Local selectas confront dancehall’s gray-market
For DJ Smoke One, collecting dubplate “specials” is a passion. Over the last six years, he’s meticulously built up his collection of unique versions of dancehall reggae hits personally voiced by top artists like Junior Reid, Cutty Ranks, Sizzla, Louie Culture, Ninjaman, Luciano, Yami Bolo, and Yellowman. He’s traveled to New […]

The reggae messenger
Luciano believes music can make a better world. In his native Jamaica, Luciano is a bona fide superstar. Now, the leading light of roots reggae in its modern post-dancehall incarnation is bringing his conscious sounds to Australian shores for the first time.

Sean Paul Gets Serious About Jamaican Violence

Reggae superstar SEAN PAUL is set to launch a one-man campaign to stop youth violence in Jamaica on his new album. The GIMME THE LIGHT singer insists his upcoming dancehall release won’t be full of party anthems, but will deal with issues that concern him about his native country. […]

60 SECONDS: Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is a Grammy award-winning dub and reggae artist and producer who’s worked with Bob Marley, King Tubby and the Mad Professor. Also known as The Upsetter, he has a reputation for being a bit mad and claims he burned down his old recording studio. He now lives […]

Ready for soca battle
When Marcel Bennett started winning singing competitions at primary school it was a clear indication that his future would play along to the musical notes of his dreams. The reigning Junior Soca Monarch whose stage name is Young Marcel took home last year’s award with his infectious tune “Running Red.”