Reggae Lover

The pandemic has affected both reggae and dancehall artists in more ways than one - we either have people shelving their releases or see artists putting out as much as possible to see if they can make a hit.

That is why, in this episode, we decided to talk to Diego Herrera, Music Curator and Programmer, about Staying Power in Reggae and Dancehall and the changes we’re observing in the same today.

For as long as he can remember, Diego has loved music. His interest in different musical genres led to a career working for streaming giant Pandora as their Reggae and Caribbean Music Curator and Programmer, creating playlists and stations for over 50 million streamers.

Here are a few of the takeaways on Staying Power from Diego - 

● Quality and not quantity is all that should matter to artists.

● It would be best to consider an artist’s versatility while deciding the staying power - having that versatility helps you stand out and survive the onslaught of all the releases and noise. 

● One hit song is all it takes to get you to the top of the artist’s community.

● It helps to have a team around you and to be positive.

Here’s a few artists mentioned in the episode!

Bounty Killer

Rodney Basil Price is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay. AllMusic describes him as "one of the most aggressive dancehall stars of the '90s, a street-tough rude boy with an unrepentant flair for gun talk". He is considered one of the best dancehall lyricists of all time.

Sizzla

Miguel Orlando Collins is a Jamaican reggae recording artist. He is one of the most commercially and critically successful contemporary reggae artists and is noted for his high number of releases.

Vybz Kartel

Adidja Azim Palmer is a Jamaican reggae dancehall recording artist, composer, record producer, and entrepreneur.

Sean Paul 

Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques OD is a Jamaican rapper, singer, and record producer who is regarded as one of the genre's most prolific artists.

Popcaan

Andre Hugh Sutherland is a Jamaican deejay, singer, and songwriter from the parish of St. Thomas.

Buju Banton

Mark Anthony Myrie is a Jamaican reggae dancehall recording artist. He is widely considered one of the most significant and well-regarded artists in Jamaican music.

Spice

Grace Latoya Hamilton is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Referred to as the "Queen of Dancehall", Spice is recognized as one of the most prominent dancehall artists in the world.

Cardi B

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar is an American rapper and actress.

Protoje

Oje Ken Ollivierre is a contemporary reggae singer and songwriter from Jamaica.

Jeremy Harding

Jeremy Harding is a Jamaican musician, producer, and engineer. He was the manager for Jamaican reggae artist Sean Paul until 2011. He also produced for artists Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Tanto Metro and Devonte.

Demarco

Collin Demar Edwards is a Jamaican dancehall and reggae recording artist

Charly Black 

Desmond Méndez is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer, selector, and singjay.

Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, actress, fashion designer, and businesswoman.

Connect with Us!

Our Website

Connect with Diego Herrera!

 Diego’s LinkedIn

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Reggae Lover Podcast episode with Kahlil Wonda and AGARD listing their Top Five Selectors in Soundclash history.

Jamaicans have reached different parts of the world, generating a sensation with our music, and let me tell you what, Jamaicans get chart love.

Singers like Sean Paul, Shaggy, Sean Kingston, Carl Douglas, and many others have put Jamaica's name rising above with their music. In 2015 an article published by the Billboard Hot 100 positioned these artists as the audience favorites, not only in Jamaica but also internationally. But not everything has to do with artists. Jamaican producers also shine with their talent producing big hits inside and outside the country.

In this episode, we will talk to you about artists, producers, and the economic problems existing in the music world. Is everybody receiving their part of the revenues? Find out in today's episode.

SUMMARY

• Tyshane Thompson co-wrote "Having Our Way" with Drake and debuts at 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

• "CULTURE III" by Migos and "Jordi" by Maroon 5 albums feature Jamaican producers.

• Artists need millions of streams to make a good profit.

• Pandora paid Pharrell Williams just $ 6300 for 105 million plays, which says a lot about the music industry's current state.

• Some of the artists who defined reggae culture were the Marley family, Freddie McGregor's family, and Shaggy. You'll always see the same people on the charts over and over.

• The current population of Jamaica is 2,974,880.

• Producers prefer to work with recognized artists than locals.

• In the United States, there is a higher profit margin for producers than in Jamaica.

• On the creative side, music needs to diversify.

• Currently, in the music industry, there are legal loopholes in copyrights.

• Jamaicans performing on Billboard Top 100 international charts include:

1. Carl Douglas - Kung fu fighting.
2. Shaggy - It wasn't me.
3. Sean Paul - Temperature and Get Busy.
4. Sean Kingston - Beautiful Girl and You Owe Me One.
5. Omi - Cheerleader

QUOTABLES

• "Artist, be true to yourself but, you have to understand this is also a business."

• "Labels they're not gonna work with people who are gonna be wasting their time."

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• Pandora Paid Pharrell Just $6300 For 105 Million “Happy” Plays

• "CULTURE III" by Migos and "Jordi" by Maroon 5 feature Jamaican producers.

Season 8 opens with an overdue Top 5 list from the Reggae Lover hosts - their Top 5 Dancehall Sound Systems of All Time.

We discuss the criteria used in selecting these top reggae sounds aka DJ teams. These lists include juggling sounds, clash sounds, Jamaican-based sounds, "Foreign" sounds, foundation/rub-a-dub sounds, and all-purpose sound systems. Respect goes out to all the Jamaican Sound Systems out there and of course all the fans.

During this analysis the need for a separate top selectors list became apparent. Look out for that topic to be covered in-depth during a separate upcoming episode. Also, moving forward we will be adding the video format so look out for links to those shows on our Youtube channel.

Mentioned in this discussion: Downbeat The Ruler, LP International, King Addies, Stone Love Movement, Killamanjaro, Bass Odyssey, Kozmik Movements, Studio One, Stur Mars, Mighty Crown, Highlanda Sound, King AP, King Stur Gav, Afrique, King Jammys.

A continuation of the historical episode in which we described the foundation of Highlanda Sound. This part of the conversation recaps our first gigs and the years that followed.

In the late '90s, the three young lions that started Highlanda Sound vowed to become one of the most dangerous sound systems that played mostly 45s. 

They committed to learning and practicing the arts of selecting and juggling in the dancehall arena. They set out to bring a different level of energy to the scene in Atlanta. They prided themselves on being versatile enough to entertain any type of crowd.

They accomplished all that and more. Listen to the evolution that led to this podcast.

Reggae Lover hosts, AGARD and Kahlil Wonda take time out to re-introduce themselves. They discuss who they are, where they come from, and how they got into the music industry. Part 1 of this "flashback" conversation.

The first guest appearance by Nick, Jamaican State of Mind podcast host. The Reggae Lover crew reminisces about the most trendsetting decade, the 90s. But why do we love the 90s so much?

A replay of a classic focusing on the Best Non-Jamaican Reggae Artists.

This Reggae Lover Podcast Episode (118) highlights the global reggae phenomenon. R.I.P to Akae Beka.

Listen to the full mix here.

Kahlil Wonda and AGARD share their personal TOP 5 Albums of All Time. These selections are not limited to reggae. This is the final new episode of Reggae Lover season 7.

Kahlil Wonda and AGARD discuss what they are listening to and how they are listening to it. Top song selections for the Summer of 2021 are listed.