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

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