fbpx

PAST SPEAKERS

[JAMAICA MUSIC CONFERENCE]

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

  • All
  • Speakers 2013
  • Speakers 2014
  • Speakers 2015
  • Speakers 2016
  • Speakers 2017
  • Speakers 2018

Tessanne Chin

International recording artist/songwriter/ “The voice” season 5 winner  |   While she was introduced to most of the world as a contestant on season five of The Voice, singer Tessanne Chin already had a successful career back home in Jamaica, charting with the reggae hit “Hideaway” and touring the globe with the legendary Jimmy Cliff. Tessanne launched […]

Ibo Cooper

Michael Ibo Cooper holds the distinction of being a veteran member of two world renown reggae bands, Inner Circle and Third World. Ibo Cooper is from a family of educators and has committed his life to teaching the next generation of Jamaica’s independent music professionals. Ibo Cooper is currently a founding member and the chair […]

Assassin aka Agent Sasco

Agent Sasco’s discography over the past decade includes two full albums, and over 300 singles. He has performed solo shows and major festivals all over the globe from Europe to Central America, North America to Africa, all over the Caribbean and also in the Far East. He has worked with major trendsetters in reggae music […]

Bob Andy

A Reggae legend, and founding member of the paragons, Bob Andy is responsible for some of Jamaica’s most enduring hits. In 2005, he fulfilled a life long dream and visited Africa for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Bob Marley.

Protoje

Recording Artist | There is an exciting resurgence of conscious, organic music in Jamaica and industry experts and observers agree that Protoje is playing an important role in what is becoming known as the “Reggae Revival.” Leading the militant band – The Indiggnation – this powerful songwriter and philosophical thinker articulates the righteous anger of […]

Rory "Stone Love"

Calabar Alumnus, Rory Stone Love has been a part of the world’s most successful sound system stone love since 1982. Rory has traveled the world and has become synonymous with the with the Stone Love Movements the global brand. Rory has also distinguished himself as a world class producer helping to introduce the artist Jah […]

Karen Marie Mason

Karen Marie Mason has worn man hats in the entertainment industry: Artist Manager; promoter; radio show host. In addition she has served as former director of Marketing at Sony Music and later head of Black music marketing at East/West Elektra. She has worked with such entertainment companies such as NFL Films, MTV and BET.

Michael Epstein, esq.

Kingz and Pharaohz  |   Michael Epstein, Esq. is a Miami-based entertainment attorney [ChaseLawyers.com] focusing his practice on music, sports, and film. He graduated from New York University College of Arts and Sciences, summa cum laude, and University of Miami School of Law, cum laude. With an extensive history in music performance, he serves as a […]

Winford Williams

Born in Rural St Andrew, Winford Williams’ career in media spans almost twenty years. Winford entered the scene in 1991 as a Sales Executive at Power 106 FM and within a year became an outstanding contributor in, not just Sales and Marketing but also in the area of content creation and production for the new […]

Ronald "Ronnie" Burke, OD

Co-founder, Reggae Sunsplash | After years of success as an insurance sales agent, Mr. Burke decided to follow his heart into the business of music, and along with schoolmate and friend formed Micron Music, a small record production and distribution company. Micron was the first company to distribute only with Jamaican music and quickly boasted […]

Paul Barclay

Chairman, Jamaica Association Of Composers Authors & Publishers (JACAP)  |   There seems to be no power on earth that will stand in the way of ultimate success for Paul Barclay, who after releasing his first Chart Toping single ‘NO Power on Earth’ by George Nooks, under his KatsJam Records label, is now being recognised as one […]

Kabaka Pyramid

Kabaka Pyramid is a multi-talented artist and producer coming straight from the streets of Kingston, Jamaica with a unique musical style blending the lyricism of Hip hop, with the energy and melody of Reggae and Dancehall. He is based out of the Bebble Rock music camp and through his liquid and hypnotizing delivery spreads the […]

Michael Skolnik

Michael Skolnik Michael Skolnik (born August 15, 1978) is a 21st-century American civil rights activist, writer, motivational speaker, social media strategist and entrepreneur. He is currently serving as the Political Director to hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons and President of GlobalGrind.com,[1] founded by Simmons in 2007. As Political Director, Michael oversees Simmons’ entire social justice and […]

Copeland Forbes, OD

Entertainment Manager, Comar Productions Limited | Jamaica’s most prolific global tour manager, artist manager and reggae historian Copeland Forbes has single handedly put Jamaica on more maps internationally than most Jamaican dignitaries have done since the country gained independence from Britain in 1962. This renders Forbes, to be amongst some of the most powerful and […]

Garfield "Chin" Bourne

Garfield “Chin” Bourne is co-founder of powerhouse Caribbean entertainment company Irish and Chin. Respected as a Reggae/Dancehall tastemaker and sound connoisseur,Chin burst on the scene as a selector in the early 90’s and rose to prominence in 1998 as a renowned promoter and event producer. Notably, Chin is the brainchild of successfully branded events including […]

Honorable Olivia Grange CD, MP

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports | Ms. Olivia “Babsy’ Grange has had a long, productive and inspiring career as a cultural activist, working at the grassroots level in developing and managing talent. She is an artist, director, event planner and an ardent supporter and promoter of Jamaica’s creative and cultural industries. She is […]

Michael "Mikey" Bennett

Mickey Bennett is considered one of the top songwriters in contemporary Jamaican music. A former member of the Home T Band, Bennett is best known for such commercial hits as “Mek the Christmas Ketch You In A Good Mood”, “House Call”, “Mr. Loverman” both featuring Shabba Ranks, “Telephone Love”, “Can You”, and “If You Want […]

Carolyn Cooper

Carolyn Cooper is Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies at the UWI’s Mona Campus where she teaches Caribbean, African and African-American literature. She also co-ordinates the University’s embryonic Reggae Studies Unit, an academic project she initiated. Professor Cooper is the author of Noises in the Blood: Orality, Gender and the ‘Vulgar’ Body of Jamaican Popular […]

Renee Robinson

Film Commissioner Of Jamaica  |   Renee Robinson is the Film Commissioner of Jamaica, and a multi-lingual cultural industry strategist and thought-leader. She has worked in Canada, Europe, South Africa, and the Caribbean – within the verticals of film, television, digital media, arts and culture, entertainment, and communications. With over a decade of senior management experience […]

Protoje

Protoje first mix tape, Lyrical Overdose introduced the world to a unique style like no other. The son of Lorna Bennett, Protoje exploded into the world consciousness with a collaboration with Kymani Marley that led to the hit song, Rasta Love. His latest album, “Ancient Future” features the hit song, “Who Knows” with the artist […]

Joan Webley

Joan is driven by a belief that a concerted focus on developing local creative industries will correct the societal and economic problems plaguing Jamaica. This belief (held some 13 years now) led her to pursue tertiary studies in Australia where the unique course combination of an LLB and Bachelor of Business (Music Industry specialisation) was […]

Olivia "Babsy" Grange, CD, MP

Ms. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, CD, MP is one of Jamaica’s most prolific talents and campaigners – a businesswoman and social worker. She has been a Member of Parliament since 1997, representing the Constituency of Central St. Catherine and is currently the Opposition Spokesperson on Information, Sports, Culture, Entertainment and Gender Affairs. In the previous administration, […]

Allen Johnston

The Music Specialist  | Allen Johnston has More than three decades of progressive experience in all aspects of music product development, licensing, sales, promotion and distribution for national and international markets. Mr. Johnston provides business operations back office services in the areas of publishing administration, licensing, royalty recovery, business affairs, label operation, business administration and […]

Tony Rebel

Recording Artist/Event Producer, Rebel Salute/Flames Productions

Junior Reid

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Delroy ‘Junior’ Reid originally came into prominence around 1984 as part of theWaterhouse crew, and quickly gained fame in Jamaica and dancehalls abroad from such hits as “Original Foreign Mind”, “Reggae Gone Cross the Border” and his take on Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature”. in 1990 he scored a hit with the […]

Brendon "Daddi Barnz" Sharpe

Managing Director, Chronixx Music Group Ltd. | Born Brendon Fabion Sharpe on March 23, 1989, grew up in Spanish Town where he was introduced to live music while assisting as an audio technician at community Church services. Mr. Sharpe is now a Co-founder of the Chronixx Music Group Ltd and plays the role of business […]

Barbara Blake Hannah

The Founder of the Reggae Film Festival, Barbara Blake Hannah was always been a trail blazer. Barbara Hannah left her island home of Jamaica and moved to London in 1964, where she gained public attention in 1968 as the first Black journalist on British TV (THAMES, ATV, BBC). Barbara Blake Hannah returned to Jamaica in […]

Ricky Trooper

Ricardo “Ricky Trooper” Johnson was born in a small town in St. Mary, Jamaica. Before he reached his teen ages, he was introduced to the world of sound system by veteran sound owner, Copey, of Coptic Hi Power Sound System, of Spanish Town, Jamaica. By the time Trooper reached his twenties he joined the legendary […]

Danny Dread

Iconic brand King Addies’ pioneering selector, the living legend and *original One Drop selector*, Danny Dread is globally recognized and celebrated as *The Teacher*, who dominated the business in the late 70s right through the 80s on dancehalls most iconic sound systems. The global icon and Jamaican sound system selector, has influenced and had a […]

Ibo Cooper

Michael Ibo Cooper holds the distinction of being a veteran member of two world renown reggae bands, Inner Circle and Third World. Ibo Cooper is from a family of educators and has committed his life to teaching the next generation of Jamaica’s independent music professionals. Ibo Cooper is currently a founding member and the chair […]

Kendall A. Minter

Knights of Malta, O.S.J.  | Kendall A. Minter, a native of New York and graduate and Senior Class President of Flushing High School, participated in the six year combined arts/law program at Cornell University, graduating with a B.A. in 1974, and a J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1976. Kendall is a co-founder and inaugural […]

Marissa Longsworth

Manager of Copyright and Related Rights Directorate at JIPO, Marissa Longsworth has distinguished herself in the area of copyright. A licensed attorney, Marissa Longworth brings a wealth of know of copyright to JIPO. Marissa Longsworth spoke at the JMC 2014 on the protections provided by Jamaica’s copyright.

Evon Mullings

General Manager, Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS)

Jasmine Rand, Esq.

Known for her representation of the Trayvon Martin family, Rand excels in the civil rights arena, has posted multimillion dollar recoveries in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, and is currently involved in police brutality cases throughout the nation from the LAPD to the NYPD. In 2012 Rand received the Lawyers’ Committee For Civil […]

Damon “Bware” Vanzant

Delroy Thompson

Delroy Thompson a 40 year veteran of the Local / International Reggae music industry started working as Sound Engineer for Audiofon, which was once a major sound company in Jamaica. Working with Audiofon afford him the chance to work on the sound as an engineer for international bands and entertainers. In 1975, Mr. Thompson took […]

Nadine Sutherland

Nadine Sutherland Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Nadine Sutherland began performing in 1979, winning the Tastee Talent Contest that year (beating Paul Blake and Yellowman). She has the distinction of being the first artist signed by Bob Marley to hisTuff Gong label, recording “Starvation on the Land” at age eleven. In 1993 she recroded her hit […]

Simone Harris

Analyst Tourism Enhancement Fund Executive Director of 360 ARTISTS, an arts management company representing professional artists in the visual and performing arts. She was VP of Florida based ThinkLikeAgirl Music Inc., and the former Tour Manager at DianaKingLive Inc.

Freddie Mcgregor

A Jamaican Grammy nominee Reggae singer and songwriter with 40 albums, who wears the cap of a musician and a music producer. An entrepreneur and founder of the annual Florida-based Big Ship Music Fest. To sum it up the Big Ship Captain is a philanthropist, a dedicated dad, a nature fanatic, and a patriot Jamaican.

Kareece Lawrence

Born to parents who have an immense love for music, it’s no surprise that she too has become a lover of music; which she hails as being instrumental in her journey of becoming the True Self. Kareece has garnered a lot of experience in her 9 years in the Music industry- “I am honoured and humbled […]

Donisha Prendergast

Donisha Prendergast is the granddaughter of Rita and Bob Marley. She is, at heart, a true artist and activist. Her fresh and vibrant talent spans many disciplines. She a filmmaker and is an accomplished actor who has already had a wide range of starring roles in a number of major Jamaican television productions. She has […]

Tandra Jhagroo

Audio Engineer, Full Range Records | Tandra’s talents as an audio engineer has led her to engineer sessions with multi-platinum recording musicians. Tandra’s album credits include Drake’s Thank Me Later, Sean Paul’s Tomahawk Technique, the Jolly Boys’ Great Expectations, and Ammoye’s @Ammoyemusic, to name a few. Tandra has served as a Jamaica Region consultant for […]

Marcus Goffe

Marcus Goffe has served as a Trademark attorney with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office as well as an attorney for Jamaica’s Ras Tafari community. His work has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Jamaica’s Ras Tafari community and institutions such as the World Intellectual Property Organization. Marcus Goffe served as moderator on the JMC’s […]

Louis Grant

Executive. Vice President, Irie Jam Media Group NY USA | Louis Grant has enjoyed close to 20 years in media since he joined the team at Irie Jam Radio as Vice President and Executive Producer. He has proven to be an integral and essential part of the organization’s directorship, applying his incredible negotiation and strategy […]

Dutty Bookman

Thinker, agitator, author and family man, Dutty Bookman is credited with inspiring the term “Reggae Revival” to describe a current movement currently taking Jamiaca and the world by storm. He is also a co-founder of Manifesto|Jamaica, a youth empowerment non-profit organization. In addition, he is a talk show host on national radio (2007-2009); and operates […]

Robert Livingston

CEO, Scikron/Big Yard Music

Olimatta Taal

Originally hailing from The Gambia, West Africa, Olimatta Taal is a busy woman. Throughout her career she has worked as an oganizer, publicist, journalist, African dancer, poet, actress, and film maker. She currently serves as the publicist for critically accalaimed recording artist Sizzla Kalonji. Ms. Taal is dedicated to working towards building a just world […]

Lorna Bennett

Attorney-at-law/Artiste Manager, Indiggnation Collective | Lorna Bennett is a reggae singer who twice topped the Jamaican singles chart in the early 1970s, and who is best remembered for her reggae version of “Breakfast in Bed”. Bennett began her musical career singing in nightclubs. At one of these performances, she was noticed by Geoffrey Chung of […]

Rayven Amani

Rayven Aman former host of the cable broadcast “Yaad Beat”i is the creator of Jamaica’s Best School Band, the first inter-high school stage band competition made for television. Her first song “Wanna Be Free” was a local hit receiving favorable rotation from most of the local Jamaican radio and television stations. A rising star on […]

Iyah Gift

Born in West Africa to a Jamaican father and a Nigerian mother, Iyah-gift’s love for creating music was first influenced by the artists his parents loved, including Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Louis Armstrong. After moving to Jamaica at age 10 and then to the United States at 16, Iyah-Gift’s unique flavour echoes traces of […]

Marcus Goffe

Marcus Goffe has served as a Trademark attorney with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office as well as an attorney for Jamaica’s Ras Tafari community. His work has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Jamaica’s Ras Tafari community and institutions such as the World Intellectual Property Organization. Marcus Goffe served as moderator on the JMC’s […]

Simone Harris

Analyst Tourism Enhancement Fund Executive Director of 360 ARTISTS, an arts management company representing professional artists in the visual and performing arts. She was VP of Florida based ThinkLikeAgirl Music Inc., and the former Tour Manager at DianaKingLive Inc.

Gavin "Gavsborg" Blair

Music Producer/Co-founder, Equiknoxx | Gavin Blair has worked over the past decade to establish his name and brand in the music industry. As a member and co-founder of music production label Equiknoxx Music, Gavin and his creative partners have made an impression .with their signature unconventional approach to sound in the reggae dancehall space, “Equiknoxx […]

Jason Bevan

Music/Video Producer/Co-founder, Synthdicate Music Studio | Jason Bevans is based in New York city and is one of the founders of Synthdicate Music studio (Synthdicatemusic.nyc). He went to college for computer engineering and economics and is an accomplished software engineer for the past 15 years. In college he had a sound system and used to […]

Michael Harris

Rector, The African Music Institute, Gabon | Since 1991, Michael has been a member of The Little People and Teen Players Club and a founding member of Ashe Caribbean Performing Arts Ensemble (Both are performing arts ensembles in Jamaica). In 1996 Michael was accepted on scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, he […]

Owen "Blakka" Ellis

Writer/Educator/Performer, Ellis International Ltd | Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis is a writer, educator and performing artist. Known mostly for his work in comedy, he has written scripts for stage, screen and television, taught English and Drama in high schools and lectured at the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts for several years. He performed […]

Mikki Sellton

Booking Agent/Event & Artist Mgt., The Reggae Empire

Andre’ Adman

Director of Studies / Head of Music Education, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts | Andre’ Adman has been teaching music for over 18 years in the Jamaican education sector. He has taught music at all levels and has a keen interest in the development of music education in the island. He […]

Matthew Silpot, M.Ed., B.A.

Music Education Officer, Ministry of Education Youth & Information | Matthew Silpot has been in the Performing Arts for over 20 years, from student competitor to teacher in the Jamaica Development Commission (JCDC) music festivals, member of the Little Theatre Movement’s Pantomime, and facilitator of music workshops in Jamaica and the diaspora. Matthew has been […]

Nadine Sutherland, M.A.

Recording & Performing Artist | There are few artistes whose career intrigues different generations, Nadine Sutherland is one such. An artiste, whose talents are respected and admired in all age groups. Her voice heralded as one of the best in reggae music, her stage performances and hits captivating and breaking boundaries, her wide range of […]

Sawandi Simon

Producer : DJ, Track 63 Music | Sawandi spends his days as a General Practitioner and makes electronic music after hours. He has a bi-monthly show: Interesting Music, Interesting Medicine on Antiguan health radio station, Healthy Choice FM. On it he shares interesting current medical research and interesting music, new or old, that he’s listening […]

Tiffanie Anderson

Founder, Away To Africa   |      Tiffanie Anderson, attorney and founder of Away to Africa, is a graduate from Florida A&M University and St. John’s University School of Law. Ms. Anderson works as a college professor teaching law and is preparing to teach at UWI in January 2017. Between working as a professor and a […]

Philip Clarke

Director of arts and culture, university of technology jamaica (UTech)  |   Philip Clarke has been a writer, Actor and Principal choreographer of Eagles Theatre Troupe (Kingston) and of its most recent musical drama “Jamaica Alive!” which just completed a tour in Florida. Mr. Clarke wrote this musical about the discovery of Jamaica as he felt […]

Dr. Ashley George Hamilton-Taylor

University of the West Indies  |   Dr. Ashley George Hamilton-Taylor is founder of the Web, Animation, Visualisation and E-Learning (WAVE) Research Laboratory, Department of Computing, University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica. He has been deeply involved in the development of computing curricula at UWI and other tertiary institutions for over twenty years. His research and […]

Mannin Marsh

Project Grapevine/The Vinelist  |   Mannin Marsh started out his entrepreneurial career while studying Computer Science at the University of Technology where he designed premium logos for several companies across Jamaica and North America. He was awarded the Certificate of Appreciation for Designing Jamaica’s Geographical Indication by the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office in May 2015. In […]

Michie Mee

Hip Hop Recording Artist, Songwriter, Actress  | Michie Mee is known within the music industry for her unique rap style of combining reggae and dancehall with hip-hop. Many successful artists have followed in Michie’s footsteps using this gifted technique. With over two decades in the entertainment industry, the Juno nominated rapper and actress is not […]

Masani Montague

 Rastafest / Upfront Theatre Foundation  |   Masani Montague is a playwright, novelist, journalist and youth worker active in the Rastafari and Black community in Toronto for the past 39 years. She has written, directed and produced several plays, radio plays, documentaries, and the author of the novel, Dread Culture.  She co-coordinated the First International Rastafari […]

Dr. Sonjah Niaah

The Institute Of Caribbean Studies / The University Of The West Indies  |   The inaugural Rhodes Trust Rex Nettleford Fellow in Cultural Studies (2005) and a Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) at Mona, Sonjah Stanley Niaah currently heads the UWI’s Institute of Caribbean Studies, and is a […]

John Vilanova

Journalist  |   John Vilanova is a third-year Ph.D. student at the Annenberg School for Communication. His broad research and writing agenda focuses on the production, reception, and consumption of African American and Afro-diasporic music. His current research examines the contemporary Jamaican music industry, cultural industries development, and the coloniality of media systems and industrial organizations. […]

Natasha Von Castle

Editor-In-Chief, l3 Magazine  |   Natasha Von Castle is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is the Editor-in-Chief forL3 Magazine.  In her role, Natasha oversees a team of writers and music enthusiasts who interview and showcase the talents of the best musicians in the Caribbean, and around the world.  Natasha is also the Communications Director for […]

Barbara Blake Hannah

Barbara Blake Hannah, who is affectionately called Mama Makeda, made history and newspaper headlines back in 1968 when she was appointed as an on-camera reporter/interviewer on the Thames Television Daily Evening Show, Today with Eamonn Andrews, making her the first black person to appear on British television screens in a capacity other than that of […]

Kareece Lawrence

Born to parents who have an immense love for music, it’s no surprise that she too has become a lover of music; which she hails as being instrumental in her journey of becoming the True Self. Kareece has garnered a lot of experience in her 9 years in the Music industry- “I am honoured and humbled […]

Masani Montague, BA (Hons), MES

Masani Montague is a playwright, director, journalist, novelist and researcher. She has written, directed and produced several radio plays, stage plays and music videos. Her plays and radio plays include: Up On Eglinton, Breakout, Soundclash, Reasoning With My Sisters, Danger To The Public and To Sheba With Love. She has directed music videos such as, […]

Marcus Goffe

Mr. Marcus Goffe is an Attorney-at-Law and intellectual property law consultant. Mr. Goffe’s experience spans fifteen years in several areas of law including intellectual property law, criminal law, human rights law, and entertainment and media law. Mr. Goffe holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of the West Indies, a Master of […]

Joavan Puran

Joavan Puran better known as ‘Yagga’ has been involved in the growth and development of contemporary art in Jamaica for the past decade. His interests in issues relating to Jamaica’s social landscape are visualized in his work, primarily focusing on te rastafari community. Joavan is a pass student of the Edna Manley College where he […]

Lesley-Ann Welsh

‘Artivist’, Culture Curator and Experience Engineer best depict Lesley-Ann’s engagement with the transformational potential of creative expression in work and life. Lesley-Ann is a founding member and current Executive Director of Manifesto Jamaica; a social enterprise whose mission is to develop and attract opportunities for young people that inspire creativity, productivity and elevated consciousness, by […]

Hugh Douse

Hugh Douse attended the Mico College and later did a B.A. in Media and Communication at the University of the West Indies, Mona where he is now pursuing postgraduate work in Cultural Studies. He is an Adjunct Lecturer at the UWI in the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Hugh is a former administrator at St George’s […]

Natasha Von Castle

Editor-in-Chief, L3 Magazine | Natasha Von Castle is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is the Editor-in-Chief forL3 Magazine.  In her role, Natasha oversees a team of writers and music enthusiasts who interview and showcase the talents of the best musicians in the Caribbean, and around the world.  Natasha is also the Communications Director for […]

Paul Barclay

Board of Directors: JACAP, President: ACCS | Over the past 25 years, Paul Barclay has gleaned the right experience and exposure as musical director and band leader for renowned talents like Judy Mowatt, Grace Thrillers, Carlene Davis, Papa San, Warrior King and his own Katalys Crew. Mr. Barclay currently serves in multiple leadership roles including […]

Jamar "J Niice" McNeil

Radio Personality/Producer, The J Show, B96 FM Chicago | Since 2008, J Niice has been a familiar voice on Top40/Pop radio since 2002. He’s been heard on some of the the United States biggest Top 40 radio stations as well as in the Caribbean. Since 2008, J Niice has been the the morning show host […]

Nikki Z

VP of Content: 21st Hapilos Digital Dist., Radio Personality: Energy JA 102.1FM | Nicole Duhaney better known as Nikki Z had always wanted to pursue a career in media. A strong minded and opinionated individual, she kept listeners on the edge of their radio dial in Jamaica, as the host of the weekday Rise and […]

Niyah

Event Promoter/Booking Agent, MYC Entertainment | Niyah of MYC Entertainment is one of the most visible promoters, event organizers and industry go-to person in Toronto. Her relationships with concert producers in Canada, as well as signature events in the Caribbean puts her in the unique position of working with artists, media and music fans, all […]

Marcia Llyneth Griffiths

Marcia Llyneth Griffiths (born 23 November 1949) is a Jamaican singer. One reviewer described her by noting “she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances”. Born in West Kingston, Jamaica, Griffiths started her career in 1964, performing on stage with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires at the behest of […]

Copeland Forbes

The Man behind the Reggae Stars! Jamaica’s most prolific global tour manager, artist manager and reggae historian Copeland Forbes has single handedly put Jamaica on more maps internationally than most Jamaican dignitaries have done since the country gained independence from Britain in 1962. This renders Forbes, to be amongst some of the most powerful and […]

Patricia Meschino

A New York City based journalist who has for 28 years specialized in writing about Caribbean music and culture. A longstanding contributing writer to Billboard Magazine and Billboard.com, Patricia regularly reports on events held in Jamaica, and throughout the Caribbean, from a music business perspective. From pioneering ska acts to calypso legends to upcoming dancehall […]

Clyde McKenzie

Clyde McKenzie is a noted figure in Caribbean media and entertainment . He is currently a director of Magnificent Events .He is the founding general manager of the phenomenally successful Reggae Radio (IRIE FM )which has consistently polled as the number one radio station in Jamaica since its inception over a quarter century ago. McKenzie […]

Tifa

No one believed that Latifa Brown would turn into Dancehall’s Princess “TIFA”, one of the hardest working women in Dancehall. Showing Jamaica, and the world, Life isn’t what you have, its what you make of it, and if you follow your dreams nothing is impossible. Tifa’s interest in music developed from a very young age, […]

Bobby Clarke

Founder/CEO of Irie Jam Radio Jamaica-born, New York resident Robert “Bobby” Clarke, is president and CEO of Queens-based Irie Jam Radio. In 2017 he was honored by the Jamaican government with the sixth-highest honor in the island’s Orders of Societies of Honor, the prestigious Order of Distinction, “for over 20 years of dedicated media services […]

Ronnie Tomlinson

Ronnie Tomlinson is the CEO of Destine Media, the premier Caribbean artist Public Relations and Management Company, which has emerged as a PR powerhouse for her innovative perspectives on Public Relations and Media Management. Graduating from Hofstra University with a Bachelor’s in Science, Ronnie’s early career was in healthcare, financial institutions and the human resources […]

Alexx Antaeus

Alexx Antaeus is an award-winning composer/recording artist/producer with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Industry. He is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the governing party for the GRAMMY awards. Antaeus has been involved in recording, remixing, or producing for a diverse selection of artists such as Young […]

Michie Mee

Michie Mee is known within the music industry for her unique rap style of combining reggae and dancehall with hip¬hop. Many successful artists have followed in Michie’s footsteps using this gifted technique. With over two decades in the entertainment industry, the Juno nominated rapper and actress is not only an inspiration for female musicians, but […]

Steve Billings

Steve Alexander Billings is the CEO of SunCity 104.9FM and though he heads a series of other businesses namely Billings & Billings Custom Brokers, SunCity TV, Braeton Connection (Record Label) and Franchise Owner for Portmore Music Fest, “He brings a reassuring presence to Radio”. Steve has had over a decade of experience in Direct Sales […]

Jack Scorpio

Black Scorpio is a Jamaican sound system and record label run by Maurice “Jack Scorpio” Johnson. Johnson had started to operate a single turntable and speaker sound system in 1968 and started the Special I sound system in 1972, changing the name to Black Scorpio after the name caused friction in the area in which […]

Sarah Hsia

Sarah Hsia is the founder of Rockstone Legal, a boutique Intellectual Property and Entertainment firm based in Kingston, Jamaica. She works closely with some of Jamaica’s best-known artists and producers to develop, commercialize and protect their intellectual property, from simple licensing agreements to complex transactions and deal structures. Her experience, coupled with her many talents […]

Jamar “J Niice” McNeil

J Niice has been a familiar voice on Top40/Pop radio since 2002. He’s been heard on some of the North America’s biggest Top 40 radio stations as well as in the Caribbean. He is currently a co-host on Canada’s most listened-to morning radio program “Roger Marilyn and Jamar” on iHeartRadio Canada’s CHUM 104.5. He’s interviewed […]

Sanjay

Sanjay was born in Jamaica, moved to New York City when he was three, returned to Jamaica and attended the Hillel academy along with other musical talents. After completing high school, he attended Florida International University where he obtained a bachelors degree in psychology. Despite graduating with honors, music was definitely his true calling and […]

Kennedy ‘Prezedent’ Mensah

Music Publisher, Researcher, Music Historian Extraordinaire ‘Self-Made’ is often a term used for persons who have reached the pinnacle of their careers through determination and self-elevation, Kennedy ‘Prezedent’ Mensah is no different. He brought himself up professionally to be recognised as one of the world’s foremost authorities on Reggae Music and the Music industry. His […]

Kamp Kamila

Kamila McDonald, dynamic certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist, is a Stanford University graduate with an inspiring story of self-discovery and reclamation. Drawing from her own health and fitness struggles, she created a program which utilizes the philosophy that “a healthy, physical lifestyle cannot begin without a sound emotional and spiritual foundation.” After earning her […]

Phillip Clarke

He started his entertainment career as an Entertainment Journalist at the Youthlink, where he wrote many insightful, entertaining and inspiring articles featuring many outstanding Jamaicans and their achievements including Alaine, Tifa and several other well known personalities. This lead him to start his company, Silverwords Management and Entertainment, which has become a leading marketing company […]

Deep Jahi

The Brand Deep Jahi has maintained consistency at the upmost level of professionalism; he has made an impact cementing his name with: uplifting, soothing, poetic music. He is one of the perfect ambassadors for Reggae music, born as Rushane Sanderson in the parish of St. Mary. He started writing music from as early as age […]

Jason Bevans

Jason Bevans is based in New York city and is one of the founders of Synthdicate Music studio (Synthdicatemusic.nyc). He went to college for computer engineering and economics and is an accomplished software engineer for the past 15 years. In college he had a sound system and used to DJ throughout Florida and started beat […]

James Lord

Since 2007, James Lord has served as A&R Director for the Caribbean & North America for Zojak World Wide, the largest digital distributor of reggae music. He is a life long connoisseur of Jamaican culture and has more than 20 years experience in distribution, production and promotion of Reggae music.

Syntyche Clarke

Syntyche’ Clarke can be described using only three words: fashionable,passionate and proud. The American-born producer, program director, promoter and all-around Jane of all trades, was raised in a Jamaican and Bajan household. It was in the home where Syntyche’ developed a pride and passion for her Caribbean culture, which would eventually order her career steps. […]

Colo Colo

Colo Colo is a veteran dancehall personality who is revered as one of the individuals responsible for bringing dancehall dance to the mainstream of Jamaican culture. He brings his own unique groove, flow, feeling and attitude to the dance floor, and exhibits an effortless approach to teaching. He created several world-renowned steps and slangs and […]