With over two decades in the music business, Jade Style at BBC Radio 1Xtra is a champion for Reggae and Dancehall at the station. Her knowledge of music is bolstered by her growth at the BBC – having worked on multiple shows specializing in genres such as Reggae, Dancehall, Soca and Hip-Hop.
Planet Reggae caught up with Jade Style to talk about her career and more.
VP: How did you get your break in the music business?
JS: I was working at BBC Radio London as a ‘runner’ on the speech shows (Alice Beer, Robert Elms) Then used my time off and evenings to sit quietly in the back of the studio for Rampage (Hip-Hop, RnB), Smokey Joe (Soca) and Miss P (Reggae / Dancehall). Reggae and Dancehall has always been my go to genre for as long as I can remember. Miss P was such a vibe, I ended up being her studio producer with the help of Ray Paul BBC London’s Executive; he was head hunted to start BBC Radio 1Xtra and I was brought over to ‘help’ develop the network. I have worked my way up the ladder and am now 1xtra’s Music Editor.
VP: What do you enjoy about working at BBC 1Xtra?
JS: BBC 1xtra feels like my first child. Seeing something grow from such early beginnings is special. BBC 1Xtra was the first of its’ kind being a national radio station supporting black music at its core; we still pride ourselves on this – 22 years later.
VP: What are your top 3 Dancehall tracks of all time and why?
JS: Barrington Levy ft Cutty Ranks – Dancehall Rock (great party starter, gets all ages up and dancing together), Luciano – Sweep Over My Soul (always makes me smile) and Buju Banton’s Destiny (I always listen to this before I go into a challenging situation, interview, difficult conversation etc.)
VP: Which Dancehall artists are on your radar for 2024?
JS: Skeeke (1Xtra has crowned him our ‘Hot for 2024’), RahWild (Seani B called me from the airport on his way home from Jamaica last year, telling me about an artist I need to be on) and Byron Messia. I’m so happy 1xtra managed to record a Live Lounge when he was over; his track has should go down in history as the biggest song of the summer of 2023.
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