REGGAE MUSIC IN CANADA // Organize and Centralize

The reggae music industry in Canada has existed almost as long as reggae music itself has, with its impact establishing itself in Canada with the emergence of Jamaican artists touring the country in the mid-1960s, and naturally with the increase of Jamaicans relocating north with the implementation of the Canadian Immigration Act of 1967. 

This unofficial overview and archive of the reggae music industry in Canada was constructed with the intention of providing a resource for reggae creators, consumers, and supporters in Canada and around the world. This cultural sector is broad, as is any genre. From the musical aspect to the industry and business side, the media, and the consumers, there are many factors that are at work to construct and maintain reggae music in Canada.

The following directory lists some of the many important elements of the reggae music industry: Broadcast Radio, Online Media, Recording Artists, Events & Festivals, and DJs & Sounds, collated as a source of support and as a means of encouraging new connections.

Are you working on any ideas in support of the growth of the Canadian reggae music industry? We'd love to participate; contact us at jcuf@kyapublishing.com to find out about our cultural communication services.

This list includes broadcast radio programming (past and present) in Canada with a primary focus on reggae music, news, and culture. This is a work in progress: we are happy to make additions as we become aware of additional programming. Have we forgotten a radio program or host that you'd like us to list? Please contact us as info@kyapublishing.com, or tag us on Instagram at @JamaicanCanadianZone.

DELROY G SHOWCASE | G 98.7fm (Toronto)

I.R.S. (INTERNATIONAL REGGAE & SOCA) | CFMU 93.3fm (Hamilton)
LEVEL THE VIBES | CFRO 100.5fm (Vancouver)

MORNING RIDE | 89.5fm (Toronto)

RADIO DUBPLATE | VIBE 105.5fm (Toronto)

REBEL VIBEZ | 105.5fm (Toronto)

REGGAE'S GOLDEN STAIRCASE | VIBE 105.5fm (Toronto)
REGGAE ROCKERS SHOW | CITR 101.9fm (Vancouver)
RIDDIM COME FAWAAD | CFBU 103.7fm (St. Catharines)

RIDDIM TRACK | G 98.7fm (Toronto)

VIBE DRIVE SESSIONZ | 105.5fm (Toronto)

WIZOLOGY SHOW | VIBE 105.5fm (Toronto)

This list includes websites, online radio stations, and prominent social media portals in support of Canadian reggae music. Are there are any sites you'd like to bring to our attention, to add to this list? Please contact us as info@kyapublishing.com, or tag us on Instagram at @JamaicanCanadianZone.

Canadian Reggae World

CanJam Muzik

Caribbean Vibrations

G View TV

Ital Roots Radio
Reggae Mania
Reggae Run Tingz

Reggae Xclusive

Toronto Reggae

This list includes recording reggae artists, bands, and musicians of the past and present whose careers were based in Canada, although not all are Canadian-born. Did we forget to mention any artists? Please contact us as info@kyapublishing.com, or tag us on Instagram at @JamaicanCanadianZone.

20th Century Rebels

Adri Zhina

Adrian Miller

Afua Cooper

Akustix

Allen's Conditions

Ammoye

Big Sugars

Blessed

Carl Henry

Carla Marshall

Chester Miller

Clifton Joseph

Critical and Revolutionary Tea Party

Devon Haughton

Devon Martin

Dezzle

DJ Ray

Donna Makeda

Dru

Dub Poets Collective

Dubmatix

Elaine Lil Bit Shepherd

Elsworth James

Errol Blackwood

Exco Levi

Eyesus

Friendlyness and the Human

Fujahtive

George Banton

Ghislain Poirier

Glen Ricketts

Humble

Innocent

Inspector Lenny

Ishan People
IRanimoo

Jackie Mittoo

Jah Beng

Jay Douglas

Jayson

Kafinal

Kardinal Offishall

Kaisha Lee

KConeil

Kim Davis

Kirk Diamond

Korexion

Kreesha Turner

Kulcha Connection

Kulcha Ites

Kwesi Selassie

Lazah Curretn

Leejahn

Lenn Hammond

Leroy Brown

Leroy Sibbles

Liberty Silver

Lillian Allen

Lix

Lyndon John X
Magic!

Makeshift

Mandiela

MC Caddy Cad

Mel Dube

Melanie Durrant

Messenjah

Michie Mee

Mikey Dangerous

Mojah
Mustiboy

Nana McLean

Naomi Cowan

Netoyut

Nkrumah

One

R Zee Jackson

Raggadeath

Rally Bop

Ras Lee

Razalution

Revelation

Skaface
Sky Star
Snipa Wizdom

Snow

Sol Odel

Sonia Collymore

Sunforce

Syren

Tabarruk

Tanya Mullings

Tasha T

The Mountain Edge

The Resinators

The Shanksters

The Sheiks Band

The Webber Sisters

Tony Anthony

Trade Winds

Trinity Chris

Truth and Rights

This is a list of  annual events that take place in Canada, with a prominent focus on reggae music and/or Jamaican culture. Have we left out any important celebrations? Please send us a link at info@kyapublishing.com so we can update our directory! If there is an upcoming event you'd like us to share on our Instagram page @JamaicanCanadianZone.

Caribana aka Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Toronto)

Edmonton Reggae Fest (Edmonton)

Grace JerkFest (Toronto)

Harbourfront's Island Soul (Toronto)

Irie Music Festival (Toronto)

Jamaica Day (Toronto)

Jambana (Toronto)

Montreal Reggae Festival (Montreal)

Ottawa Jerk Fest (Ottawa)

RastaFest (Toronto)

Reggae Fest Calgary (Calgary)

Reggae Music Conference (Toronto)

Scarborough African Canadian Festival (Toronto)

This is a list of Canadian Reggae DJs, sounds, selectors, and MCs, from past and present, as compiled by online sources. Have we missed anyone significant? No disrespect intended! Send us a link at info@kyapublishing.com, or tag us on our Instagram page @JamaicanCanadianZone and we'll add to this list of DJs.

Acid

Big Toes

Bigga Boss

Black Magic

Black Reaction

Blax Dun Da Place

Boodoo

Brimstone Gold

Capone

Chippy Military

Chris Dubbs

Delroy G
DJ Baldy

DJ Chocolate
DJ Hoppa

DJ Tyrone
DJ Verse One

Dub Connection
Faction Sound

FatKat Ent

Fire Boss Steenie

Firesquad

Flatline
George Barrett

Gideon

Heavy Metal

Ill Kidz

Infamous

John J

Journey

Judgement Day

K Zar

Killowatt

King Sharp to the World

King Turbo

King Vower

Lindo P
Louie Sutherland

Maceo City Crew

Magnum Force

Military

Mon a Galis
Mr. Jay

Mystic Sound

Outcast

Patrick Roots

Pressure Drop
Redemption Sound

Reggae Crew

Renegade Squad
Selecta Abel

Soul Vibes

Spex

Street Team

Sunshine Sound Crew

Supa Loaded

Super Heavy
Tank Gyal

Tasha Rozez

Whitebwoy

Xtra Stock

Zee

Here is a list of some of the key books, websites, and resources that we used to investigate the history and development of Reggae Music in Canada. This is a work in progress; we look forward to continuing to contribute to this growing body of work, and the overall research and development of this important cultural genre.
 

CURRENT // Juno Awards: Reggae Recording of the Year (Juno Awards)

2018 // "Jackie Mittoo and the Golden Age of Canadian Reggae" by CBC

2016 // Research Guide to Reggae Lane: Jamaica's Reggae Music Scene: 1960s to Present (Toronto Public Library)

2016 // Active Canadian Reggae-Dancehall Juggling Sounds and DJs (Ron Nelson)

2014 // A Brief History of Reggae Music in Toronto (David Dacks)

2012 // Global Reggae (Carolyn Cooper)

2007 // Guide to Canadian Reggae Artists (Nicky Dread)

If you're looking to continue your research of reggae music in Canada, here is a list of additional resources that you can read, watch, and enjoy. This is a work in progress; we look forward to continuing to contribute to this growing body of work, and the overall research and development of this important cultural genre.

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Original posting: March 2019 

Compiled by SM Robinson for Kya Publishing.