Reggae | World Music Central

This single cover for Good Dayz features a young man with multicolored, neon-tinted hair and a reflective, iridescent jacket, standing under a moody, dusk-lit sky. Electric blues, magentas, and yellows bleed and melt into the surroundings. A rainbow-like streak pours from a power line, cascading down in liquid form. Urban setting, with a diner glowing in the background and wet streets reflecting the hues. The typography of Good Dayz mirrors the melting effect.

A Reggae Win for a Finn

One never knows where an authentic-sounding reggae track might come from nowadays. Federal Dee, whose home country is Finland, exemplifies as much with “Good Dayz,”…

This cover for Bonzo Faya's "Nati Stanchi" features an acoustic guitar adorned with stickers, including a Jamaican flag, the phrase "Work Sucks, Go Surfing," and "Home Grown." The setting is a dimly lit, cozy room, with someone casually seated, holding a cigarette, their head replaced with a silhouette wearing sunglasses. The single's title is graffiti-style.

Music videos Single reviews

Reggae Time for Bonzo

Tom Orr January 27, 2025 No Comments Bonzo Faya Reggae world music

Reggae from Italy is no longer a novel thing and if what I’ve heard of it is any indication, it rings true in comparison to…

Caleb Hart Riddim Man video screenshot. The artist singing, holding a microphone.

Music videos Single reviews

On the Spot and Spot On

Tom Orr January 24, 2025 No Comments Caleb Hart Reggae

Freestyling in a completely off-the-cuff, improvised manner, Caleb Hart (a Trinidadian based in Canada) displays a knack for Jamaican deejay chanting as well as wrapping…

The single cover for "Global Warming" by Minna LaFortune features a striking visual of Earth, depicted as half burning in fiery orange flames and half melting into icy tones.

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Warming Warning

Tom Orr January 17, 2025 No Comments Minna LaFortune Reggae world music

Addressing a worldwide problem in a true roots reggae style is exactly how it ought to be done, and Minna LaFortune does so on “Global…

The single cover for "Long Way Down" by Naya Rockers and Mike Love features a colorful illustration of a globe with exaggerated, fiery and earthy tones. It is surrounded by cosmic elements like planets and stars, framed with bold green lightning bolts against a black and yellow background. The title "Long Way Down" is displayed prominently in a vintage-style orange font, while the artists' names appear in a bright green font below the globe.

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A Word to the Unwise

Tom Orr January 13, 2025 No Comments Naya Rockers Reggae rocksteady world music

I’ve spotlighted the work of America’s Naya Rockers previously, and their “Long Way Down” gives me another reason to do so. It’s a melodic but…

Tiken Jah Fakoly - Photo by Youri Lenquette. This photo features Tiken Jah Fakoly seated in the center of a musical setup. He exudes a commanding yet serene presence, dressed in a flowing, traditional African garment adorned with warm orange and earth-toned patterns. His long, gray-tinted dreadlocks frame his face. Behind him, an ensemble of musicians surrounds the space, playing traditional West African instruments such as koras, balafons, and ngonis.

Artist Profiles

Afro-Reggae Musician Tiken Jah Fakoly

Angel Romero January 5, 2025 No Comments Ivorian music Ivory Coast Reggae Tiken Jah Fakoly world fusion world music

Tiken Jah Fakoly, born as Doumbia Moussa Fakoly, entered the world of reggae in the late 1980s, forming his first band, Les Djelis. Amidst political…

Daggy Busker Zion Meditation. At the center of the single's cover, a figure with a powerful presence sits in a meditative pose. His long, free-flowing dreadlocks frame his face, and he wears reflective, circular sunglasses. Adorned with layered jewelry, including beads and an intricate pendant, his attire—a vibrant blue. t Behind him, a surreal cosmic background swirls with fiery orange and deep indigo tones, resembling a celestial explosion or a galaxy unfolding. Stars dot the scene,. At the bottom of the cover, the text "Daggy Busker" is displayed in bold, futuristic typography.

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Daggy Style

Tom Orr January 3, 2025 No Comments Daggy Busker dub reggae Reggae world music

A combination of dub reggae and synthesized chill, “Zion Meditation” by Japan’s Daggy Busker is indeed a meditative, and well-crafted, wall of sounds. (I have…

Alpha Blondy - Revolution cover artwork. A photo of the landing on the moon with an astronaut and the American flag.

Album reviews

Alpha Blondy’s Revolution: An African Reggae Masterpiece

Joe Nash December 27, 2024 No Comments Alpha Blondy Reggae world music

Alpha Blondy – Revolution (Pathé, 1987) Alpha Blondy, the Ivory Coast’s reggae ambassador, delivered a seismic musical statement with his 1987 album, Revolution. This irresistible…

Where is the Mr. Bartender? by Pierre Hammar cover artwork. an illustration of a Jamaican bartender with a colorful sgirt and dradlocks leaning on a seaside bar. Looking at a sunset, surrounded by palm trees.

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Where is the Mr. Bartender? Asks Mr. Hammer

Tom Orr December 14, 2024 No Comments Mr. Hammer Pierre Hammar Reggae world music

Sure, reggae music is usually at its best when it’s full of spiritually or socially conscious attitude, but putting some fun into it is no…

Naya Rockers - Teach The Youths cover artwork. An illustration of planet earth with Jamaican colors.

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Forward-Thinking Reggae by Sister Nancy and Naya Rockers

Tom Orr December 12, 2024 No Comments Caribbean music Naya Rockers Reggae world music

Veteran reggae chanter Sister Nancy brings the right sort of common-sense wisdom to “Teach The Youths,” a musical lesson by America’s Naya Rockers. The message…