of the region. In an interview, Cole highlighted a shifting cultural landscape in his home country that laid the groundwork for the festival’s growth. “Jamaica is globally known for dancehall, but there is a burgeoning soul movement taking root right here right now,” he said. “Audiences connect deeply with the warm vibe and the raw emotional resonance that soul music brings, something they can’t get from other genres.”

Up next on the festival’s global schedule is the 2026 Canadian edition, scheduled to take place on Canada Day, July 1, 2026, in Markham, Ontario. The upcoming show will headline a stacked lineup of iconic and emerging reggae talent, including legendary Jamaican performer Capleton, fan-favorite Gyptian, and fast-rising young artist D’Yani. Cole explained the choice of Markham’s Esna Park as the event venue, noting its strategic central location in the Greater Toronto Area, ample adjacent parking in the surrounding commercial district, and easy accessibility for attendees traveling from across the region. “It’s a very centralised location, and people can get around easily here,” Cole said.

Cole shared that early ticket sales for the 2026 Markham festival have already outperformed projections, a success he attributes to the long-standing, deep-rooted appreciation for reggae culture that exists across Canadian communities. Even as the brand expands outward, Cole emphasized that reggae and soul’s cross-cultural appeal remains the foundation of its international traction. “Canadians love reggae music,” he said. “We share that cultural connection, and Canadians have always had a solid grounding and love for reggae.”

Looking toward the future, Cole has ambitious expansion plans for the Soul Food Caribbean Festival brand, with target new North American markets including New York City and Los Angeles. Most importantly, the promoter says he is committed to bringing a large-scale flagship edition of the festival back to his home country. “We’re Jamaican and we built this brand from here, so we definitely have to put on a major staging of the festival in Jamaica,” he confirmed. Cole also dropped a hint about future headliners, revealing that he hopes to bring acclaimed American R&B songstress Keyshia Cole to the Jamaican festival edition in a future year.

As warm summer days approach, iconic Jamaican dancehall artist Konshens has launched his highly anticipated new 12-track project, *Pool Party 2.0*, that puts unfiltered fun and high-energy party vibes front and center. Released globally on Friday, May 8, this album marks the follow-up to his hit first *Pool Party* compilation, a record that cemented his reputation as one of dancehall’s most successful cross-over acts with a massive global fanbase.

While the first installment generated major industry buzz and career-changing momentum for Konshens, the artist says his core priority for this second iteration is not critical acclaim or commercial performance – it is spreading joy. “My vision for this album was all about fun and good energy,” Konshens shared in comments about the project. “I’m trying to make people think of the dancehall, especially with summer right around the corner. Good vibes, high energy – that’s literally my mode for the remainder of my career, because I think there isn’t enough focus on that. This 2.0 version will be different from the last Pool Party project because it’s not as serious, and no attempt was made to strike that forced balance. This one is just fun party bangers.”

The project features a stacked roster of collaborative talent, bringing together producers and recording artists from across the Caribbean and international markets to create a cohesive sound rooted in classic Jamaican party culture, with flourishes of Caribbean, Latin, and global contemporary influences. The album’s lead focus track, *Like We*, pairs Konshens with legendary dancehall pioneer Beenie Man, offering a fresh modern reimagining of Beenie Man’s iconic 1996 hit *Old Dog*. Originally crafted by fabled dancehall producer Dave Kelly for his iconic Madhouse Records imprint, the original track featured on the genre-defining Stink rhythm. Remarkably, *Like We* is co-produced by Kelly himself, bridging decades of dancehall history by blending the raw, timeless energy of the 1996 original with a cutting-edge contemporary production that resonates with today’s global dancehall audience.

For Konshens, the collaboration is more than just a catchy party track – it is a deliberate contribution to the growing nostalgia wave reshaping dancehall, designed to introduce a new generation of young listeners to the genre’s legendary roots. “I think it’s important to contribute to the nostalgia wave in dancehall right now,” he explained. “I realise there’s an effort to get kids nowadays to see and hear for the first time what made these sounds and moods from back in the day so fire and not corny like they’ve been programmed to believe. I’m excited to see what this realisation will do to their creativity in the next few years.” He added that the track was actually recorded years ago and shelved, as he never expected Kelly would approve the sample clearance. To his surprise, the legendary producer praised the track as “tough” and gave it his full blessing to be released.

Production on the full album is led primarily by IZYBEATS and SUBMACHINE ENT, who anchor the project’s overall sonic direction, with additional production contributions from Dave Kelly, Tony Kelly, Jonny Blaze, Stadic, King Kosa, and Symon Dice. Alongside Beenie Man, featured artists include UK-based dancehall favorite Stylo G, Chudney J, and Ayetian. Standout tracks beyond the lead single include *Perfect Timing* produced by King Kosa and Jonny Blaze, *Rum Club* produced by Jonny Blaze and Stadic, and *South Side* produced by Symon Dice. The project also includes a notable lead guitar performance from Xeryus Gittens on *She Jus Wah Wine*, with publishing administered through Songs of Universal (BMI).