For more than five decades, Anthony Brightly has dedicated his life to reggae music. During our International Reggae Day conversation, he posed a series of questions that have echoed throughout the reggae community:
What is International Reggae Day really about?
Who owns reggae?
Who controls reggae music today?
Has Jamaica remained at the center of its own cultural creation, or has something been lost along the way?
Those questions became the foundation of this special Reggae Hour podcast.
Host Mr. E, together with Zionya and Judah Lion, reflects on the conversations recorded during International Reggae Day with artists and cultural ambassadors from around the world.
Featuring insights from:
• Anthony Brightly (Black Slate) — 54 years in reggae, challenging us to remember what reggae truly represents.
• Don Dada (Menelik Nesta Gibbons) — discussing mentorship, artist ownership, Pan-African unity, and refusing to trade one master for another.
• Iyagrade — reflecting on identity, Black pride, diaspora responsibility, and why reggae must remain rooted while reaching the world.
• Kleva Roots — sharing the importance of conscious music, spiritual vibration, and preserving reggae as a cultural lighthouse.
• Leroy Scarlett — continuing the conversation on reggae's legacy, community, and where the movement goes from here.
This is not simply a celebration of International Reggae Day.
It is a conversation about cultural memory.
A conversation about ownership.
A conversation about responsibility.
And perhaps most importantly...
A conversation about whether reggae's future is still in the hands of the people who created it.
Featured Interviews & Articles
Anthony Brightly (Black Slate)
https://www.reggaehour.com/2026/07/anthony-brightly-of-black-slate-is.html
Don Dada (Menelik Nesta Gibbons)
https://www.reggaehour.com/2026/06/international-reggae-day-special.html
Iyagrade Interview
https://www.youtube.com/live/xi6HfRU074Q?si=y9Q5gE0cstBdWyrp
Kleva Roots Interview
https://www.youtube.com/live/akDrxtIpgFU?si=ZgpndaCkWPVMnZtb
Leroy Scarlett Returns to Reggae Hour
https://www.reggaehour.com/2026/07/leroy-scarlett-returns-to-reggae-hour.html
Read More at Reggae Hour
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🎙️ More interviews, reggae history, artist features, and cultural documentaries are published regularly on Reggae Hour.
Join the Conversation
What does International Reggae Day mean to you?
Who owns reggae?
Can a culture remain authentic while becoming global?
Leave your thoughts in the comments and become part of the Reggae Hour archive.
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about reggae history, Rastafari, Africa, Black cultural memory, and conscious music, be sure to follow, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who loves reggae.
One Love.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
🍍 Enjoy the Good Vibes
Whether you're listening to your favorite reggae playlist, spending time with friends, or celebrating International Reggae Day, Good Feels offers cannabis-infused beverages and related products for adults where legally available.
Reggae Hour Community Offer
Use promo code REGGAEHR on eligible purchases through our affiliate partner.
Shop: https://shop.getgoodfeels.com
For adults 21 years of age or older where permitted by law. Please consume responsibly. Effects may vary by individual.
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Preserving the voices, stories, and reasoning that continue to shape reggae culture.
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One Love.
