Happy Holidays!
As we usher in 2025, we take time to look back at the Reggae and Dancehall highlights from 2024.
10. Timeless Releases, Fresh Reissues
Throughout the year, some of Reggae and Dancehall’s most cherished releases made their way back into fans’ hands. Albums like Sizzla’s Black Woman & Child and Beres Hammond’s Just a Man were reissued, carrying with them the weight of their original release—the musical experimentation, the conviction of their lyrics—while feeling just as vital decades later. Fred Locks’ Black Star Liner also returned with its timeless message of freedom, Sister Nancy’s iconic “Bam Bam” was reissued on gold vinyl, and Travellers’ Black Black Minds brought the sweet harmonies of 1970s Kingston back to the fore through its re-release, earning an “Album of the Day” recognition from Bandcamp.
Eek-A-Mouse’s high-grade herb-runner anthem “Ganja Smuggling” reappeared as a limited 7-inch housed in a playful sleeve, Keith Hudson’s Pick a Dub marked its 50th anniversary with a stunning black ice vinyl edition, and Bob Marley’s “Mr. Chatterbox” made its long-awaited digital debut following a vinyl release on Record Store Day 2023. Together, these reissues offered a singular joy for fans and collectors alike, evoking the simple, irreplaceable magic of needle meeting wax.
9. Reggae and Dancehall Stars Go for Gold – and Platinum
This year, Reggae and Dancehall continued proving their global reach, one certification at a time. Hits both established and new found their place in the spotlight, solidifying their hold on fans across generations. YG Marley’s “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” went Platinum in the U.S., selling over 1 million units in under a year—a remarkable feat in any genre. In the U.K., Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh” went 2x Platinum, while Spice earned her first certification there with “So Mi Like It,” which also went Gold in Canada.
Wayne Wonder’s “No Letting Go” secured Platinum in the U.K., a reflection of its lasting popularity. Sean Paul added to his illustrious career with Gold certifications for “We Be Burnin” and “I’m Still In Love With You,” and a Platinum nod for The Trinity. Each milestone wasn’t just a win for the artists but a reaffirmation of Reggae and Dancehall’s ability to transcend boundaries and remain deeply relevant to listeners across the globe.
8. 45 Years of VP Records and More Anniversaries
As Reggae and Dancehall continue to move forward, 2024 offered moments to pause and reflect on the Music’s journey so far. This year marks 55 years since Randy’s Record Mart opened its legendary Kingston studio, a space that shaped some of the most iconic moments in Jamaican music. VP Records, continuing the legacy that began in the island’s capital, celebrated 45 years of sharing Caribbean music and culture with audiences worldwide.
There were anniversaries for albums, too, and each one reminded us of the music’s timeless power. Johnny Osbourne’s Water Pumping and Yellowman’s Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt turned 40. Augustus Pablo’s Original Rockers and Gregory Isaacs’ Soon Forward hit 45. Max Romeo’s Every Man Ought to Know reached its 50th year. More recent classics—like Morgan Heritage’s Don’t Haffi Dread, Tanya Stephens’ Gangsta Blues, and Queen Ifrica’s Montego Bay—celebrated 25, 20, and 15 years, respectively. These albums proved their staying power, sounding just as fresh now as they did when they were first released, with their legacies only growing stronger with time.
7. The Year of The Gentle Man
This year, Romain Virgo committed himself fully to taking his music and performances to the next level. The release of his album The Gentle Man on March 1 was followed by his inclusion in Grammy.com’s list of artists shaping Reggae today, as well as being named Male Reggae Artist of the Year at the Caribbean Music Awards. He performed to packed audiences on two nights at Brooklyn’s Crown Hill Theatre and connected with fans at shows across Jamaica, the U.S., and Europe. At VP Records’ Record Store Day in Queens, he embraced the roots of Dancehall with an intimate sound system session that proved to be a hit among fans. It’s a year that reminded us of Romain’s range and dedication to his craft.
6. Vybz Kartel Returns to a Transformed Dancehall Scene
In August, Vybz Kartel’s return to freedom after 13 years took the Dancehall world by storm, with the hitmaker reentering a scene transformed by fresh talent and evolving sounds.
There were traces of the familiar, however: Rvssian kicked the year off by reviving the “Go Go Club” riddim as the “Dutty Money” riddim, producing bangers like Nigy Boy’s “Continent,” Rajah Wild’s “Go Go,” Jada Kingdom’s “What’s Up” and more.
Elsewhere, Pablo YG’s debut EP Rich N Richer and subsequent Canada tour, Malie Donn’s chart-topping project The Grand Rising, and Jahvillani’s BBC Radio 1Xtra freestyle underscored their growth, while Intence delivered hits like “SHH” and “Like U.” Armanii’s DJ Mac-produced “Fiesta” became a breakout and Stalk Ashley came through for the ladies with her “Stalky the Bratt” debut, while Soun Bwoii, Nhance, Ai Milly, and Skippa established themselves as artists to watch.
Meanwhile, Shenseea, Masicka, and Teejay pushed their global ambitions with new projects. With so much talent rising and thriving, the genre’s future looks promising.
5. Greensleeves Records Puts the Community First
This year, Greensleeves Records made major moves, hosting Reggae sessions across the UK and growing their Instagram community to over 100,000 strong. Greensleeves Hi-Fi brought legends like Eek-A-Mouse, Yellowman, Macka B, and Addis Pablo to the Jazz Café, while events at Tate Modern and Reggae Land offered their distinctive brand of musical entertainment to even larger crowds. Intimate sessions at Jumbi, Rough Trade, and the Independent Label Market were equally electric. Then, on November 29, the label released King Jammy’s Unites the Nations with Dub LP, with the legendary Waterhouse producer bringing his signature touch to the mixing desk to deliver a fresh set of hard-hitting dubs, uniting listeners worldwide.
4. Fan-Favorite Tracks Return – With a Twist
In 2024, several Reggae and Dancehall tracks were reintroduced with a few key updates. Beres Hammond’s “Let Me Help You” (May 3) breathed new life into his 1988 classic, while Shaggy transformed Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes’ “Gunman” riddim into the “Badman” riddim (Aug. 22), featuring Olaf Blackwood’s “Selector Pull It” and Junior Cat’s “Rude Bwoy Sumthin’.” Spice brought fiery energy to it with “Sitt’n Fi Chat” (Sept. 12), and Sean Paul revamped Dave Kelly’s “Showtime”riddim with Tarrus Riley, J’Calm, and Buju Banton (Nov. 8).
Producers like Rvssian and NotNice brought back more recent riddims, letting loose jugglings of the “Dutty Money” and “Street Vybz 2.0” riddims, respectively. Elsewhere, multiplatinum artist Kehlani incorporated Cordel “Skatta” Burrell’s “Coolie Dance” riddim into her smash hit “After Hours,” produced by Lionel Birmingham and Elijah Wells, while Nesta sampled Gyptian’s “Hold You” for his self-produced single, “Outside.”
3. Reggae and Dancehall: On Screen, in Soundtracks, and Beyond
In 2024, Reggae and Dancehall’s influence radiated far and wide. The Bob Marley biopic One Love captivated global audiences, while Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story paid tribute to one of Dancehall’s trailblazers. Documentaries like Sounds & Pressure explored Reggae’s roots in Toronto, and From Kingston, Jamaica to Jamaica, Queens traced the genre’s global journey through festival screenings.
The use of Reggae and Dancehall in soundtracks didn’t stop there: Sizzla’s “Just One of Those Days” featured in the Netflix series Starting 5; Tarrus Riley’s “She’s Royal,” Ce’Cile’s “Respect Yuh Wife,” and Tony Matterhorn’s “Dutty Wine” appearing in Hulu’s Queenie; and Lady Saw’s “I’ve Got Your Man” in Hulu’s How to Die Alone.
Looking beyond TV and Film, exhibits honored the greats, from the Bunny “Striker” Lee Museum in Kingston to the Lee ‘Scratch Perry’ exhibit in Zurich and Peter Simon’s Reggae Bloodlines at VP Records in Queens. And on the literary front, John Masouri’s Pressure Drop and updated editions of David Corio’s The Black Chord and David Katz’s Solid Foundation provided fresh insight into the Music’s history and legacy. Across media and platforms, the year emphasized how powerful Reggae and Dancehall’s cultural influence remains.
2. Reggae and Dancehall Tour the World
Reggae and Dancehall artists brought their energy to stages across the globe in 2024. Jah9 blended music and wellness on her first-ever Japan tour, performing in Tokyo, Kobe, and Osaka. Alborosie and the Shengen Clan took their Legendary Tour across Europe, South America, and Africa, with Jamaican roots band F.Y.A.H. supporting them in the U.S. Christopher Martin broke barriers as the first Reggae artist to close the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, while Romain Virgo delivered stirring performances across the U.S., Europe, and Jamaica.
Morgan Heritage headlined NYC’s Central Park SummerStage, sharing an emotional tribute to Peetah Morgan, and Buju Banton packed U.S. venues like UBS Arena and Barclays Center. The Welcome to Jamrock Cruise set sail once again while Protoje’s second annual Lost in Time Festival in Kingston continued to provide a major platform to artists on home soil.
Meanwhile, sound system culture thrived. World Bash, organized by Irish & Chin, united fans from the U.S. to the U.K. and Canada. In Brooklyn and Kingston, Red Bull Culture Clash ignited crowds with its raw energy, the kind that only sound systems can summon. At Notting Hill Carnival, Rampage filled the streets with music, while the mighty Channel One Sound System, marking 45 years in the culture, delivered a trademark performance at the Carnival before taking their legacy across the Atlantic with shows in the U.S. and Canada.
1. Reggae and Dancehall Trailblazers Get Their Flowers
This year, Reggae and Dancehall legends were celebrated in style. On Jamaica’s Independence Day (Aug. 6), Prime Minister Andrew Holness presented the Reggae Icon Award to Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Third World, and Patricia ‘Miss Pat’ Chin, honoring their unmatched contributions to Jamaican music. Later in Queens, New York (Aug. 29), Sean Paul was awarded the Entertainer’s Key to the City for his musical contributions to New York City.
The celebrations didn’t stop there. At the Caribbean Music Awards (Aug. 31), Shaggy presented Marcia Griffiths with a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Cedella Marley was honored with the Legacy Award for preserving her family’s cultural heritage. On Jamaican Heroes Day (Oct. 21), Bounty Killer and Beenie Man were honored once again, joined by Nadine Sutherland and Admiral Bailey, as all four received the national Order of Distinction for their contributions to the Music.
In November, World Bash (Nov. 29) in New York, organized by Irish & Chin, turned the spotlight on sound system culture. Four kings were crowned for their lasting influence: Glamour Wayne of Gemini Disco, Rory of Stone Love, Sky Juice of Metro Media, and Jagga B of Afrique Soundstation. These moments celebrated the trailblazers who’ve shaped the music we know and love today.