REFLECTION & REASON

It takes many moving pieces for dancehall reggae culture to evolve and continue to be innovative. With varying levels of visibility, appeal, and entertainment value, each player has a crucial role in maintaining and sustaining the culture's history, current trajectory, and future impact. THE MUSIC The producers, musicians, selectors, songwriters, artists, and engineers. THE INDUSTRY The business managers, promoters, event organizers, record labels, streaming platforms, and distribution services. THE CULTURE Innovators like dancers and influencers. THE SUPPORTERS Investors, sponsors, organizations, media, bloggers, podcasters, and advocates. Then there is the segment of support that exists IN PRINT: in theory, in classrooms and universities, and articles. The dancehall academia, thought leaders, professors, and authors. For your reference, we have curated a list of dancehall books (non-fiction, children's, and fiction) from the last 25 years. These texts support the culture by d...

It ain't Shottas . It ain't Dancehall Queen , and it ain't The Harder They Come . Slightly closer to Belly , and very far from Cool Runnings . That being said, writer/director/producer Nick Cannon went hard with his movie King of the Dancehall , released on September 11 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). No: he doesn't speak with a Jamaican accent (phew!), and yes: the movie is thoroughly entertaining. This film was definitely electric and definitely gave viewers an inside look at Jamaica and the world of dancehall music and movement. I will give Nick Cannon credit where credit is due: this is a good movie. And it's funny! In fact, just minutes into the movie I was wide-eyed and excited to hear dancehall music through the speakers of the Scotiabank Theatres in downtown Toronto. I was pleased to see images of Jamaica, beautifully arranged, and I was thankful that the 35-year-old American superstar took the time to visit, study, and communicate the...

So pleasant, yet so vulgar. So charming, yet so facety. So local, yet so international. Dufton Taylor Jr. (aka Tony Matterhorn) is a real character ...and a real talent. When you hear people talk about " it " factor, he's definitely got it.    I woke up this morning to routinely check my phone, which includes a quick scan of Twitter to see what's up in news, entertainment, the city, abroad, and just a synopsis of what's going on. Only to find a series of posts by Matterhorn , in true uninhibited fashion.  I understand that's the nature of Twitter: to speak your mind, to show your real self to friends, fans, and followers near and far. But there is something ridiculously authentic about Tony Matterhorn's Tweets that always make me think, this guy is something special. And he's FUNNY. Extremely.  It's a creative energy. A talent. An awareness, and most importantly a genuine connection with his culture and fans that he s...