分类： entertainment

After more than 20 years shaping the global dancehall landscape, veteran deejay Spragga Benz retains the same electric enthusiasm for music that drove him at the start of his career, remaining deeply connected to the culture that turned him into a household name across the Caribbean and beyond. Whether he is dissecting the work of today’s rising dancehall stars, penning new original material, or debating shifting production trends in the genre, his commitment to dancehall’s evolution has never wavered.

Currently, the artist’s full attention is turned toward an ambitious new project: a full remix album of his recent studio release *Endeavors*, which pairs his original tracks with guest verses from a lineup of artists he personally admires. In a recent interview, Spragga Benz shared details of the collaborative project, naming established heavyweights including Agent Sasco, Grammy winner Sean Paul, Stonebwoy, Bugle, and I Wayne as already confirmed contributors, adding that he is also working to bring veteran reggae vocalist JC Lodge onto the project. “This next release is all about working with people I truly respect,” he explained.

This focus on cross-generational collaboration aligns with Spragga Benz’s broader perspective on today’s dancehall industry, where conversations about generational rifts often dominate public discourse. Positioning himself as a bridge between older and newer cohorts of artists, he says he has built mutual respect across age groups by leaning into openness rather than conflict. “I see myself as the in-between generation – I have love and respect for every artist out there,” he noted. “I don’t go out looking to disrespect anyone, and I walk away from tension when I can. I have no issues with the young artists coming up, and I hope they feel the same about me. Everything is good, and I’m ready to make music with any of them anytime.”

That open-minded approach has allowed him to keep close tabs on the new wave of talent redefining dancehall, and he has not been shy about highlighting the young artists that have caught his eye. One emerging act that stands out for him is breakout star Skeng, whose magnetic stage presence and unorthodox style he says elevates him beyond traditional deejaying. “I love Skeng’s energy – what he’s doing is totally different,” Spragga Benz explained. “I don’t know if he’s realized it yet, but he’s not just a deejay, he’s a rock star. In this new generation of artists, he’s in a class all his own.”

Other rising acts earning the veteran’s stamp of approval include Masicka, Jashii, and Bittah So Sicka, an up-and-coming artist from his own Red Square crew who he says has massive untapped potential.

Despite embracing the genre’s evolving sound and new generation of creators, Spragga Benz says the core of his passion for music has not changed in 20-plus years. To this day, he says, inspiration strikes immediately when he hears a beat that stands out from the crowd. “I love music, and I will always get excited over a great rhythm,” he shared. “Every time I hear a beat I like, that has a different groove or feels new to me, I immediately want to write a song. Whether I end up releasing it or not, I still create something – this is my work and it’s my hobby.”

One contemporary production trend that has piqued his interest lately is the wave of Hill and Gully Ride-inspired rhythms that have grown massively popular in modern dancehall. “I love the Hill an’ Gully sound – I would absolutely destroy that rhythm,” he said, joking that he has already been pressing producer Stephen McGregor to send him a version of the beat to work on. “It has the same raw energy as the classic Powercut rhythm, which fits right in with my era.”

Even as he welcomes new sounds, however, Spragga Benz did share one observation about a core element of dancehall culture he believes has faded over time: the traditional juggling rhythm format that allowed dozens of artists to layer their own unique perspectives and stories onto a single shared production. Today, he says, most productions are built for solo artists rather than collective juggling projects. “I prefer juggling rhythms because they let everyone get involved and tell their own story,” he explained. That said, he did critique a common trend he has observed in modern juggling projects: too many artists fixating on the same narrow topics, turning the format into a competition of who can repeat the same theme better. “I just want to see more creativity in the topics artists are exploring,” he added.

For Spragga Benz, the career mission he set out with decades ago remains unchanged: keep creating, keep evolving, and keep contributing to the growth of dancehall culture, whether that means collaborating with respected peers or lifting up the next generation of stars set to carry the genre forward.

A fresh collaborative effort is bringing a new dancehall sound to summer playlists, as seasoned music producer Realjedii has joined forces with established dancehall recording artist Frassman Brilliant to drop a fiery new lead single titled *Defiance*, the flagship track for Realjedii’s forthcoming third compilation project. In a recent interview with Observer Online, the producer opened up about the natural origins of the partnership, explaining that the pair already shares long-standing creative chemistry, and that the track came together seamlessly after weeks of casual conversation and a simple instrumental exchange. *Defiance* officially made its debut to digital streaming platforms on May 29 via Realjedii’s own label imprint Jedii Musiq, with global distribution handled by industry player ONErpm. Fans can also look forward to a fully produced official music video, scheduled to premiere just two days after the single’s release on May 31. What was initially framed as a full compilation album has shifted in development, Realjedii revealed, with the project currently taking shape as a tight six-track extended play (EP). The producer added that the final tracklist has not been locked in permanently, as he remains open to adding well-fitting new contributions, preferring to keep his compilation projects curated rather than overcrowded with excess material. “I don’t usually like to flood my jugglings with too many songs,” he explained of his intentional, quality-over-quantity curation approach. Beyond the lead single from Frassman Brilliant, the upcoming EP will also shine a spotlight on rising independent musical talent from across the globe, including Germany-based emerging artists Inti Ayvar Waltz and Dahdidah. Waltz’s contribution to the project, a track titled *Live Your Life*, is slated to get an official solo release in June, building hype ahead of the full EP drop. Highlighting the intentional creative direction behind this release, Realjedii noted that centering emerging artists is a deliberate strategic shift from his earlier compilation projects, which featured far fewer up-and-coming acts. Even with the focus on new talent, the producer tapped Frassman Brilliant, a recognizable and respected name in the global dancehall space, to lead the project with *Defiance*, balancing fresh new voices with the draw of an established fan favorite. This is far from the first time the two creatives have worked together: Realjedii boasts an already established discography of previous popular projects, including the well-received *Balla Riddim* and *Jama-piano* collections, and he and Brilliant have collaborated on multiple earlier tracks including *Balla* and *African Beauty*, with several unreleased collaborations already waiting in the wings. Frassman Brilliant echoed the pair’s long-standing professional bond, noting that Realjedii has been a core member of his support team since the earliest days of his career. For the dancehall artist, *Defiance* is more than just a new single – it is a deeply personal track that reflects his core identity and approach to life. “Defiance is just who I am and will always be, so I am just speaking from a real place as far as the song is concerned,” Brilliant shared. For Realjedii, the timing of the release is intentional: the producer says he aimed to drop the project ahead of the summer season to deliver fresh, upbeat tracks perfect for warm-weather vibes, while continuing to grow his own expansive musical catalogue. “I am always working on building my musical catalogue,” he added.

Fresh off the triumphant completion of its third annual 30+ Fashion Show and Expo, Jamaican media firm Compass Communication has unveiled an exciting new initiative: the Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant. Billed as a transformative, inclusive platform, the pageant was created to center and celebrate the beauty, fortitude, self-assurance, and ongoing growth of women over 30 across Jamaica.

When the 30+ Fashion Show and Expo wrapped its successful run, event organizers heard a resounding call from participating attendees: mature women across the country wanted more space to showcase themselves and their journeys. “After the curtains closed on one unforgettable event, the voices of mature women grew louder with one clear message, ‘We’re not done yet… give us more,’” shared Stephanie Elliott-Gunning, founder and CEO of Compass Communication. “I immediately went into action and started planning the Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant.”

The new pageant is a natural expansion of the movement that grew out of the existing 30+ Fashion Show and Expo, which spent three years building momentum around the idea that women deserve to embrace full, purpose-driven lives and remain visible long after turning 30. The upcoming competition will expand on that core mission, while creating tangible opportunities for participants to build empowerment, pursue personal growth, and earn meaningful representation that has long been missing from mainstream beauty and competition spaces.

Elliott-Gunning emphasized that the pageant’s core message remains rooted in self-acceptance across all life stages: “The message remains the same, we are beautiful at every stage of our lives. But a mature woman who embraces her flaws and ventures out to become all she can be, that is exemplary. It also sends a powerful message to our youth. Unlike many women of our generation who grew up doubting ourselves, we want younger women to know not to wait to believe in themselves.”

Already, applications are open for the inaugural competition, which is scheduled to take place in August 2026. Organizers report that early public response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with women across the country jumping at the chance to push their own boundaries, build self-confidence, and check lifelong dreams off their bucket lists.

“Applications are coming in from enthusiastic contestants who believe this platform will help them in various areas of their lives,” Elliott-Gunning noted. “Whether it is to finally live out a dream, overcome shyness or simply embrace a new chapter, these women are excited to begin the journey.”

One of the early contestants already drawing attention is 37-year-old Shanique Anderson, a Clarendon native who says the opportunity means far more than earning a pageant crown. For Anderson, competing is a chance to reframe harmful narratives about aging and women’s potential.

“Being a contestant in the Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant means a lot to me because it gives me the opportunity to inspire other women and show that age is just a number,” Anderson said. “Beauty, confidence and purpose do not fade with time. As women, we can still pursue our dreams, passions and goals no matter the challenges or obstacles we may face in life.”

Anderson added that the platform fills a critical gap for women who have faced life setbacks or struggled with internalized self-doubt, representing a symbol of empowerment and persistence for a demographic that is often sidelined in popular culture. “This pageant represents strength, resilience and self-belief. It reminds women that even when life knocks us down or makes us feel less than enough, we can always rise again stronger and more determined. I want to be an example that it is never too late to shine, grow and become the woman you were always meant to be.”

Even before the official competition kicks off, Anderson says the journey has already sparked meaningful personal change for her. “One of the biggest challenges this experience will help me overcome is my fear of being shy and my tendency to procrastinate,” she explained. “It is pushing me outside of my comfort zone, helping me build confidence, discipline and believe in myself more. I see this journey not only as a competition but as a personal transformation.”

The public will get to play an active role in the competition as well, with open voting for fan-favorite contestants scheduled throughout the pageant’s 2026 season. Women interested in throwing their hat in the ring can access the official application via the pageant’s Instagram and TikTok accounts, which carry the handle @miss30plusjamaica.

Looking ahead, Elliott-Gunning says she is confident the inaugural staging will be a resounding success, pointing to a cultural shift as mature women increasingly claim their space in public life and refuse to fade into the background. Beyond Jamaica’s borders, the organization has even bigger plans: Elliott-Gunning announced that the team is already seeking franchise partners across the Caribbean to launch a regional Miss 30+ Caribbean Pageant in the future.

More than just a traditional competition, the Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant positions itself as a grassroots movement: one that celebrates resilience, reinvention, unapologetic confidence, and the unignorable power of mature women.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — After building a thriving global career as both a designer and runway model, Kadianne Nicely is preparing to bring her signature vision of elevated style to her home region with a landmark first solo fashion event. Titled “Kadianne Nicely Exclusive: A Luxury Fashion Experience”, the invitation-only showcase is scheduled to take place on May 31, 2026, at the scenic, sprawling Craig Banks Estate located along Old Stony Hill Road in St Andrew, a fitting lush, upscale backdrop for Nicely’s curated collection.