Reggae Global Radio

Director James Williams filming scenes for Squatta in Port Royal, Jamaica.

James Williams was raised on R&B, hip hop and discovered Jamaican pop culture while attending college during the 1990s. He is not a big soca fan, but is preparing to release his movie, ‘Squatta’, at Miami Carnival in early October.

‘Squatta’ is a drama that stars several Jamaican actors, including Christopher Daley and Stokley Brown, as well as dancehall deejay Mr. Easy. American rapper Spliff Star also has a major role in the film.

Williams, who was born in Maryland, wrapped production in Jamaica three months ago. He is confident ‘Squatta’ will premiere at the 42nd staging of Miami Carnival.

“We are on track for the film to be completed before our goal to premiere in October. We’ve started speaking with distributors and we are exploring the best timing for distribution. However, we have post-production to get through before the path is clearly defined,” said Williams.

The Howard University graduate started production on his first movie in early 2025 in Warrenton, Georgia where he lives. In September, 2025, he and his Twilight Ebb crew visited Kingston, Jamaica for four days where they did additional filming.

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in radio, television, and film at Howard. He served 21 years in the United States military, and went straight into filmmaking after leaving the service.

He put up most of ‘Squatta’s $250,000 budget. 

Williams was raised on action-packed blaxploitation movies from the 1970s that starred African-American actors like Fred Williamson, Pam Grier and Jim Brown.

He also admired gritty Jamaican movies such as ‘Third World Cop’ and ‘Shottas’.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

P’damore is known in music circles for party songs like ‘Telephone Love’, but the Toronto-based singer tackles a serious issue on ‘Look But Don’t Touch’, his latest single which was released in July.

Produced by Enos Robinson, it discourages inappropriate behavior by men toward women.

‘Look But Don’t Touch’ was written by P’damore after an eye-opening conversation he had with a female colleague.

“She opened up to me about the constant unwanted physical advances and boundary crossing she and other women face from men in public spaces. P'damore believes women deserve respect,” he said.

The workplace was once a toxic environment for many women, who complained about unwanted sexual advances by men. Such a scenario has transformed considerably since the advent of #MeToo in 2006. 

That movement has resulted in the toppling of powerful men who were accused of sexually exploiting women. Among those exposed were film producer Harvey Weinstein and actor/comedian Bill Cosby.

‘Look But Don’t Touch’ was released four months after ‘Take Me There’, P’damore’s six-song EP. It contains ‘Telephone Love’, a collaboration with Sylvan Spark; ‘Think Out The Box’ and ‘Your Mistake’.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

When music producer Earl Messam suggested Doniki cover ‘The Last Thing on My Mind’, the singer was not interested. He said it went against his creative principles.

The roots artist relented and eventually put a reggae spin to the track with fellow vocalist Rosie B. Their version was released in 2025 as part of ‘Champions In Action’, a compilation album from Wildfire Records.

Messam is founder and principal of that Philadelphia-based company which recorded many songs by Doniki, who died in his native Jamaica in 2016.

“Doniki never wanted to do the song, because he said he is a culture singer. But him end up doing it an’ it came out good,” said Messam.

‘The Last Thing on My Mind’ is written by American singer Tom Paxton who first recorded it in 1964. It has been covered by many artists including Dolly Parton, who cut a country version three years later with Porter Wagoner.

Parton, who died on August 25, also did a solo version in 2023.

Messam and Doniki were associated personally and professionally since the early 1980s when they first met at Tuff Gong recording studios in Kingston, Jamaica. They went on to record a flurry of songs, many of them released by Wildfire Records.

‘Champions In Action’ contains 23 songs by artists such as Ken Boothe, Pat Kelly, Ian Sweetness and Glen Ricks.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

‘Wake The Town And Tell The People’, a dance celebrating the 84th birthday of pioneer deejay U Roy, is scheduled for September 19 in Kingston. The event features many artists who got their break on Stur Gav, U Roy’s legendary sound system.

Also known as Daddy Roy, he died on February 17, 2021 in Kingston at age 78.

Named for his most famous song, the show will be held at the Cling Cling Oval in Kingston. U Roy and Stur Gav played at that venue numerous times.

His daughter, Dionne Beckford, spoke about the importance of keeping her father’s legacy alive.

“I believe that we as his children should keep his legacy going, because in actuality our Dad is one of the first deejays in Jamaica,” she said.

Josey Wales, Little John, Little Twitch and Lone Ranger are some of the acts billed for ‘Wake The Town And Tell The People’. They were regulars on Stur Gav during its heyday in the 1980s.

U Roy was born Ewart Beckford in Manchester parish, central Jamaica. He made his name toasting on sound systems in the early 1960s, before becoming a recording artist late that decade.

His deejay spin Alton Ellis’ on Girl I’ve Got A Date featured his signature, ‘Wake The Town And Tell The People’. It set the pace for other hit singles such as ‘Wear You to The Ball’ and ‘Tom Drunk’ (with Hopeton Lewis).

Through Stur Gav, U Roy mentored many artists who became famous. They include Charlie Chaplin, Early B, Tenor Saw and Yami Bolo.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

The Hill And Gully is arguably the hottest ‘riddim’ in the Jamaican dancehall for 2026. It is estimated that over 50 artists have done songs on the Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor-produced beat. One of them is Turban X.

The New York-based deejay’s contribution to the ‘riddim’ is ‘From The Gully to The Hills’ which was released in May. McGregor’s production is a dancehall take on a popular Jamaican folk song.

Having grown up in Jamaica listening to the original, Turban X was impressed by McGregor’s modifications.  

“His (McGregor) revisions gave it a modern feel and that appeals to the younger generation,” he said. Unlike most of the songs on the Hill And Gully, which are risque, ‘From The Gully To The Hills’ is straight-up positive.

“It’s telling people to praise God no matter the circumstance. Whether rich or poor, high or low, sick or healthy,” Turban X revealed.

In April, Masicka’s raunchy ‘Slip & Slide’ kicked off the Hill And Gully campaign. It was scorned by traditionalists in Jamaica who saw it as disrespectful to folk culture.

Anthony B, Chronic Law, Elephant Man, Devin Di Dakta, Govana and Hawkeye are some of the artists who have recorded songs on the ‘riddim’.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

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