标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In Jamaica’s dynamic entertainment and motorbike culture, one fast-rising star is blending heart-pounding stunt riding, magnetic event hosting, and unfiltered crowd energy to build a one-of-a-kind brand. Lorenzo Whorms, known professionally by his stage name DJ Rendetta, is rapidly becoming a household name across the island’s bike show and nightlife circuit, turning heads with his versatile, high-octane performances.

The origin of his distinctive stage name holds a quirky, memorable backstory. As Rendetta explains, the moniker grew out of his fascination with the iconic vendetta mask from 2015: “Vendetta, Rendetta,” the name stuck, and it has been his professional identity ever since.

While many industry observers have tried to label him simply as a DJ, Rendetta has long pushed back against being boxed into a single category. Far more than a music curator, he is a trained stunt biker and seasoned events host who thrives in high-stakes, high-energy environments. His natural charisma allows him to command massive crowds, turning ordinary events into unforgettable, electric experiences. “The vibe that I bring is just different,” he says of his unique performance style.

Rendetta’s dual career path grew organically out of his community roots. He got his start in stunt riding from watching and learning from fellow bikers in his neighborhood, while his events hosting skills developed gradually as he spent time around bike shows and house parties with close friends. Over the course of his career so far, he has hosted dozens of major events across Jamaica, including high-profile gatherings like Rush In The West, Bikers Paradise, Safe First, and the Antshead Birthday Bike & Car Show. Each event has helped him cement a loyal following and a strong reputation within Jamaica’s biker and entertainment communities.

Stunt biking inherently carries constant risk of injury, but Rendetta has avoided major harm throughout his career, a streak he credits to deliberate preparation and unwavering focus. “Mentally, I just have to stay focused, and physically, I prepare for whatever is out there,” he says of his approach to high-risk stunts.

Social media has also been a game-changer for Rendetta’s growing career, helping him expand his fanbase far beyond Jamaica’s borders to attract followers across the globe. When asked about his rapid online growth, he simply says, “All I can say is my fans love me.”

Looking toward the future, the multi-hyphenate entertainer has set his sights on far bigger opportunities. He is currently working to scale up his events hosting business to take on larger, international productions, and his long-term ambition is nothing short of bold. “I want my legacy to be remembered as the best events host in the world,” he says.

With his signature fearless energy, innate crowd-pleasing charisma, and a rapidly growing footprint in Jamaica’s entertainment industry, DJ Rendetta is proving that he is not just pulling off bike stunts — he is riding his growing momentum straight to the top of the global entertainment industry.

A groundbreaking new cross-cultural musical project has just hit streaming platforms and record shelves: Kamani Records has officially launched *Cold World (Remix)*, a collaborative single that unites six seasoned reggae and dancehall artists from six different countries across four continents.

The project’s origin story traces back to Kingston, Jamaica’s iconic reggae hub, where the first pieces of the track came together in Roe Summerz’s recording studio. It all started when lead collaborator Don Husky, a Jamaican veteran dancehall artist with 15 years of international industry experience, received an unexpected outreach via Instagram to join the upcoming collaboration. After agreeing to contribute, Husky traveled to Kingston to lay down his parts, where he connected with Japanese dancehall pioneer Triga Finga for the first in-person recording session.

In a spontaneous display of creative synergy that would define the track’s raw, authentic energy, producer Roe Summerz (born Roel Powell) crafted the song’s instrumental from scratch during that very first session. As the beat took shape, Husky and Triga Finga wrote and recorded their individual verses in a single organic sitting, capturing the unfiltered, spontaneous creative chemistry between the two artists. Later, the track’s infectious chorus was finalized through a joint studio session between Husky, Summerz, and Canadian creative Buddha Boy (also known as Bodhi), who steered the single toward its final cohesive sound and thematic direction.

What began as a small Kingston studio session quickly bloomed into a truly global artistic effort. After the core foundation of the track was laid in Jamaica, additional vocal contributions rolled in from across the world: Jamaican reggae artist Nature Ellis recorded his verse locally, Brazilian reggae leader Arcanjo Ras sent in his part from South America, UK-based conscious hip hop artist Logic (founder of the People’s Army collective) laid down his track in Europe, and Bodhi wrapped up his final edits from his home base in Canada.

Every artist involved brings decades of specialized experience and unique cultural perspective to the collaboration. Don Husky has built an international resume over 15 years, working alongside iconic acts including Subatomic Sound System, Dub FX, Henry Fong, BBC 1Xtra, and dancehall legend Ninjaman. Triga Finga, a nearly 20-year veteran of Japan’s reggae and dancehall circuit, has previously collaborated with star artist Popcaan and remains one of the scene’s most influential pioneers. Nature Ellis has earned global acclaim for his commanding live performances and lyrically conscious reggae work, while Arcanjo Ras stands as one of the most prominent figures in Brazil’s growing reggae and dancehall movement. Logic has carved out a reputation as a leading voice for conscious hip hop across Europe, and Bodhi’s creative input was instrumental in shaping the single’s final thematic and sonic identity.

Beyond its cross-continental collaboration, the track carries a universal, heartfelt message about shared human experience. In a statement about the project, Husky explained that the single leans into the universal truth that music is a language that transcends borders. “No matter where we come from, or what we go through, everybody experiences moments where life feels cold,” he said. “The message behind this record is that, even in those moments, there’s still connection, understanding, and hope.”

In the dynamic landscape of modern Jamaican reggae, few creative partnerships have generated as much organic buzz as the collaboration between fast-rising vocal powerhouse D’yani and acclaimed producer Kareem “Remus” Burrell, heir to the legacy of iconic Xterminator Records founder Phillip “Fatis” Burrell. Where many industry collaborations feel forced and transactional, this creative alliance has always felt like a natural, destined match — and now the pair is preparing to elevate their work to a global stage with their highly anticipated new release.

Slated to drop June 5, “Journey” serves as the lead single from D’yani’s forthcoming debut studio album *Live Life and Prosper*, a project that both creator and producer frame as a defining milestone in their already buzzworthy partnership. At its core, the track lives up to its name: it is a raw, reflective exploration of personal growth, resilience, heartbreak, hard-won triumph, and the small, transformative moments that shape a life between those extremes.

For D’yani, the track is far more than just another release — it is a deeply personal confession drawn directly from his own lived experience. “’Journey’ is a very personal song for me,” the artist shared. “It came from real-life experiences — the ups, the downs, the growth, the losses, the blessings, everything that shapes you along the way. I wasn’t trying to force a story. I was simply speaking my truth.”

That unfiltered authenticity has become D’yani’s trademark, helping the soulful-voiced singer emerge as one of reggae’s most compelling young talents in the years following the global pandemic. Gifted with an innate ability to turn intimate personal experience into universally relatable anthems, he has quickly built a loyal global fanbase hungry for his fresh take on the genre.

Burrell, who has overseen the track’s creation from its earliest stages, notes that the magic of “Journey” predates the first time the team stepped into the recording booth. “Working with D’yani on ‘Journey’ was a special experience because there’s a genuine chemistry between us whenever we create music,” Burrell explained. “Nothing feels forced. We trust each other creatively, and that allows the songs to develop naturally.”

That seamless creative chemistry is audible across every second of the finished track. Recorded at Kingston’s legendary Tuff Gong Studios, the production is elevated by soaring, layered harmonies from backing vocalists Sherieta Lewis, Roselyn Williams and Tamekia Moncrieffe, whose combined vocal work elevated the track far beyond the team’s initial expectations. “The way they blended together was powerful,” Burrell recalled. “In a way, it felt much bigger than three voices.”

The final product strikes a rare balance: it feels both deeply intimate and sweeping cinematic, encouraging quiet reflection while retaining an uplifting, accessible energy that resonates across listener demographics. “Sonically, we wanted it to feel uplifting and soulful,” D’yani said. “Something people could reflect on but still feel good listening to.”

The arrival of “Journey” comes at a moment when D’yani’s career is accelerating at a remarkable pace. The pair previously earned a breakout hit with “Live A Little”, which quickly became one of reggae’s biggest streaming success stories in recent memory. The track racked up more than seven million views on YouTube alone, earned millions of streams on Spotify, and found a massive audience far outside Jamaica’s borders. Its unexpected success even caught the eye of international superstar DJ Khaled, who repeatedly shared the track with his millions of followers across social media.

“To date, ‘Live A Little’ would be my biggest production commercially and in terms of audience growth,” Burrell said, noting that the track has amassed 18 million streams across all digital platforms. More than its commercial success, he says, the hit established a clear creative blueprint that has guided every project that followed, including the upcoming debut album. “’Live A Little’ established a clear creative direction for D’yani and laid the foundation for the album we are working on.”

For reggae fans around the world, the Burrell name carries inherent weight and respect. Phillip “Fatis” Burrell, Remus’ father, was one of the founding architects of modern roots reggae, helping launch and nurture the careers of legends including Luciano, Sizzla and Mikey General while building Xterminator Records into one of the most influential institutions in Jamaican music history. Today, the younger Burrell is carrying that iconic legacy into a new era through his own creative platform XTM.Nation.

“Growing up around my father, I had a front-row seat to the way he approached music and artistes,” Burrell said. “More than the hits and accolades, he taught me the importance of quality, authenticity and staying true to the message in the music.” Those foundational lessons shape Burrell’s approach to his work today, rooted in the belief that creators carry a responsibility to deliver meaningful, positive content to audiences. “As creators, we have a responsibility to contribute something positive to the world,” he said. “Whether it’s hope, inspiration, encouragement, or simply helping someone through a difficult moment, music can have a real impact on people’s lives.”

That philosophy aligns perfectly with D’yani’s own artistic mission. Since breaking onto the scene in 2022 with the fan-favorite *Feelings (Remix)* featuring Jada Kingdom, D’yani has steadily grown from a promising newcomer to one of the most recognizable faces of contemporary reggae. A string of hit tracks including “Señorita”, “Goddess”, “Birthday”, “Lock and Key” and “Ride It” have cemented his reputation as a versatile artist capable of balancing romance, vulnerability, and modern reggae swagger. His rising popularity has also translated to sold-out and packed stages across the globe: over the past three years, he has become a staple at the Caribbean’s biggest annual festivals, including Reggae Sumfest, Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, St Kitts Music Festival, Barbados Reggae Weekend and London’s City Splash Festival.

Even as acclaim and audience growth continue to accelerate, D’yani insists he is only just beginning to show fans the full scope of his artistry. His debut album *Live Life and Prosper*, scheduled for global release this summer via UK-based YE/Lizzy Records, is set to reveal a deeper, more fully realized side of his creative identity. “I’m really excited for the coming months,” D’yani said. “Not just for people to hear more music, but for them to fully experience the world we’ve been building with *Live Life and Prosper*. There’s a lot more to come.”

If the lead single “Journey” is any indication, the creative world D’yani and Burrell have built is poised to expand far beyond what either imagined. For the pair, the road ahead is still unfolding — but together, they are crafting a sonic journey that reggae fans across the globe will be eager to follow.

Nearly a quarter-century after the passing of legendary Jamaican reggae pioneer Augustus Pablo, his groundbreaking Kingston record store Rockers is back, reviving a cornerstone of the global roots music movement. First opened by Pablo at the peak of his career in the 1970s on Kingston’s Orange Street, the shop quickly grew into a beloved gathering hub for roots artists and musicians, who gathered there to exchange ideas, showcase new work, and deepen the connections that shaped reggae’s golden era.

Pablo, born Horace Swaby, remains one of reggae’s most influential innovators. A graduate of Kingston College who embraced Rastafari alongside many middle-class Jamaicans in the late 1960s, he revolutionized the genre with his signature use of the melodica. His 1972 breakthrough instrumental *Java* catapulted him to international acclaim, followed by genre-defining classics such as *King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown* and *East of The River Nile* that cemented the identity of the Rockers reggae movement. Beyond his own chart-topping work, Pablo dedicated much of his career to nurturing emerging talent, mentoring iconic young artists including Jacob Miller, Hugh Mundell, and Yami Bolo before his unexpected death in May 1999 at the age of 44.

In the decades following Pablo’s passing, the original Rockers store gradually fell into disrepair as the legacy of the movement it anchored risked fading from its original Kingston home. But earlier this year, Pablo’s two children, Isis and Addis, stepped in to breathe new life into the iconic space, reopening a fully renovated version of the shop that honors their father’s impact while welcoming a new generation of fans.

The reimagined Rockers centers its design around Pablo’s life and enduring legacy, with dedicated displays of his personal memorabilia alongside artifacts from his pioneering contemporaries. The update also includes a fully upgraded Rockers International sound system, and a dedicated digital display that chronicles the label’s decades of contributions to global reggae culture.

In an interview with the *Jamaica Observer*, 36-year-old Addis Pablo — a New Jersey-born musician in his own right, who just released a collaborative track *Musical High* with reggae artist Chezidek this past April — shared that the new Rockers is already drawing diverse crowds across ages and origins. “Our core goal is to pass the torch of this music to younger generations and new fans,” he explained. “So far, we’ve already welcomed groups of students from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and local universities, alongside fans from across the globe — many of whom are younger than people might expect, drawn to the sound our father built.”

Addis also noted that the revamped store remains a welcoming space for the long-time fans who have supported Pablo’s work from its earliest days: “We never forget the community that has been part of this journey from the very start.”

When asked what Pablo would think of today’s generation of popular roots reggae acts, such as Chronixx and Jesse Royal, Addis said it is impossible to know for certain his father’s exact thoughts. But, he reflected, “My father always prioritized lifting up new artists and growing the scene. Knowing that, I’m sure he would be thrilled to see a new, young generation of fans and creators engaged and succeeding in the industry that he and his peers helped build from the ground up.”

American-born gospel performer JoZee, who has built a close creative partnership with celebrated Jamaican gospel deejay Prodigal Son, is gearing up to deliver a spirit-filled message of faith at the launch of Prodigal Son’s highly anticipated new project *Legacy*, scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at Kingston’s Swallowfield Chapel. The one-night event will also showcase dynamic sets from a roster of top names in Caribbean gospel music, including Leoneil Teape, Shepherd, Positive, Monty G, and Jason Mighty, promising a powerful evening of worship and celebration.

In an exclusive interview with the *Jamaica Observer* this Thursday, JoZee opened up about what she has learned from her collaborative work with Prodigal Son, praising his unique ability to blend engaging storytelling with profound spiritual truth. “Prodigal Son is a true master of his craft. Every idea he brings is sharp and intentional, and he has this incredible gift to make a biblical message feel accessible and fun, or turn around and dig into deep, life-changing truth,” she explained. “His lyrics carry so much weight, and his stage energy is unstoppable — you never know what powerful moment he’ll bring next. I’ve watched crowds go from jumping in joyful praise one minute to responding to an altar call the next. Working alongside him has taught me more than I could have imagined.”

For JoZee, the invitation to minister at the Jamaica launch was a joyful honor, rooted in her deep personal connection to the island nation. “When Prodigal Son asked me to be part of this launch, I was over the moon. We’ve cut three tracks together so far, and one of those collaborations features on this new *Legacy* album. Jamaica is home for me now, and Prodigal is family. This event is also double as an on-stage celebration of his birthday, which makes it even more special,” she shared.

During the show, JoZee will perform the title track from her own upcoming album *Who God Says I Am*, along with a selection of her previously released singles, before joining Prodigal Son for their joint performance. “Performing for Jamaican audiences has always been such a warm, welcoming experience for me. I always invite listeners into every song I sing — I want people to have joy, but leave encountering Jesus in worship, and that’s exactly what happens every time,” she added.

Against the backdrop of global uncertainty and widespread unrest, JoZee emphasized that the core message of the gospel remains more relevant than ever. “It might sound cliché, but Jesus really is the answer. He’s our only steady anchor in a world that feels so unsteady right now, and the only hope for people who feel lost. I’ve noticed more people turning to Christ now than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. People need to hear how deeply Jesus loves them, how He’s ready to rewrite their stories and give them that unexplainable peace only He can give,” said the artist, who first began performing at just 9 years old.

JoZee splits her time between Jamaica and the United States, after marrying a Jamaican man more than a decade ago. It was around that same time that she stepped away from a successful career in mainstream secular music to dedicate herself fully to gospel ministry. Early in her career, JoZee was personally signed to Quincy Jones’ iconic Qwest label, distributed through Warner Music Group, and recorded backing vocals for some of the biggest names in pop music, including Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, and Enrique Iglesias.

“As much as I loved getting to work with those incredible artists, I knew I had to walk away. I wanted to surrender my whole life to God and follow His purpose for me, not the path the world had laid out,” she explained.

Her collaborative track with Prodigal Son, *Dancin’ Like King David*, produced by legendary Jamaican producer Danny Browne, grew from an unexpected social media challenge. “When Prodigal Son released *Play di Gospel Music Inna the Dance*, he put out a verse challenge on Instagram and tagged me to take part. I was shocked — I’d never sung on a dancehall track before,” JoZee recalled. “When I sat down to write my verse, I thought about how King David danced wildly with joy when the Arc of the Covenant was brought back to Israel, even when his wife thought he was being foolish. When Danny Browne heard my verse, he loved it so much he asked me to expand it into a full song, and we co-wrote the rest of the lyrics together. I recorded the vocals in my home studio and sent them over to him, he mixed and mastered the track, and he released it as a single through his Main Street Records imprint.”

JoZee says the track carries a simple, accessible message that she hopes will reach beyond the walls of traditional church spaces. “My goal is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere — to people who already go to church, and especially to people who never step foot in one. The lyric says it best: ‘Gospel music got the dancehall behaving.’ I truly believe gospel music should be played everywhere. How else will people hear the message and encounter Jesus if we only play it inside church buildings?” she asked.

Working with Browne, she added, allowed her to stay authentic to her artistic voice while exploring new musical territory that fits her calling. “Danny is a total genius — creativity just pours out of him. He’s honestly the best producer I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve worked with a lot of great ones. Danny is deeply rooted in his faith, and writing with him is completely effortless. His tracks have such incredible energy and vibe,” she said. “He’s a master at crafting a unique signature sound, and he knows exactly what he wants to create. I’ve loved reggae music since I was a little girl growing up in Chicago, but I’d never recorded a reggae track before I met Danny. I’d never heard my voice over a reggae beat. Danny walked me through every rhythm, and helped me create a fresh new sound that feels like me, but with that perfect Caribbean twist. He does love to tease me about my attempts at patois, though,” she laughed.