Reggae Global Radio

Two years ago when Richie Innocent released ‘Perseverance’, his first poetry book, he wanted to express a different side to his artistry. Up to that point, he was known for socially-conscious songs like ‘Hills mi Deh’ and ‘Drugs fi Gun’.

The New York-based artist is preparing to release his second book of poems, possibly in October. Titled ‘Eclipse’, it is published by Richie Innocent Music and edited by Marlon A. Wright.

Richie Innocent says the book has 56 poems that cover diverse issues. Those include matters close to home such as him becoming a grandfather; motherhood and memories of growing up in Jamaica.

“I have become a new person through my experiences. Moving from different locations and places has prepared me in my everyday life and also with my creative abilities,”he stated.  “I receive inspiration from the people I interact with and also those that I care for.”

On September 26, Richie Innocent will stage the third Poetry Echoes of Expression at VP Records’ headquarters in Queens, New York. That event, which showcases spoken word artists and writers, was first held in 2024.

Born in Kingston but raised in rural St. Elizabeth parish in southern Jamaica, Richie Innocent won the International Reggae And World Music Awards’ (IRAWMA) Best Poet/Spoken Word Entertainer last January.

He is currently promoting the songs, ‘The Passover’ and ‘Dear St. Elizabeth’.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

On July 24, Shari Beckford held centerstage at the Village Music Hall in Sunrise, South Florida. That was the venue for a listening party for ‘Miracle’, her latest song, and EP of the same name.

Produced by Howard Keizs, the inspirational singer says ‘Miracle’ “represents a new chapter in my musical journey.”

Beckford added that the track is driven by a sound she feels most comfortable with.

“While I’ve always been passionate about creating music with a message of hope and faith, this song embraces a stronger country influence than my previous work. It still reflects who I am at my core, someone who believes music should encourage, inspire, and connect with people 

but it does so through a fresh sound,” she said.

‘Miracle’, the EP, is not restricted to country-flavored melodies. It contains ‘I Will Not Break’, her first song, which was produced by Dean Fraser and released six years ago. 

‘Hug’, ‘I’m A Woman’, ‘Angel or Demon’ and ‘When I Die’ are the other songs on the project.

Like many Jamaicans, Shari Beckford is drawn to American country music. As much as she admired homegrown reggae acts, her personal playlist included the songs of Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Charley Pride.

That folksy sound complements her message.

“Country music gives me the freedom to be vulnerable, to share my journey, and hopefully remind people that even in difficult moments, there’s always room for hope. That’s exactly what Miracle is about,” said Beckford.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

In a 2014 interview with the largeup.com website, Kevin Lyttle spoke about ‘Turn me On’, his massive 2004 hit, and the influence Jamaican dancehall had on it.

“My intention was to show that soca music can crossover like how Shabba and all these people crossed over into American culture. I wanted to show that soca can appeal to not just the local market but internationally. What actually happened with the song was my intention, but I didn’t expect it to work as well as it did,” he recalled. “I said to the producer Adrian Bailey, ‘I want that sound from those old dancehall records by people like Little Lenny and Beenie Man, on the old Punanny riddim (sings) choon-choonk-a-choonk, choon-choonk-a-choonk. The original Punanny riddim had that lighter bass line, so I took it and guided the producer with that, and that’s how the music of ‘Turn Me On’ was designed.”

Lyttle, who is from St. Vincent and The Grenadines, goes for a similar blend on ‘Island Ting’, his latest song. It features Jamaican dancehall star Charly Black and was released in early July.

It was Lyttle who approached the Jamaican deejay to add a toast to the track which is co-produced by  Pop Style Music, Tarakon Records and Unstoppable Ent.

It was his remix to ‘Turn me On’ (originally released as a soca ballad in 2001) with dancehall star Spragga Benz that became a global hit three years later. It made the Top 10 of the British national chart, and peaked at number four on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart.

‘Island Ting’ pairs the South Florida-based singer in tandem with Charly Black, who had a big hit in 2018 with ‘Gyal You A Party Animal’.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Since the late 1980s, gospel artists in Jamaica have gone beyond traditional means to spread God’s message. Cario Young is one of the young turks spreading the Word by recording songs to dancehall, reggae and pop beats.

Those sounds can be heard on ‘New Day’, his first album which was released on June 19. He co-produced the 14-song set with Canute Ellis.

“I believe that my music is different. My approach to gospel music is not traditional and may even be silently frowned upon. But I believe God is just using me in a different way to make people aware of who He is and what He stands for,” said Young. 

With Ellis’ guidance, Young revels on ‘Easy’, a roots-reggae track. It is one of five songs from ‘New Day’ released prior to June 19.

‘One Way’ (a collaboration with DJ Nicholas), ‘Gravy’ and ‘Regardless’ are other songs from an  eclectic collection. For the Toronto, Canada-based Young, beats are secondary to the message.

“Creating this album was more about a reflection of truth. Truth in who I am as an individual and as an artist. Truth in what the message requires. Truth in the declaration and defense of my faith and truth in the revelation of God’s promises to those who choose to love him,” he reasoned.

Jamaican gospel acts have shed the conventional approach since the 1980s when The Grace Thrillers recorded hit songs to reggae melodies. A decade later, Papa San and Lieutenant Stitchie brought a dancehall flavor, followed by current stars like Kevin Downswell and DJ Nicholas, who recorded their songs to reggae and dancehall rhythms.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Tucuzins Records, a Atlanta-based company, is scheduled to release its debut project in late August. That will come in the form of ‘S.O.U.L.’ (Sincerely Outpouring Unconditional Love), a compilation album with songs from eight artists.

One of those acts is XKhraig, a Jamaican who lives in The City of Brotherly Love. He started Tucuzins Records with his cousin Adrian Hilary.

XKhraig said ‘S.O.U.L.’ fuses dancehall with Rhythm And Blues which, hopefully, is a winning combination for the fledgling label.

“It has all kinda elements; that’s the goal. Jamaica is a small place, you have to make music for the world, and that’s what we did,” he stated.

His song, ‘My Love’, is the lead single from ‘S.O.U.L.’. Several of the artists on the compilation are based in Philadelphia and Delaware. Among them are Synga Splaash, Rastabiggz,  

Ras Jem, G Warrior, Nanko, Ntriig and Lena Aura.

XKhraig is from rural St. Andrew parish in Jamaica. He was raised on the songs of Anthony B, Beenie Man and Capleton, but developed greater appreciation for neo-soul acts like Boyz II Men when he migrated to Philadelphia in 2011.

While he is attracted to hardcore dancehall music, XKhraig also admired artists like Shabba Ranks and Shaggy who crossed over into the American pop market with great success.

“There is a big audience out there for the music. We as Jamaicans mus’ realize that we can’t just make music for you and your friends,” he said.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

In the four years since he released ‘Elevate’, his last album, E-Dee says he has grown as an artist. The Los Angeles-based Jamaican deejay says there is proof of that on ‘Young Legend’, his fourth album which was released on July 24.

The 14-song set is distributed by Clarendon Records, the company he launched in 2025. In terms of producers, E-Dee worked with Qmillion, his longtime collaborator, and Jahsee.

‘Young Legend’ debuted at number nine on the ITunes Top 100 Reggae Albums chart.

E-Dee says stylistically it is different from ‘Elevate’.

“Compared to ‘Elevate’, this project delivers fuller creative control with a variety of content,” said E-Dee. He added that ‘Young Legend’ has a distinctly dancehall edge, while its predecessor had tracks that blended that sound with pop and hip hop.

Several of the songs on ‘Young Legend’ were previously released. They include the title track, She’s Loyal, ‘Grateful’, ‘Water Run’ and ‘Zum Zum Zum’.

Another song that hit the market prior to July 24 is ‘Pretty Free’, a collaboration with American singer Jazmin Akea, who is also based in Los Angeles.

On ‘Beautiful Woman’, E-Dee shares the mic with lovers rock reggae singer and fellow Jamaican, Ginjah.

From Clarendon parish in central Jamaica, E-Dee has been a fixture on the LA dancehall scene for many years. One of his most successful recordings is ‘Bounce Along’, which he did with Ms. Triniti in 2006.

It peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Single Sales chart.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Personal experience has inspired artists to write countless songs, many of which went on to become classics. Rasta Lightening found himself in that position when he wrote ‘The Road we Choose’, his latest song.

Self-produced, it was released on July 22. 

Being a devout Rastafarian, the South Florida-based artist prefers to look at the positive side of life. Which is the message behind ‘The Road we Choose’.

“It’s calling for people to make good choices… some people make bad choices and then it can affect their lives,” he said.

Rasta Lightening noted that he wrote ‘The Road We Choose’ based on, ‘things that mi go through’. It reaches out to persons who find themselves in tough situations with little hope of survival.

Originally from Spanish Town, Jamaica’s first capital, Rasta Lightening was raised in an area with a rich music history. ‘Spain’ produced many dancehall acts such as Papa San and Lieutenant Stitchie, as well as roots singer Dennis Walks.

He followed that path 10 years ago when he became a recording artist. Pointing to Bob Marley and Mykal Rose as influences, some of his previous songs include ‘Magga Dog’ and ‘Love of Hispanic Majesty’.

While Rasta Lightening admires reggae’s legends, being original is a big part of his sound.

“My sound is part of the reggae genre, but with a different style,” he said. “My style is totally different from others, but still in the form of reggae.”

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

As a youth in Jamaica, Dona V listened to many of the songs produced by Lloyd “King Jammy” James. He was drawn to those hit singles which are now considered classics.

In January, the New York-based singer fulfilled a dream to record songs on some of those timeless ‘riddims’. Directed by James at his legendary studio in Waterhouse, Kingston, he cut a cache of songs, 10 of which can be heard on ‘When Last’, an album released in April by VPAL Music.

Working with James is a big deal for Dona V.

“Thirty years ago, yuh used to feel a vibes an’ want to make songs to dem (beats). Thirty years forward, yuh still find yuhself having dis thirst to sing on these riddims, an’ dance to dem,” he said.

Some of the songs on ‘When Last are ‘President Nebuchadnezzar’, done on the ‘Far East’ beat; ‘Mus haffi Get You’ (‘Storm’ rhythm); and ‘When Last You Give’, which is done to the ‘Peanie Peanie’ riddim. 

Some of those beats drove songs like ‘I Know The Score’ by Frankie Paul; ‘Here I Am’ by Sanchez; and ‘Lonesome Side of Blue’ by Cocoa Tea.

‘When Last’ is Dona V’s third album, following ‘A Cry For Tomorrow’ and ‘Any Means Necessary’. He stated the objectives for his latest project.

“My intention is to attract all the original reggae audiences, then and now, who are longing to dance to some classic, never-dying rhythms, along with words and stories to make the listeners think, dream and feel good,” said Dona V.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Roots singer Stranjah Miller recently released ‘Awake’, his third album. Like its predecessors, it is strong on Afrocentric themes and odes to the good weed (marijuana).

‘Awake’ was released on April 25 by True Move International. Stranjah Miller says it was intended to be an EP, but during production, there was a change of plan.

“It was supposed to be a six-song EP, but after recording the six songs, me and my team decided to select some other songs that were already recorded,” he revealed. 

‘Awake’ hit the market three years after the release of ‘Move Mountain’, Stranjah Miller’s second album.

‘Bad Slave’, his debut album, was released in 2019.

Several producers contributed to the project, including True Move International, Afrokaf, Vilaz Zen, Lion Riddims, Zion High Sound, Guiding Star Sound, DP Production, Jah Colors Production, Digital Cut, and Ruff Stereo Sound System.

The album contains the title song, ‘Repatriation’, ‘Herbalist’ and ‘Coconut Chalice’.

“‘Awake is quite different when compared to the other albums I have done. I will describe ‘Awake’ as a more polished and uplifting project. It is a conscious reggae roots album with a sense of spirituality,” said

Stranjah Miller.

Initial promotion for ‘Awake’ took place in France, which, along with The Netherlands and the United Kingdom, is his strongest market.

Stranjah Miller is from rural St. Ann parish in northeastern Jamaica. He has been a recording artist since 2008.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Being the child of a respected musician, Nrozae was weaned on songs with arrangements meant to challenge the singer. That can be heard on ‘My Love’, her latest single.

It was released in late May by BadindianRecords, a company based in New York.

“I do appreciate arrangements that step outside the traditional reggae formula because they give me room to express soulful melodies and emotions, so I can connect with my audience,” said Nrozae. “I want my music to feel familiar to reggae lovers while also offering something fresh, memorable and timeless.”

Nrozae was born in Brooklyn to Jamaican parents. Her father, Patrick “Dizzy” Fleming, was a respected trumpeter who played with singer Denroy Morgan’s Black Eagles, one of the leading reggae bands in New York City during the 1970s.

Fleming also played on Morgan’s 1981 hit song, ‘I’ll do Anything For You’.

Like many American artists with Jamaican roots, Nrozae’s musical influences reflect her roots and upbringing. Listening to Marcia Griffiths, Tanya Stephens, Whitney Houston and Anita Baker helped develop her sound.

She began recording music seven years ago and has released songs intermittently.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL