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The Kenyan Reggae Artist Turning Life's Struggles into Songs of Hope By Zionya | Reggae Hour Podcast Every meaningful reggae story begins long before the first song is written. Sometimes it begins with hard work. Sometimes it begins with disappointment. And sometimes it begins with a person refusing to allow life's setbacks to become the final chapter of their story. That is what makes the journey of Bismart Official , also known as Bismart Kenya , so compelling. Known off stage as Renson Bosco , he represents a generation of African artists who understand that reggae is more than entertainment. It is a language of hope, resilience, reflection, and community. His story is not built around fame or flashy headlines. Instead, it is rooted in discipline, perseverance, honest work, and the courage to begin again after life takes an unexpected turn. For listeners searching for music that carries both heart and purpose, Bismart Official is building a path that deser...

Reggae Hour Artist Spotlight From Kingston roots and hard-earned resilience to independent label ownership and an anticipated new album, Young Garvey is building a reggae career grounded in authenticity, purpose, and positive storytelling. Young Garvey brings conscious reggae and uplifting energy to the stage. Live Interview Watch Young Garvey on Reggae Hour Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET Watch on the Reggae Hour YouTube Channel From Kingston to the World Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, Fabian Findley—better known to reggae fans as Young Garvey —developed an appreciation for music long before stepping onto a stage. Born on March 17, 1980 , he was raised by his mother alongside two sisters in a family where music was woven into everyday life. One of his earliest influences came from his aunt, a member of the renowned Jamaican gospel group The Grace Thrillers . Hearing powerful harmonies and inspirational songs from an ea...

Imar Shephard: From St. Thomas to the World Jamaica has long produced artists whose voices carry more than melody; they carry history, resilience, faith, and hope. One of the voices continuing that tradition is Imar Shephard , a singer-songwriter from Cedar Valley in St. Thomas whose music blends roots reggae, lovers rock, and contemporary reggae with heartfelt storytelling. Reggae Hour is honored to welcome Imar Shephard for an upcoming exclusive interview where we will explore the experiences, inspirations, and journey behind his growing catalog of music. Growing Up in St. Thomas Born and raised in Cedar Valley, St. Thomas, Jamaica, Imar's musical journey began through church and community performances. Those early experiences helped shape a voice rooted in authenticity and a message centered on positivity, perseverance, and faith. After relocating to Kingston, he continued developing his craft, performing with the touring band Crucial before establishing himself as a sol...

“This is Redeemm, and I’m here to give you the key to your caged mind.” For Jamaican reggae artist, songwriter, educator and social commentator Redeemm , music is not simply entertainment. It is a vessel for information, spiritual nourishment, historical awareness and mental liberation. Born Earle Morrison in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica, Redeemm has built his artistic identity around one central purpose: awakening people mentally, spiritually, culturally and historically. On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM Jamaica Time , Redeemm joins Reggae Hour for an exclusive interview about his life, his music, his twelve-track album Key for Caged Minds , and his mission to use reggae as a tool for education and freedom. Reggae Hour Exclusive Interview Guest: Redeemm Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Time: 12:00 PM Jamaica Time Watch: Reggae Hour From Spanish Town to a Life of Service Redeemm was born on December 12, 1976, and grew up between Tred...

 Leroy Scarlett Returns to Reggae Hour | Reggae Powerhouse Band & Friends Series 2 Some conversations deserve another chapter. For Reggae Hour, welcoming Leroy Scarlett back is not simply another interview. It is an opportunity to continue documenting a journey that has helped shape reggae music across generations. As producer, bandleader, and founder of Reggae Powerhouse Band , Leroy Scarlett has spent decades working alongside respected voices in reggae while remaining committed to preserving the music's history, spirit, and foundation. Now he returns to Reggae Hour to celebrate Reggae Powerhouse Band & Friends Series 2 , a project that continues his lifelong mission of honoring reggae's legacy through music, memory, and meaningful collaboration. Join the live interview on Wednesday, July 8 at 1:00 PM Jamaica Time at ReggaeHour.com . [IMAGE: Leroy Scarlett live interview hero] A Lifetime Behind the Music Many reggae fans know the legendary voices. Fe...

Some interviews begin before the first question is asked. They begin in the pause. In the silence between what the public has been told and what someone finally decides to say out loud. That is where this one sits. On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Reggae Hour welcomes Anthony Brightly of Black Slate for a conversation that already feels heavier than a normal artist interview. Not because of hype. Not because of a manufactured headline. But because Anthony has promised to bring something serious to the table. He says he has devastating news connected to International Reggae Day . And when a man from a band like Black Slate says that, you do not rush past it. The Weight Behind the Name Black Slate is not just a name from a record shelf. It is part of the British roots reggae story, part of the sound that carried Caribbean memory through London streets, dance halls, community rooms, pirate radio, and family gatherings where the bassline did more than entertain. It remind...

  International Reggae Day 2026 Countdown — Day 10 Tomorrow, the world celebrates more than music. It celebrates a movement. For ten days, we've traveled through the remarkable story of reggae—from the sound systems of Kingston and the birth of ska, through roots reggae, Rastafari, studio innovators, dancehall, and the artists carrying the torch today. Every chapter has led to this moment. International Reggae Day. A day when millions of people across continents celebrate the music, the message, and the culture that Jamaica shared with the world. One Island. One Global Family. Reggae may have been born in Jamaica, but its heartbeat now echoes across every continent. On International Reggae Day, radio stations, festivals, community groups, musicians, educators, and fans come together to celebrate a music that continues to inspire unity, justice, peace, and cultural pride. Whether you're listening in Kingston... Dancing in Lagos... Teaching in London... Celebrating ...

 The Reggae Revival: A New Generation Carries the Torch For more than half a century, reggae has inspired movements, crossed borders, and given a voice to generations seeking hope, justice, and unity. With every passing decade, one question always returns: Who will carry reggae forward? The answer has never been found in a single artist. It lives within every generation willing to honor the music's roots while speaking to the world in its own voice. The twenty-first century introduced a remarkable new wave of musicians who embraced reggae's timeless message while creating music for a new audience. They didn't imitate the pioneers. They built upon the foundation. Together, they became known as The Reggae Revival . A New Chapter Begins By the early 2010s, reggae found itself at another crossroads. Dancehall continued evolving, global collaborations multiplied, and streaming transformed how audiences discovered music. Yet many listeners longed for the conscious sto...

International Reggae Day Special: Catching Up with Don Dada on Reggae Hour Celebrating Reggae, Africa, and a Global Journey of Conscious Music Every year on International Reggae Day , music lovers across the globe celebrate a genre that has transcended borders, languages, and cultures. Born in Jamaica, reggae has become a universal language of resistance, unity, spirituality, and hope. This year, Reggae Hour is proud to celebrate the occasion by welcoming back one of Africa's most influential reggae voices— Menelik Nesta Gibbons , better known worldwide as Don Dada . This isn't a first introduction. It's a reunion. Over the years, Don Dada has become more than a guest on Reggae Hour. He has become a friend of the program, sharing his musical journey, his vision for African reggae, and his unwavering commitment to conscious music. Our upcoming conversation continues that story as we reflect on another remarkable chapter in his career. A Landmark Year for Don Dada The past y...