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

Singer Chabano Nkani tips his hat to the black woman on ‘Woman of My Dreams’, his latest song, which was released in May. The Connecticut-based artist produced it for his Isle Of Springs Records.

While stressing his respect for women of all ethnicities, Chabano Nkani added that as a black man, it is important that he salute ladies of African descent.

“I strongly believe that it is incumbent on us as a people to project the group in general and the black woman in particular, in a positive light. The black woman must always be encouraged, inspired, and aspire to reach her true potential,” he stated.

‘Woman of My Dreams’ is the Jamaican’s second song for 2026. It is the follow-up to ‘Close to You’, which came out in January. Both are expected to be featured on Chabano Nkani’s album, scheduled for release late this year.

Chabano Nkani has had a varied career since making his recording debut over 20 years ago. As a fledgling artist, he did songs for top Jamaican labels such as In The Streetz (‘Showers of Blessings’) and B-Rich (a cover of Kenny Rogers’ ‘Write Your Name Across my Heart’).

In addition to several self-produced songs, he has produced songs for T.O.K, Warrior King, Luciano, Natural Black, Half Pint, Kirk Davis, and Hawkeye.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

‘New Man’, the first EP from Sone G, is scheduled for release on July 28. The Toronto-based artist considers it his most creative project to date.

He collaborated with multiple producers on its eight songs, two of which (‘Rescue Me’ and ‘Stronger’) were previously released.

“I worked with about five producers because I wanted complete uniqueness in every track,” Sone G  said.

Describing ‘New Man’ as “a special body of work,” he stated that, “There is a track for everyone.”

Released in July, 2025, ‘Rescue Me’ topped the Reggae North Canadian Top 20 Chart in January. It is produced by Heavy Unit Productions.

‘Stronger’, produced by Vi Records, came out in early May.

‘New Man’ has been in the works for some time. Sone G began meticulously crafting its songs two years ago, and has worked with producers like Joey 2 Kool from Guyana during that time.

From rural Clarendon parish in Jamaica, Sone G is a committed Christian. However, that has not limited his experimentation with different genres.

He has recorded songs to beats considered secular, such as dancehall, reggae, and Trap.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

An unapologetic admirer of classic Jamaican music, Mr. Vegas has shown his love for genres past by covering songs like Josey Wales’ ‘Sweet Jamaica’ and Jimmy London’s ‘A Little Love’. He was keen to record a song on the ‘Hill And Gully’ mento ‘riddim’ which is the rage in dancehall.

‘Sharon’, his song on that beat, was released in May. It is produced by Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor.

“It is good that Stephen McGregor has brought back the music to a place where people can dance. The first time I heard the riddim I knew it was gonna be a hit,” said Mr. Vegas. 

The ‘Hill And Gully’ is a modified version of a mento song that is part of Jamaican folklore. It is still performed by mento acts throughout Jamaica.

McGregor’s production is driven by songs such as ‘Slip & Slide’ by Masicka.

Having recorded hit songs like ‘Tek weh Yuhself’, Mr. Vegas is no stranger to mento, a sound that enjoyed its greatest popularity in Jamaica during the 1940s and 1950s. As a youth, one of his favorite artists was Stanley Beckford, a charismatic singer who had a flurry of hit songs during the 1970s to the 1990s.

Mr. Vegas considers ‘Sharon’ as another example of his versatility. His songs include dancehall hits such as ‘Heads High’, ‘Bruk it Down’ and the gospel-inspired ‘I Am Blessed’.

“It is important for me to record on hot riddims because of the love I have for dancehall music. Furthermore, I am very focused on taking my music to the next level within the next 10 years,” he said.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

When Willie Stewart came up with the concept for a song that empathized with Jamaicans in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, making the charts was the furthest thing from his thoughts.

But that song, ‘Have A Little Faith’, topped the South Florida Top 25 Reggae Chart for four weeks in May. Released in February, it features an all-star cast, assembled by the former Third World drummer.

“Number one for four weeks is a feeling that it is time to find our faith within, not to give up, and keep the fire of hope burning alive no matter what you are going through,” said Stewart. “Health issues, financial issues, or work issues. Whatever it is, just don’t give up on hope and your dreams and you will pull through.”

 He wrote ‘Have A Little Faith’, as well as co-produced the track with Sean Wedderburn. Stewart is also co-executive producer with Steve Lane.

The song features Leroy Sibbles, Carlene Davis, J C Lodge, Gem Myers, Dwisdom, Glen Washington, Wayne Armond, Alecia Marie, Carl McDonald and Patrick Ulysees Pinkney.

“I must thank everyone involved in this production for their time and effort and support. This song carries a simple but heartfelt message that the world can relate to,” said Stewart.

 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28. The Category 5 system caused severe damage to the island’s southwestern region, resulting in over 40 deaths and $8 billion in damage.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Alwayne Love is a rarity in contemporary reggae. A singer-songwriter who shuns trends including collaborations with top artists to get a ‘bus’.

His self-titled debut album was released on May 1 by T25 Records, a Brooklyn, New York-based company. He wrote all its nine songs which are co-produced by Mark Burke and Steven Ventura.

For Love, creativity and being original got precedent on his most ambitious project to date.

“The satisfaction (making the album) wasn't a chart number, it was hearing that balance come through, the same balance I talk about in life, and knowing the album sounds like me, start to end,” he said.

‘Africa The Motherland’, released in 2024, is the only song from ‘Alwayne Love’ that hit the market previous to May 1. ‘Drop it Supreme’, ‘Where Did You Go’ and ‘Wake Up’ are other tracks from the eclectic set.

Alwayne Love started his career as gospel artist J Love over 10 years ago. Although he gradually embraced secular sounds after a change in stage name, he maintained the spirituality of his early work.

He was determined to express that sincerity on ‘Alwayne Love’.

“My message to listeners on release day was simple: ‘Take what's yours and leave the rest’. Everyone will relate differently, and that's what life is about. Share this journey with me, and let's give thanks for reaching this stage,” Love reasoned.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Many artists record songs to entertain. While he shares that belief, Krueshef wants to educate people who listen to his music.

The St. Croix native kicked off his 2026 campaign with two songs — ‘My Sound’ (which features Jamaican deejay Lawgiver) and ‘Blaze dem Up’. They were released in February and May, respectively.

“Krueshef’s sound brings reggae and dancehall together at its finest. It’s full of love, peace, rebuke, truth, and the father and son principles from the Bible to educate and to self-reflect on one’s own ways, but ultimately to be a better person,” he said.

He co-produced ‘My Sound’ with Lawgiver, Jtwist, KIMANI and Steely and Clevie. ‘Blaze dem Up’ is co-produced by Austin Joseph and Lloyd Laing.

Their rhythms (roots-reggae and dancehall) may differ but the themes are similar.

“The message behind both songs is to shed light on truth and what really happens in everyday normal life with your family and so-called friends,” Krueshef stated.

As a youth in the United States Virgin Islands, he listened to legends like Bob Marley and dancehall acts like Bounty Killer. Those influences can be heard on Krueshef’s earlier songs like ‘Wine Up’ and ‘Race’.

Krueshef started out in music as Splittt Personality. He also had a solid career as a super-middleweight boxer, representing the United States at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

When Tracey agreed to be a part of the ‘We Worship Riddim’, she went to the scriptures to write ‘Grace’, her song on the EP, which was released in January by Dacosta Music.

“In the book of 2nd Corinthians 12–9, it says, ‘My Grace (God’s Grace) is sufficient for you’. Meaning, God’s Grace is ALL we need to overcome failures, hardships and self-sufficiency,” she said. “When I think about how far I’ve come, I simply cannot do it on my own. Not without the Grace of God!”

Tracey, who lives in Atlanta, got involved with ‘We Worship Riddim’ when a mutual friend introduced her to Kenne Blessin, its producer. Blessin, a fellow Jamaican who also lives in Atlanta, was looking for artists to record inspirational songs on a soca beat. 

Both of them are also from St. Thomas, a lush parish in eastern Jamaica. Influenced by CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Tasha Cobb-Leonard and Shirley Caesar, Tracey has been recording music for over 20 years.

‘Just In Time’, Tracey’s sole album, was released in 2003.

‘Where’ by Kenne Blessin; ‘We’ve Been Waiting’ by Namamous and Azizi; ‘We Worship You’ (Uni'Verss); ‘My Cry’ (Cassandra Glory); ‘Winning Season’ (Lee Priest Johnson) and ‘The Moment’ by Israel Onova are the other songs on the ‘We Worship Riddim’.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL