分类： entertainment

Two of Jamaica’s most celebrated recording artists, Zagga and Tarrus Riley, have unveiled the official music video for their much-hyped collaborative track *I’m Alright* — a fan-favorite cut from Zagga’s latest full-length album, *Piece of Paradise*. The project leans hard into core themes of unshakable positivity, steady perseverance, and unwavering inner strength, crafting an uplifting narrative that encourages listeners to push through life’s hurdles while holding fast to faith, gratitude, and resilient spirit.

The accompanying visual brings the song’s heartfelt message to vivid life, pairing authentic storytelling and bright, energetic cinematography with the palpable, organic chemistry that exists between the two Jamaican musicians. Speaking on the new release, Zagga shared that the final product aligns perfectly with the team’s original creative vision. “Everybody had an input so it’s personal for everyone. As usual collaborating with Tarrus Riley is always seamless because that’s my fam in real life. I genuinely hope everybody get to watch and enjoy the vibes,” he explained.

Genre-bending at its core, the collaboration merges Zagga’s signature high-octane dancehall dynamism with Tarrus Riley’s soul-soaked reggae roots. The resulting track is a powerhouse anthem that strikes a deep chord with audiences navigating routine hardships, reminding them that hope and optimism remain accessible choices even in hard times. Even before the video’s debut, *I’m Alright* had already built a loyal global fanbase, holding strong as a widely shared reminder that strength and hopefulness can outlast even the toughest moments. With the launch of the official visual, the track’s encouraging message gets a powerful new layer, marking another key milestone in the successful rollout of Zagga’s *Piece of Paradise* album.

Jamaican-bred, Atlanta-based recording artist Vybrid, born Ashley Howard Johnson, is set to premiere the official visual accompaniment for his deeply personal single *Outlet* on June 17, crafting a project centered on the underdiscussed topics of mental wellness, self-compassion, and personal resilience.

Helmed by production outfit LoudSpeakr, with audio mixing and mastering handled by CheekyDon Music, *Outlet* confronts a critical societal conversation that often remains sidelined in mainstream music. The track encourages audiences to seek out healthy coping mechanisms for life’s inevitable hardships, while reinforcing a core message that no one has to navigate their struggles alone. For Vybrid, the release carries far more weight than a typical new music drop, rooted in authentic personal connection to the material.

“What draws me most to this track and its accompanying visualiser is the raw authenticity and unfiltered emotion woven through every part of it,” Vybrid shared in an interview. “This gives me the chance to connect with audiences and shine a much-needed light on an issue that is too often pushed out of public view.”

The visualiser, edited by CDflymz, is designed to amplify the track’s core message through evocative visual storytelling, and includes a special cameo appearance from artist Ccuz, with cameo footage captured and edited by Kontrol The Town. LoudSpeakr, the lead producer on the track, emphasized that the project is intended to serve a purpose far beyond casual entertainment.

“I’m so proud that both the song and visualiser work together to push mental health awareness and encourage overall well-being,” LoudSpeakr explained. “*Outlet* pushes people to seek out positive coping strategies for life’s challenges, and the visualiser brings that message to life in a way that feels meaningful and engaging for audiences.”

This *Outlet* collaboration marks the second successful joint project between Vybrid and LoudSpeakr, following the April release of the track *Grip*, which was featured on the well-received 1876 Riddim. The producer spoke highly of the creative dynamic between the two, praising Vybrid’s commitment to purpose-driven music. “Working on this project has been incredible,” he said. “Vybrid is tremendously talented, endlessly creative, and truly passionate about making music that matters, which makes collaborating with him such a pleasure.”

Vybrid echoed that positive assessment, highlighting the natural creative chemistry that has developed between the two artists. “Every experience I’ve had working with LoudSpeakr has been amazing,” he said. “I’ve learned so much about the music industry working alongside them. There’s no ego between us — just two people who love what we do, which makes creating together easy and completely authentic.”

Vybrid has built a growing industry reputation for his artistic versatility, refusing to box himself into a single musical genre. Whether crafting a high-energy dancehall bop, a soulful reggae ballad, or a smooth, sultry R&B cut, his creative direction is always guided by the emotional mood and core message he wants to share with listeners. Born in the Richmond Park community of St. Andrew, Jamaica to Guyanese parents who studied at the University of the West Indies, Vybrid later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he has continued to refine his craft and grow his audience. Over the course of his career, he has opened for iconic reggae and dancehall acts including Spragga Benz, Ky-Mani Marley, Junior Reid, Dexta Daps, and Mr Vegas, and has collaborated with a roster of renowned producers including Patexx, SlayBad, and Delly Ranx, among others.

With the upcoming release of *Outlet*, Vybrid hopes audiences leave the experience with a renewed sense of self-worth and connection to community. “My biggest hope is that listeners take away that no one is alone on this journey we call life, but that change starts with self-love,” he explained. “It’s about realizing that confidence in yourself is the foundation, and also lifting other people up when they’re struggling with self-doubt.”

LoudSpeakr shares that same core goal for the release. “I hope audiences connect with the message and feel inspired to seek out positive, healthy outlets in their own lives,” he said. “If even one person is encouraged by this video to keep moving forward and make healthier choices for themselves, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.”

Beyond the upcoming drop of *Outlet*, the release also serves as a preview of a much larger collaborative project currently in the works. Vybrid and LoudSpeakr are putting the final touches on a full EP that will showcase the artist’s range across genres and highlight his artistic growth in recent years.

“The upcoming EP we’ve been working on is going to stand on its own, with incredible quality and real substance that listeners can connect with,” Vybrid said. “We’re blending really unique sounds and styles to create something really special.” According to LoudSpeakr, the project is currently around 90% complete, with a full release scheduled before the end of the calendar year. The EP will pull from reggae and dancehall influences across all tracks, which will all be mixed and mastered by CheekyDon Music, and the lead single for the project is set to be *Nah Lie*.

Three decades after it first hit commercial airwaves, one of reggae-dancehall’s most enduring hits continues to rack up historic milestones. On June 11, Shaggy’s genre-defining title track *Boombastic* — pulled from his third studio album of the same name — was officially awarded 2x platinum certification by music industry authorities in New Zealand. This distinction marks the track has moved more than 60,000 combined units, counting both traditional sales and streaming equivalent units.

Renowned Jamaican businesswoman Sheila Lee, whose quiet but impactful contributions shaped decades of Caribbean music and cultural events, passed away on June 6 at her home in Florida at the age of 83. The news was confirmed by her daughter Julianne in an interview with Observer Online.

Born Sheila Khouri in Kingston, Jamaica, Lee grew up as the oldest of 10 children in a family of Lebanese heritage with deep roots in Jamaica’s emerging music sector. Her family connection to the industry ran early: her father Michel was a cousin to Ken Khouri, the trailblazing founder of Federal Records who laid the foundational infrastructure for Jamaican popular music. Growing up in Kingston’s tight-knit creative circle, Lee became close with Ronnie Nasralla, a fellow St George’s College graduate and friend of bandleader Byron Lee, which sparked the first meeting between Sheila and Byron. The pair went on to marry 41 years, raising three daughters together before Byron’s death in 2008 at age 73.

Throughout her husband’s decades-long career, Lee worked as a behind-the-scenes driving force across nearly all of his professional ventures. When Byron founded his iconic band The Dragonaires at St George’s College in 1955, Lee stepped into a key supporting role, and during the ska revolution of the early 1960s, she helped popularize the global dance craze by making public appearances alongside the band as their track *Jamaican Ska* climbed the regional charts. She also played a central role in the operations of Dynamic Sounds, the influential recording and distribution company Byron launched in 1964, which hosted countless iconic Jamaican music sessions over decades of operation.

In 1990, when Byron Lee launched Jamaica Carnival, the landmark annual celebration that brought Eastern Caribbean soca culture to Kingston’s streets and drew tens of thousands of attendees each year, Lee was integral to the event’s organization and long-term success. Beyond her work alongside her husband, Lee built a lasting legacy of her own as the founder and operator of Sheila Music, a successful music publishing company that supported Jamaican creators for years.

Lee is survived by her three daughters Judith, Julianne and Danielle, three grandchildren, four brothers, and four sisters. One brother predeceased her. A thanksgiving service to honor her life and legacy is scheduled for June 19 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

On a lively Saturday night at Kingston’s Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, iconic dancehall artist Popcaan transported a sold-out crowd through an intimate, career-spanning journey of faith, growth, and gratitude with his landmark *Nothing Without God – LIVE* production. The venue drew a remarkably diverse cross-section of attendees, ranging from sitting members of Jamaican parliament and leading entertainment industry executives to prominent local business owners, plus passionate music fans traveling from across the island and the global Jamaican diaspora to witness the one-night-only event.

Far from a standard concert, the performance marked a clear new chapter in Popcaan’s decades-long career, showcasing a more reflective, mature artist whose core connection with his fanbase has not dimmed in the years since he first rose to stardom. The night’s energy was built gradually by a stacked lineup of opening acts, each leaning into the event’s overarching theme of inspiration and spiritual conviction. Emerging Jamaican artist Jah Izrael kicked off the proceedings with a rousing, soulful set that laid the groundwork for the evening’s message, followed by vocalist Nordia Mothersille, whose dynamic performance resonated deeply with early arrivers. Next up, Runkus brought his signature high-octane stage presence straight from the recent release of his new album *Super Nova*, pumping up the crowd ahead of the main event. Dancehall favorite Jah Vinci then delivered a powerful, crowd-pleasing set that pushed anticipation for Popcaan to a fever pitch.

One of the most emotionally resonant moments of the entire night came before the headliner even took the stage: Popcaan’s mother, Rhona, stepped to the front of the stage to deliver a heartfelt, sincere prayer that aligned perfectly with the spiritual core of the *Nothing Without God* project. When Popcaan finally emerged, clad in a crisp all-white suit, the packed venue erupted in deafening cheers that lasted for several minutes. Fans sang along word-for-word as the artist, affectionately nicknamed the Unruly Boss, worked through a curated tracklist from his latest album, weaving in stories of his personal journey and artistic evolution that turned a standard concert set into a shared, intimate experience with the crowd. He was joined mid-set by his brother Natebadz and rising artist Imeru Tafari, whose surprise guest spots added an extra layer of warmth and spontaneity to the production.

The momentum kept building through the night, with two more unannounced guest appearances from dancehall stars Govana and Richie Spice, both of whom were met with thunderous applause from the audience. The show reached its climax when Popcaan delivered a moving performance of his brand-new single “Life Still A Gwaan,” before closing out the historic night with a once-in-a-lifetime finale: he invited legendary foundational dancehall artists Pinchers and Nitty Cutchie on stage to join him, capping the evening with a cross-generational celebration of the genre he loves.

Event organizer Unruly Squid emphasized the unique nature of the production in post-show comments, noting, “This was more than a concert; it was a celebration of music, faith, family, and the unbreakable bond Popcaan shares with his fans. To see the fans turn out in full force to support this very personal vision was truly special.” As the final notes of the finale faded, *Nothing Without God – LIVE* cemented Popcaan’s status as one of dancehall’s most enduring and influential voices, proving that more than a decade after he first burst onto the scene, he remains one of the genre’s most respected and beloved figures.