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

Although he first met Ernie Smith three years ago, G Cole was a longtime admirer of the singer-songwriter. When Smith died on April 16 in Miami at age 80, he was among the thousands of people mourning.

G Cole wrote and recorded ‘There Goes That Man’, which salutes Smith who is best known for songs like ‘Pitta Patta’, ‘Life is Just For Living’ and ‘Duppy Gunman’. Released on April 28, G Cole co-produced the single with Ed Robinson, a close friend of Smith.

“As an artist, he was an enigma. Big voice, awesome storyteller, Ernie’s smile was as big as his voice, and he lived for that stage, no doctor, no management could keep him off it,” said G Cole. “A true showman, and he loved his fans as much as they loved him.”

In addition to being singer-songwriters, Smith and G Cole shared another similarity. They were raised in St. Ann, a scenic parish in northeastern Jamaica. 

When he heard of Smith’s death, G Cole decided to write a song that celebrates his achievements.

“I think Ernie’s greatest legacy is, the legend of Ernie Smith never diminished the humility of Ernie the man, for someone as accomplished and as revered, he’d give that love right back to you,” he stated. “If you sat with Ernie for a minute or for hours, one thing is for sure, you’re going to love him.”

‘There Goes That Man’ is G Cole’s second song for 2026. In March, he released the self-produced ‘I’m in Love’, a lovers' rock track.

The thanksgiving service for Ernie Smith takes place on May 16 at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Davie, South Florida.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Roots singer Keithus I says the songs on ‘Worship And Praise’, his sixth album, reaffirm his commitment to making heartfelt music. The nine-song set, which he co-produced with Delroy “Phatta” Pottinger for his Jahdynasty Production, is scheduled for release on May 8.

Three songs from the album — ‘His Will’, ‘Faith’  and the title track — have already been released.

Keithus I worked with some of the leading musicians in Jamaica on his first album since ‘Truth is The Way’, which came out in 2022. The result are songs “with love for all.”

He added that, “The players of instruments and the singers of praises make this album a package of love and joy inspired by the Most High.”

Two of the songs on the album are by fellow singers Fred Locks and Teddy Dan.

The core musicians on ‘Worship And Praise’ are guitarists Mitchum “Khan” Chin, Paul “Wrong Move” Crosdale and bassist Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis of The Firehouse Crew; keyboardists Robbie Lyn and Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul, drummers Kirk Bennett and Mark Dawson, bassist Flabba Holt and percussionist Hector Lewis. 

Pottinger, whose production credits include albums and songs by Big Mountain and Michael Franti, has been collaborating with Keithus I for almost 20 years.

Keithus I, who lives in Connecticut, was a soccer player in Jamaica and Canada. It was while living in Montreal during the mid-1970s that he launched his recording career.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

For ‘Depression’, his latest song, Denam revisits a deeply personal subject. One with familial ties.

Released in January, the Jamaican singer-songwriter says ‘Depression’ is steeped in deception.

“It is based on my own personal experience. Betrayal from friends and families that I let close to me, I almost lost my life,” he said about the self-produced track.

Denam adds that ‘Depression’ is the most emotional song he has done since his recording career started 10 years ago. ‘Blessing’, released in 2020, is his best-known song.

From rural Clarendon parish in central Jamaica, Denam is among a group of alternative reggae acts in Jamaica whose music is not limited to dancehall. He points to a tough upbringing for the serious tone of some of his songs. 

Ironically, his biggest musical influence is Bounty Killer, the dancehall heavyweight, many of whose songs are inspired by urban life.

Denam hopes ‘Depression’ has a far-reaching impact.

“I recorded this song with the intention of reaching people of all age groups and all races,” he said.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

In ‘No War’, Young Garvey sings about the danger of countries like the United States possessing nuclear weapons. It was released three years ago, but given the hostilities between the United States and Iran, the song is back on the market.

‘No War’ is produced by Leroy Sibbles, the singer-songwriter/bass guitarist best known for his work with The Heptones.

Young Garvey filmed the music video for ‘No War’ in Trench Town, a community in Kingston, Jamaica famous for producing acts like The Wailers. It is also one of the country’s most fractious areas, with a long history of gang and political violence.

“Whether it’s nearby or global, war is not a good thing. Dat’s di message of di song,” said the dreadlocked Young Garvey, who spent some of his youth in Trench Town.

He has recorded several songs for Sibbles’ Bright Beam label, including ‘Cool Natty’ and ‘One More Sad Song’. The latter was inspired by the controversial death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May, 2020.

When tension between the United States, Israel and Iran began in March, Sibbles and Young Garvey agreed it was appropriate to re-release ‘No War’.

‘What If’, produced by Humbleness Productions out of France, and ‘Still Going On’, produced by One Nation Music, are songs released by Young Garvey in 2026.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Peter Price signing copies of his Gregory Isaacs biography on April 13 in Kingston, Jamaica.

‘The Cool Ruler: The Incredible Life Story of Gregory Isaacs’, a biography on the legendary reggae singer, was launched in Kingston, Jamaica on April 13 at Triple T Eatery. It is written by Peter Price.

The high school teacher’s objective is to expose young people to the music of Isaacs, who died in October, 2010 at age 60.

“I aim to reach both traditional lovers and admirers of reggae music, and in particular lovers rock as espoused by Gregory Isaacs. Also, for the younger persons, so that they can get to know more  about Gregory Isaacs, his numerous songs and great songwriting and singing talents,” said Price.

One year ago, he was part of a group that traveled to the United Kingdom for the six-show run of ‘The Cool Ruler: The Musical’, a stage production starring Terrence Wallen as Isaacs, who died in London in October 2010 at age 60.

Like that show, ‘The Incredible Life Story of Gregory Isaacs’ covers the singer’s triumphs, which includes numerous hit songs like ‘Night Nurse’ and ‘Soon Forward’. It also documents his long battle with cocaine.

Isaacs’ wife, June Isaacs, who attended the Kingston launch, says Price’s book does her husband justice.

“It’s incredibly important that Gregory’s life is documented. Legacy matters, if we don’t tell our own stories, someone else will, or worse, they get forgotten. This book is a truthful account of his life: the victories, the struggles, and the lessons that shaped him,” she said. 

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Rosemarie Denise Simpson, daughter of Bunny Diamond, and deejay Little Twitch at the March 27 show honoring The Mighty Diamonds at Swift River Center in Queens, New York.

The music of The Mighty Diamonds filled Swift River Center in Queens, New York on March 27. That is where Tribute To Their Legacy, an event honoring that legendary roots-reggae trio, took place.

It was the fifth annual staging of the show, which is organised by the Caribbean American Society Of New York (CASONY), as well as  families of Tabby Diamond and Bunny Diamond of The Mighty Diamonds, who died within days of each other in March and April, 2022.

It was attended by Donald Shaw Jr., son of Tabby, and Rosemarie Denise Ferguson, Bunny’s daughter.

According to Gerry Dawes of CASONY, “The response was overwhelming! Unfortunately, some patrons had to be turned away after the venue was packed to capacity, around 150 people, but everyone enjoyed themselves and was appreciative.”

There were performances by many artists including Derrick Barnett & Statement Band, Smurf, Chester Dawes, Barney Rebel, Original Prince Junior, Willow Wilson, Cherry Rock, Scepta, Little Twitch, Papa Michigan, J Written, the Afrikumba Utibe Drummers, Niquana White (The Healer) and Ras Osagyefo.

Organisers also honored people who have contributed to Tribute To Their Legacy since it was first held in 2022, as well as promoted the music of The Mighty Diamonds over the years. They are marketing consultant Sherein Lisa-Jean Morgan-Hill; singer Luther "Cherry Rock" Ellis; Trench Town stalwart Constantine Antonio “Dream” Walker; veteran music producer/show promoter Tony Owens; broadcaster Francine Chin; Neriah Foxe from the Church of Haile Selassie in Brooklyn, New York; broadcaster DubbMaster Chris; Richard “Little Twitch” Wright; deejay Anthony “Papa Michigan” Fairclough; and Horace Davis, founder and president of CASONY.

Tabby and Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson formed The Mighty Diamonds with Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson in Trench Town in 1969. They are famous for songs like ‘I Need A Roof’, ‘Africa’ and ‘The Right Time’.

Tabby, 67, was murdered near his Kingston home, while Bunny succumbed to complications of a long-term illness at age 70.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Ernie Smith, who typified the singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s, died at the University of Miami Hospital on April 16 at age 80. His wife, Claudette Bailey Smith, confirmed his passing.

Smith was admitted to the hospital on April 7 and underwent surgery two days later for an undisclosed illness. He was placed in the Intensive Care Unit following the procedure.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, Smith was raised in rural St. Ann parish. His upbringing in the latter inspired his down-to-earth songs like ‘Ride on Sammy’, ‘Bend Down’ and ‘Life is Just For Living’.

Most of those songs were recorded during the 1970s when Smith flourished at Federal Records in Kingston. ‘Pitta Patta’, ‘Duppy Gunman’ and ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’ were some of his other chart-riders.

Despite the acclaim he achieved, Smith shunned the limelight. For Roger Lewis of Inner Circle, his friend of over 50 years, it was one of the traits that endeared him to people.

Lewis described Smith as, “A humble musical giant. The fantastic songwriter, the man who was so right in saying, ‘Life is Just For Living’. May his very beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.”

Smith came of age during the 1970s, considered the golden age of reggae. Unlike the 1960s when many Jamaican artists covered American songs, he, along with Bob Marley, Bob Andy and Peter Tosh wrote original material.

Ernie Smith is survived by his wife, five children and one grandchild.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL

Roots singer Ras Kronik has released the video to his song, ‘Agree to Disagree’. Directed by Anna Mellis from Poland, it was filmed in that country and Las Vegas, where the Jamaican artist is a longtime resident.

‘Agree to Disagree’ was released in 2023 as part of ‘The Energy’, Ras Kronik’s third album.

“The message (behind the song) is for humanity to live in love and oneness, especially in this time where we're going through the evolution of consciousness,” he said. “With the video released, over time it will help get the message out, because that's the intention.”

Ras Kronik is from rural Clarendon parish in Jamaica. While most of his songs are in the roots-reggae vein, he has experimented with EDM and Trap to broaden his audience.

That willingness to step outside of his comfort zone has added to the Rastafarian singer’s popularity in Las Vegas where he is a leading light in a close-knit reggae community.

For ‘The Energy’, Ras Kronik worked with Atlanta-based Pandemic Records, and the Bonafide Band, a group of Jamaicans who also live in Las Vegas. 

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL