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  • Current and ex-JP in legal trouble

    Current and ex-JP in legal trouble

    MANDEVILLE, Jamaica — A brazen corruption and forgery ring operating out of a regional traffic services facility has landed two men — one sitting justice of the peace and one decommissioned JP — in police custody, facing a raft of criminal charges that have raised serious questions about public trust in the honorary office in Jamaica.

    The two accused have been identified as 46-year-old Marvin Dean, a resident of Cross Keys and Newport in Manchester Parish, and 64-year-old Dudley Powell, a local businessman based in Glenco, Spalding, along the shared border of Clarendon and Manchester parishes. Dean, who had already been stripped of his JP commission earlier in 2024 over accusations of charging unauthorized fees for official JP services, now faces 12 separate criminal charges, while Powell, the current sitting JP, faces four counts.

    Law enforcement officials confirm the pair were taken into custody during a targeted police operation carried out last week at the Mandeville Service Hub operated by the Island Traffic Authority. Investigators allege the men had been posing as licensed medical professionals to illegally sign off on mandatory health check requirements for driver’s licence applications, collecting illegal payments from applicants in exchange for the fraudulent signatures. The coordinated arrests were executed on May 18 as part of a broader ongoing probe into misconduct by officials in the JP system.

    Following their detention, Dean was formally charged on Thursday with offenses including impersonating a medical doctor, cheating public revenue, uttering forged documents, possession of falsified official materials, forgery of a government seal, using a forged notary public seal, obtaining funds through false pretence, conspiracy to commit fraud, attempted bribery, and possession of a forged official stamp. The following day, Powell was charged with cheating public revenue, conspiracy, fraudulent use of an official government seal, and misconduct in a public office. Both men are scheduled to make their first court appearance at the Manchester Parish Court next Wednesday.

    Garfield Green, the Custos of Manchester, confirmed to local media that Dean had been decommissioned from his post as a justice of the peace earlier this year specifically over claims he was charging residents for access to JP services, which are required by law to be provided free of charge to the public. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer on Friday, Green noted that the unfolding case carries significant risks to public confidence in the integrity of the justice of the peace office, adding that his administrative team is collaborating fully with law enforcement to advance the investigation.

    Green also revealed that the charges against Dean and Powell are not an isolated incident: multiple other allegations of improper conduct by sitting and former JPs have emerged, which have already prompted a wider police investigation into systemic misconduct in the region.

    To help the public protect themselves from fraudulent activity, Green issued a public reminder of core rules governing official JP documentation. He explained that all official documents signed by a justice of the peace — with the sole exception of photo authentication — require an official government-issued seal to be considered valid. When a JP receives their commission, they are provided with an official government seal, which must be affixed to every document they sign; any document that bears only a signature without the required seal is not legally valid, Green emphasized.

    Green clarified that while it is not illegal for JPs to use custom rubber stamps to reduce repeated handwriting on routine forms, these stamps do not replace the requirement for an official seal. He also reiterated that no JP is authorized to charge any fee for any service provided in their official capacity as a justice of the peace. “There is not one single thing a JP can do for you out of the office of a justice of the peace that costs you a penny,” Green stated.

    In closing, Green called on members of the public to collaborate with authorities to root out ongoing misconduct, noting that while investigators have received widespread anecdotal reports and rumors of illegal activity by corrupt JPs, tangible evidence from witnesses and victims is required to pursue formal action. “We need the public to work with us to provide evidence of any information that they have of persons carrying out illegal activities in this way. We have heard rumours and heard people making comments, but we need evidence to act on,” he added.

  • Whip It Again – Frazsiers Whip make it four titles in a row

    Whip It Again – Frazsiers Whip make it four titles in a row

    Jamaican women’s football has a new dynasty in the making, after Frazsiers Whip cemented their long-term dominance of the domestic game by claiming an unprecedented fourth straight Jamaica Women’s Premier League crown. The runaway leaders secured their historic achievement with a polished 3-0 defeat of Arnett Gardens in the league final this past Saturday, turning in a performance that left no question of their superiority on the pitch.

    From the opening whistle, Frazsiers Whip controlled the tempo of the match, showcasing the sharp attacking cutting edge and game management that have defined their four-year title run. It took just 13 minutes for the side to break the deadlock, with striker Jennifer Williams converting a clear chance to put the defending champions ahead early. The early goal set the pattern for the rest of the first half, as Frazsiers Whip pinned Arnett Gardens into their own half, constantly testing and stretching the opposition defence.

    Though the defending champions dominated possession and created the majority of scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, their finishing lacked full clinicality in front of goal. One glaring late first-half chance drifted wide of the post, leaving the half-time score at just 1-0 – a margin that understated the full extent of Frazsiers Whip’s control over the contest.

    The second half followed much the same script, with Frazsiers Whip maintaining relentless pressure on the Arnett Gardens goal. The decisive second goal arrived via a mix of lucky deflection and clinical poaching: an initial shot struck the goalpost before bouncing into the path of Williams, who tapped home her second of the match to put the result out of reach for Arnett Gardens.

    Holding a two-goal lead, Frazsiers Whip controlled the closing stages of the match with the composure and experience of a serial title-winning side. Arnett Gardens never stopped pushing forward in search of a response, but the weight of the two-goal deficit and the high stakes of the final title decider weighed heavily on the side as the clock wound down. Midfielder Shanel Spence put the final seal on the win with a late third goal for Frazsiers Whip, triggering immediate title celebrations from the players and coaching staff at full-time.

    Four consecutive league titles is a rare and remarkable feat in any women’s football competition around the world, and the run marks far more than just a single season of good form for Frazsiers Whip. The club has built a sustainable winning program that has elevated them far above their domestic competitors, and their ongoing success serves as a key milestone in the continued growth and development of women’s football across Jamaica.

  • Spice erupts with Volcano

    Spice erupts with Volcano

    After decades of dominating the global dancehall scene, the self-proclaimed Queen of Dancehall Spice is back with a scorching new release that’s poised to own summer playlists across every continent. Titled *Volcano*, the high-octane track marks the first official single from the icon’s upcoming studio album, distributed through iconic independent label Easy Star Records.

    Far more than a simple seasonal bop, *Volcano* stands as a bold cultural statement — one that channels the unapologetic confidence, magnetic charisma, and larger-than-life stage energy that has defined Spice’s 25-plus year career. Co-produced by Spice herself alongside Grammy Award-winning producer Antaeus, the track strikes a masterful balance between raw, authentic dancehall grit and a polished, globally accessible sound crafted to resonate with audiences far beyond Caribbean borders.

    Built around a throbbing, pulsating beat and instantly memorable lyrics — headlined by the viral-ready line “My body hot like volcano” — the song turns the idea of “hot” into a full cultural movement. It celebrates unfiltered self-expression, radical self-confidence, unapologetic fun, and boundary-pushing fashion, all delivered through Spice’s one-of-a-kind vocal delivery that blends playful bravado with infectious, high-energy rhythm. Whether played at Caribbean carnivals, European music festivals, or nightclub sound systems around the world, *Volcano* is engineered to get crowds moving.

    In a statement accompanying the track’s release, Spice opened up about the creative vision behind the project: “I wanted the music and the visual to feel explosive, fearless, and authentic to the energy that’s been inside me this entire era.”

    Spice’s career has long been defined by breaking barriers and redefining what success looks like for Jamaican women in dancehall. Currently ranked as the second-highest streaming Jamaican female artist in the world, she has built an unparalleled resume of record-breaking milestones: multiple nine-figure streaming hits, regular entries on Billboard music charts, a Grammy nomination, and historic gold and platinum certifications across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. She also earned mainstream mainstream recognition through a starring role on the hit VH1 reality series *Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta*.

    Her 2022 release *Mirror 25*, a project celebrating her 25-year legacy in the genre, earned widespread critical acclaim, and she has since continued her global domination with sold-out headline performances, a viral fan-favorite reunion with dancehall legend Vybz Kartel, and a historic, well-received run of sets on the UK festival circuit.

    A pioneer for independent Jamaican artists, Spice has repeatedly smashed industry expectations through her own label, Spice Official Entertainment, earning independent chart placements on both Billboard and the UK Official Albums Chart. She made history as the first Jamaican female artist in more than 30 years to earn gold certification in the United States, and her global crossover hit *Go Down Deh* has racked up more than 400 million total streams worldwide. Just recently, she notched another historic win, becoming the first Jamaican female artist to land a lead single with more than 300 million streams on Spotify — a feat that solidifies her standing as one of the most commercially successful and culturally influential figures in modern dancehall.

    With *Volcano*, Spice once again proves why she has retained her crown as one of the genre’s most dominant and beloved voices. Loud, unapologetic, and instantly addictive, the scorching new single builds massive anticipation for her forthcoming full-length album, which is expected to drop later this year.

  • Man’s arm severed in Spur Tree crash

    Man’s arm severed in Spur Tree crash

    A devastating road accident on Jamaica’s Spur Tree Hill main road in Manchester left two men hospitalized Saturday, with one suffering a life-threatening injury that saw his right arm completely severed in the crash.

    According to initial law enforcement accounts, the incident unfolded just after 4 p.m., when the two men were operating a heavy cargo truck carrying large quantities of rice through the hilly corridor. For reasons still under preliminary investigation, the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle.

    Surveillance footage from a nearby property recorded the chaotic sequence of events: the speeding, unbalanced truck veered sharply off the paved roadway, crashed onto private adjacent land, and flipped completely over.

    The passenger, who suffered the traumatic arm amputation, and the driver were both rushed to a local medical facility by emergency responders and have since been admitted for treatment. The passenger remains listed in critical condition as of update.

    In a disturbing turn of events following the crash, members of the public who converged on the accident site took advantage of the emergency chaos to loot the overturned vehicle, making off with dozens of bags of rice from the damaged cargo hold. Local authorities have not yet announced any arrests or plans to recover the stolen goods.

    The Spur Tree Hill main road serves as a critical transportation link connecting the town of Mandeville and its surrounding communities to St Elizabeth and other parishes in western Jamaica. For years, local commuters and safety officials have raised ongoing concerns about the route: its steep incline and twisting path make navigation difficult, and the constant presence of overloaded, slow-moving heavy trucks regularly creates traffic bottlenecks and elevated crash risk. The corridor has already seen multiple fatal truck accidents over the past decade, prompting repeated calls for improved infrastructure and stricter weight enforcement for heavy goods vehicles.

  • Glittering Osaka edges Jovic to prolong French Open run

    Glittering Osaka edges Jovic to prolong French Open run

    PARIS, France — Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka extended her landmark run at the 2024 French Open on Saturday, outlasting 18-year-old American prodigy Iva Jovic in a gripping three-set third-round battle that ended 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The result pushes Osaka into the fourth round of Roland Garros for the first time in her career, marking a new career high at the clay-court major for the 16th-seeded Japanese star.

  • DaCosta dominates with four-winner haul on Saturday card

    DaCosta dominates with four-winner haul on Saturday card

    On Saturday, May 23, 2026, four-time defending champion thoroughbred trainer Jason DaCosta delivered a masterclass demonstration of his elite horsemanship, solidifying his status at the top of his sport by saddling four victorious horses across a nine-race Jamaican racing card. DaCosta’s undefeated quartet of winners – Purosangue, Himaya, Fred The Master, and Eye of the Tiger – controlled the track from the opening to closing contests, turning the day’s event into a showcase of his training expertise. The most eye-catching performance of the day came from Purosangue, an American-bred three-year-old colt guided by jockey Tevin Foster, who claimed an explosive 8 ¼-length victory in the $1.05-million Maiden Special Weight race, open to both native-bred and imported three-year-olds over a one-mile (1,600-meter) distance. After breaking slowly out of the starting gate, the chestnut colt accelerated powerfully to claim the lead approaching the six-furlong (1,200-meter) mark and never surrendered his position, crossing the finish line 1:38.4 ahead of second-place Unbelievable Power (ridden by Ian Spence) and third-place Comuna Trece (ridden by Raddesh Roman). The race splits were recorded at 24.1 seconds for the first quarter-mile, 47.0 for the half-mile, 1:12.4 for three-quarters of a mile, and 1:25.4 for seven-eighths of a mile. In a post-race interview with the *Jamaica Observer’s Supreme Racing Guide*, DaCosta highlighted the young colt’s untapped potential, noting that Purosangue has consistently shown a preference for longer distance races and is developing at exactly the right time ahead of future competitions. “Today, he had to do all the work himself out front, but he will be even more effective when he can sit behind a faster early pace and make his move late,” DaCosta explained. “He’s a top-class long-distance prospect, and the racing world will be hearing a lot more from him moving forward. We’ll give him time to recover from this run, then target a race at the next higher class level for his next start.” The second of DaCosta’s four victories came in the $790,000 Optional Claiming event, open to three-year-olds and older, plus native-bred six-year-olds and older that have not won four races, contested over seven furlongs (1,400 meters). Ridden by jockey Shaheem Gordon, five-year-old roan mare Himaya mounted a thrilling late charge down the home stretch to edge out second-place finisher Sir Wong Don (ridden by Raddesh Roman) by a head at the finish line, crossing the wire in a time of 1:30.1, with intermediate splits of 23.2 and 47.4 for the first two splits and 1:15.1 for six furlongs. Money Box, ridden by Romane Gordon, rounded out the top three positions. Next, four-year-old American-bred bay colt Fred The Master claimed victory in the $1.19-million Restricted Stakes, a race restricted to imported three-year-olds and older that have not won three races, plus native-bred three- and four-year-olds that have not won four races, run over six furlongs. Jockey Robert Halledeen positioned Fred The Master at the front of the pack from the early going, and the colt never looked back, romping to a comfortable 5½-length win over second-place Mulligan Man (Jaheim Anderson) and third-place Star Quest (Shaheem Gordon), finishing the race in 1:12.2 with splits of 23.2, 47.2, and 59.3. DaCosta’s fourth win of the day came from three-year-old native-bred bay colt Eye of the Tiger, who turned in a dominant performance in the $1.05-million Maiden Condition Race for native-bred three-year-olds over the five-furlong (1,000-meter) round course. Ridden by jockey Abigail Able, Eye of the Tiger made a single decisive move to claim the lead and pulled away to win by 8¾ lengths, covering the distance in a rapid 59.4 seconds with splits of 23.4 and 47.3. Dark Authority (Raddesh Roman) finished second, while Golden Ambassador (Tevin Foster) took third. The racing day was capped off by photos from photographer Garfield Robinson, capturing DaCosta inspecting Fred The Master alongside owner Milard Azan in the winners’ enclosure, Able celebrating her win atop Eye of the Tiger at the finish line, and Gordon guiding Himaya back to the winners’ enclosure after the mare’s thrilling close win.

  • Westmoreland attorneys demand Gov’t prioritise restoration of parish court

    Westmoreland attorneys demand Gov’t prioritise restoration of parish court

    WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Jamaica’s legal community in the parish of Westmoreland has raised urgent concerns amid emerging reports that the national government is re-evaluating its commitment to repairing and rehabilitating the damaged Westmoreland Parish Court building. Nearly a year after Hurricane Melissa swept through the region in October last year, the ongoing lack of functional court infrastructure has thrown the local justice system into disarray, prompting a formal appeal from practicing attorneys in the area.

    In an official statement released to the public Friday, the group of local legal professionals outlined the cascading challenges that have plagued court operations since the storm destroyed the original parish court facility. In the aftermath of the hurricane, all Circuit Court proceedings were forced to relocate to the neighboring parish of Hanover, while remaining parish court business is being run out of severely undersized, inadequate temporary accommodations in Whithorn.

    The attorneys emphasized that the current crisis extends far beyond mere inconvenience; it poses a fundamental threat to equal access to justice and public trust in Jamaica’s judicial system. The temporary court spaces suffer from chronic overcrowding, with far too little room to accommodate the growing volume and increasing complexity of legal matters. In many cases, sittings are forced to run well into the night, often extending as late as 9:00 PM or later for court staff and all parties involved.

    Most alarmingly, the group noted, hundreds of local parish court cases have yet to go to trial since the hurricane hit, and the growing backlog shows no signs of easing. The disproportionate burden of this breakdown falls heavily on ordinary litigants, many of whom already face financial hardship.

    “Many have to travel outside the parish at additional expense, lose workdays, arrange childcare and incur costs they cannot afford simply to access the courts,” the statement read. The attorneys stressed that justice cannot be treated as a luxury reserved exclusively for Jamaicans with the means to pay for delayed proceedings. When access to the courts is undermined, it is the most vulnerable members of the community that are pushed to the margins and left without legal recourse.

    Jurors fulfilling their mandatory civic duty also face unfair burdens, the group added. Most are required to travel to out-of-parish court facilities at their own cost just to await selection for trials, creating an unnecessary financial barrier that discourages civic participation. Even practicing legal professionals are not spared from the disruption: attorneys now spend hours each week traveling between courthouses to represent their Westmoreland-based clients, cutting into critical time that should be spent case preparation and client support.

    Closing their appeal, the legal fraternity reaffirmed that all residents of Westmoreland are entitled to a justice system that is accessible, efficient, and consistent with the basic dignity of the judicial process. They are calling on national and local authorities to move the restoration of the Westmoreland Parish Court to the top of their priority list, and to publish a clear, binding timeline for the completion of work and the return of full court operations to the parish.

  • BOLD AMBITION

    BOLD AMBITION

    One of Jamaica’s most successful rising football coaches, Haron Martin, widely known by his nickname “German”, has stepped into the top role as head coach of the Wolmer’s Boys’ School Under-19 football team, marking a major new chapter in his young coaching career. Taking over the post from long-serving veteran coach Jerome Waite, Martin has already laid out an ambitious roadmap to return the historic Jamaican school to the upper echelons of the country’s Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) schoolboy football competition.

    In an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer, Martin opened up about the significance of his new appointment, expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to join one of Jamaica’s most prestigious educational institutions. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity to be a part of such a storied institution. I’m humbled, I thank God for this opening, and I will give everything I have to succeed on this new journey. This appointment means the world to me — this is the biggest role I have ever been trusted with as a coach,” Martin said.

    At the core of Martin’s long-term vision is building a unified, recognizable playing identity across all of Wolmer’s Boys’ age-group football teams, from the youngest youth squads up to the Under-19 top level. He emphasized that this cohesive style, which he calls “the Wolmerian way”, will not only focus on winning matches but also nurture well-rounded student-athletes prepared for success off the pitch. “Our vision is for Wolmer’s football to have an identity that everyone can adore and admire. We win the Wolmerian way here. We aren’t just fielding teams — we are building student-athletes and molding these young boys for their future lives,” Martin explained. “Working alongside our experienced team of managers, who put in tireless work day in and day out, we believe the time has come for Wolmer’s to regain its competitive edge for many years to come. We will roll out this unified identity across all age groups, so the transition from Under-14 to Under-16, and then to Under-19, is seamless for our developing players.”

    Martin’s track record at the youth level speaks for itself, making him a natural fit to lead the program’s turnaround. He first built his reputation as a championship-winning coach at Lannaman’s Prep, where he claimed top honors in both the prestigious Alberga Cup and Henriques Cup competitions. He later moved to Kingston College, where he led the school to multiple ISSA Under-14 titles, and served as assistant coach when Kingston College’s Under-19 squad lifted the coveted Flow Super Cup championship in 2017.

    After joining the Wolmer’s Boys’ football program, Martin continued his winning streak, guiding the school’s 2023 Under-14 squad to an undefeated season that ended with both the urban and all-island championship titles. Beyond his work in school football, Martin also serves as technical director for the Norbrook Strikers club, and led Constant Spring to the 2023 KSAFA Under-13 championship just last year.

    The biggest immediate challenge facing Martin in his new Under-19 role is ending a historic championship drought for Wolmer’s Boys: the school has not claimed the ISSA urban Manning Cup title since 1994, a dry spell that has stretched for more than 30 years. For the ambitious young coach, this opportunity is not just a chance to end the drought, but also a key milestone in growing his coaching brand. “I’m as ambitious as any coach looking to build their career and legacy, and I’m absolutely elated to get this chance. It motivates me more than ever to keep pushing forward,” Martin said.

    Reiterating his long-term goals for the entire program, Martin noted that with support from Wolmer’s principal Dwight Pennycooke and long-time Wolmerian football supporters, the school is poised to reclaim its status as a dominant force across all age groups in Jamaican schoolboy football. “Wolmer’s is already the leading boys’ school in academics across Jamaica, and we want to match that same level of success on the football pitch. I fully stand behind the vision our principal has laid out for what the Wolmerian brand should represent,” Martin added.

    Martin’s promotion to the Under-19 head coaching role has triggered a series of well-planned coaching changes across the lower age groups to strengthen the entire program. Delano Campbell will take over leadership of the Under-16 squad, while Raymond Leveridge steps into Martin’s old role as head of the Under-14 team. Lamar Brown will serve as the program’s dedicated goalkeeper coach, and Romone Lewis takes on the role of technical assistant coach. Martin emphasized that the entire coaching staff has a long-standing working relationship, putting collective success for the school above individual recognition. “All of us coaches at Wolmer’s have known each other for years, so there’s no ego here. It’s just a group of people working together to make Wolmer’s football a success,” he said.

  • Barcelona sign winger Gordon from Newcastle

    Barcelona sign winger Gordon from Newcastle

    In a high-profile transfer move that shakes up European football, Spanish La Liga champions Barcelona announced Friday they have secured the signing of English winger Anthony Gordon from Premier League side Newcastle United, in a deal that could climb to a total of 80 million euros (equivalent to US$93 million).

    In an official statement confirming the transfer, Barcelona revealed that the 25-year-old attacker has put pen to paper on a five-year contract that will keep him at the Catalan club through June 30, 2031.

    Gordon enjoyed a breakout 2024-25 season with Newcastle, finishing as the club’s top goalscorer with 17 goals across all competitions – 10 of which came during Newcastle’s impressive Champions League run. A member of England’s recent World Cup squad, the left-footed winger arrives at Camp Nou at the peak of his powers, ready to step into a revamped Barcelona attack.

    Speaking to reporters after the transfer confirmation, Gordon opened up about the magnitude of the move for him personally. “As a kid, to play for Barcelona is the biggest dream possible, it’s the biggest club on the planet,” he said. Acknowledging the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the iconic Blaugrana shirt, he added, “I know it comes with a lot of responsibility, but like I said, I’m ready for this kind of challenge, ready for that responsibility. I know everybody, the players in the past who’ve worn the shirt, it holds a lot of weight, but I’m ready. I’m excited for the challenge.”

    The addition of Gordon comes as Barcelona prepares for key departures in its forward line. Veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is set to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign, and the future of loanee Marcus Rashford – who joined on a temporary deal from Manchester United – remains uncertain.

    Barcelona’s management has signaled it is not done reshaping its squad ahead of the new season. The club has been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, and has not publicly ruled out pushing to make Rashford’s loan move permanent, if conditions allow.

    This transfer marks a turning point for Barcelona financially, after three years of strict cost-cutting measures to comply with La Liga’s strict financial fair play regulations. With the partially renovated Camp Nou stadium now reopened to full crowds, the club has significantly more financial flexibility than it has in recent seasons. The upcoming departures of Lewandowski, Rashford, and other fringe players – including young winger Roony Bardghji, winger Ansu Fati, and even veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen – has created the salary cap space needed to complete Gordon’s signing.

    For Newcastle, Gordon’s transfer is the second-largest sale in the club’s history. The record still stands at the £125 million ($168 million) fee Liverpool paid for striker Alexander Isak in the summer of 2024. Following Gordon’s departure, local reports indicate Newcastle is already targeting a replacement, with Real Betis winger Ez Abde emerging as a top target for the Premier League side.

    Gordon originally joined Newcastle from Everton in 2023 for a fee of £45 million. As part of the original transfer agreement between the two clubs, Everton will receive a 15 percent cut of any profit Newcastle makes from Gordon’s subsequent sale, netting the Merseyside club a significant unexpected windfall from the deal.

  • Jugglings then & now

    Jugglings then & now

    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.