REFLECTION & REASON

I love the Auto Show, and rarely (if ever) miss it. I love the lights and the reflections, the curves of the vehicles, the car enthusiasts sitting in the front seats and running their hands across the features, and I particularly love watching the designs evolve and the brands present themselves over time. I prefer to attend as close to opening day as possible, when the crowd is thin and the view is unobstructed. Needless to say, after a long two years' hiatus, I am happy to see the festivities resume. A chapter in Donovan Watkis' book Cultural Capital to Financial Capital: Reggae-Dancehall  was on my mind all week, as I anticipated attending the Canadian International Auto Show 's Media Day on February 16, 2023. In this chapter "Dancehall's Love Affair with Luxury Car Brands," he wrote about the connection through music over the years, with a few examples of songs from Beenie Man , Popcaan , and Bounty Killa . In the same spirit as Watkis' reflections, my...

Living in Canada, having an international perspective and appreciation for reggae-dancehall music is a natural occurrence. We can feel the impact from afar. As a Canadian of Jamaican descent, it is also evident how the culture is transferred from a distance, and how it inevitably changes across generations. Reggae music is a force, as is dancehall music. I have grown to appreciate it and appreciate the effects of Jamaican culture around the globe. The island has such a unique and infectious vibe that it is often imitated, circulated, and in some cases...appropriated. We know this, we witness this, but somehow the culture as a whole still hasn't received the full rewards...financially or otherwise. While it's nice to see artists like Kabaka Pyramid or Shaggy win Grammy awards for their creations, it is also natural to want the international force that is reggae-dancehall have a deeper impact on industry and infrastructure as well. An insightful conversation broadcast earlier thi...

The beautiful thing about information is that it's readily available and exists in abundance. Whether through formal education, the historical transfer of cultures, or through curated events like this week's Island Music Conference  (IMC) that are specifically catered towards a particular demographic. Founded by  co-CEO's Sharon Burke and Judith Ann Bodley, and event Chairman Dr. Orville Burrell (Shaggy), the Conference is, "an Island meeting place where music professionals share experiences, forge alliances, expand knowledge base, expose new music and talent, and connect with the heartbeat of the global industry," as stated on the event website, with the intention of helping participants navigate challenges, network, and gain education on the business of the island music industry. The event takes place from February 8 through 12, 2023 in Kingston, Jamaica. Keynote speakers over the next few days will include Shaggy (reggae musician, singer, DJ, and actor), Kyle B...

February is Reggae Month, established in 2008 by Jamaica's Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport , and the Jamaican Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) . It has been a joy to receive this extra dedicated month of teachings, events, and specialized celebrations for reggae music that can be enjoyed globally. It's another opportunity to showcase the brilliance of Jamaican music, culture, and to witness the ways in which these elements can contribute to Jamaica's international impact and local development. A nice precursor to the month was the announcement of the artist nominees for Canada's 2023 Reggae Recording of the Year Juno Award: Ammoye, Celena, Exco Levi, Kairo McLean and Kirk Diamond, and also Kairo McLean and Finn on January 31. Take a look at this ReggaeNorth.ca article for the overview (Juno nominee image via Reggae North). We're at an era in reggae music where it's just as easy to consume live music online as it is out in a venue. Nonet...