Reggae Hour | Reggae Interviews, History & Culture

One year after his first appearance on Reggae Hour, Kwalyti returns with a renewed sense of purpose, deeper maturity, and one of his most meaningful songs to date.

In this exclusive conversation, we go beyond the music to explore the journey behind "Light In Me," a powerful Gospel Reggae anthem that has touched listeners around the world with its message of hope, perseverance, and spiritual resilience.

Kwalyti reflects on the growth ...

Nearly two years after his first appearance on Reggae Hour, conscious reggae artist Redeemm returns for one of his most thought-provoking conversations yet.

This episode explores much more than music.

Redeemm reflects on the journey since Key for Caged Minds, introduces his upcoming single Talk Truth, and discusses why reggae remains a vehicle for education, history, and social awareness.

Together we examine:

• Jamaica's recovery after...

Some conversations become part of reggae history.

In this heartfelt episode of the Reggae Hour Podcast, producer, bandleader, and Reggae Powerhouse Band founder Leroy Scarlett returns to celebrate the release of Reggae Powerhouse Band & Friends Series 2 while sharing decades of wisdom gathered from a lifetime devoted to reggae music.

Rather than simply discussing a new album, Leroy reflects on preserving reggae's cultural foundat...

Watch the full Young Garvey interview on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/O3AgEOMMgRE

Read the Young Garvey feature article on Reggae Hour:

https://www.reggaehour.com/2026/07/fabian-findley-young-garvey-carrying.html

What happens when music becomes more than entertainment?

In this episode of the Reggae Hour Podcast, conscious reggae artist Young Garvey shares the personal journey that shaped both his music and his mission. From his childhood i...

What happens when an artist values purpose over popularity?

In this special Reggae Hour conversation, Jamaican roots reggae artist Kleva Roots joins us for a powerful discussion about music, spirituality, discipline, and the responsibility of conscious artists in today's world.

Rather than chasing trends, Kleva explains why every song should become another "building block" in a legacy that uplifts people instead of simply entertainin...

Celebrate International Reggae Day with a powerful conversation featuring South African reggae artist Don Dada (Menelik Nesta Gibbons) on Reggae Hour.

In this inspiring interview, Don Dada reflects on his journey from Forward We Continue to his SAMA32 Best Reggae Album nomination while sharing powerful insights on mentoring young artists, creating opportunities for women in music, preserving African identity, building communities, a...

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 beca...

What does it mean to be Proud To Be Black in today's world?

In this special Reggae Hour Podcast conversation recorded during International Reggae Day, Mr. E sits down with Jamaican-born, Toronto-based reggae artist Iyagrade for a wide-ranging discussion about identity, conscious music, reggae culture, the African diaspora, resilience, and why artists have a responsibility to leave a legacy.

Iyagrade shares the deeper meaning behind h...

Freedom was won.

But what happens next?

Mr. E, Judah Lion, and Zionya explore Juneteenth, liberation, culture, history, and the responsibility we owe future generations.

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Freedom was won.

But what happens next?

In this special Juneteenth 2026 edition of Reggae Hour, Mr. E, Judah Lion, and Zionya take listeners on a journey through history, culture, identity, community, and responsibility.

Through thoughtful discussion, hum...

History does not live in books alone.

It lives in memory.

It lives in culture.

And sometimes, it lives in music.

In Season 2 Episode 5, Mr. E and Zionya travel back to a pivotal moment in Jamaican history to explore the rise of ska—the energetic, optimistic sound that laid the foundation for rocksteady, reggae, and everything that followed.

As Jamaica moved toward independence, questions of freedom, identity, dignity, and self-det...

For decades, roots reggae carried messages of spirituality, resistance, African identity, justice, and liberation.

Artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Burning Spear used music as education, healing, and cultural preservation.

But as Jamaica changed, the music changed too.

Dancehall emerged with new rhythms, new energy, and a new voice for a new generation.

Some say reggae lost its soul.

Others believe dancehall is simply reggae evo...

Technology is advancing faster than ever.

Artificial intelligence is changing how people work, learn, communicate, and even remember.

But beneath every technological revolution lies a deeper question:

What happens when humanity becomes secondary to efficiency?

In Season 2 Episode 3, Mr. E and Zionya explore the relationship between dignity, historical memory, identity, and technology.

This is not a conversation about gadgets.

It is a con...

eason 2 continues with one of the most important conversations Reggae Hour has ever had.

After the response to our discussion on the African roots of reggae, listeners from around the world shared their thoughts, questions, agreements, and disagreements. In this episode, Mr. E and Zionya return to the reasoning circle to examine those responses and explore a deeper question:

Where does reggae truly come from—and why does that a...

Reggae is not a sound that suddenly appeared.

It is the result of generations of cultural memory carried across oceans, transformed through struggle, adaptation, and creativity.

In this Origins episode, Reggae Hour explores the historical journey from Africa to Jamaica, tracing the development of mento, ska, rocksteady, and reggae while examining the influences that helped shape the music.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of...

What happens when reggae carries a message?

In this Reggae Hour Archives interview, Bascom X joins Mr. E for a thoughtful conversation about reggae music, cultural responsibility, mentorship, and the role artists play in shaping society.

Topics include:

• The story behind "Bad Boy"

• Growing up in Jamaican music culture

• Mentoring Gyptian

• Reggae vs. Dancehall

• Why message music matters

• Artist development

• Authenticity in music

• The f...

Reggae artist Anthony Cruz joins Mr. E on Reggae Hour for a conversation about music, creativity, longevity, and staying true to reggae culture.

Known for songs like Heartbreak Anniversary and Leave The Door Open, Anthony discusses his musical journey, inspirations, industry experiences, and what continues to motivate him as an artist.

Topics include:

• Heartbreak Anniversary

• Leave The Door Open

• Reggae music and authenticity

• Buildi...

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Jamaican recording artist Althea Hewitt joins Mr. E on Reggae Hour for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, songwriting, perseverance, family, and the journey of a life dedicated to music.

In this archive interview, Althea discusses her song "You're The Only One," her album Moving Forward, the challenges artists faced during the COVID era, and the importance of staying inspired even when success feels far a...

Aaron Silk joins Reggae Hour for a thoughtful conversation about purpose, positivity, music, and carrying forward a powerful legacy.

Reflecting on the influence of his brother Garnet Silk, Aaron shares how music became a vehicle for encouragement, faith, and service to the people. He discusses the responsibility that comes with a voice, the importance of remaining humble, and why positive energy remains central to his message.

Topics...

🎙️ REGGAE HOUR ARCHIVE

In this powerful conversation, Blazem shares his journey into Rastafari, the influence of the Bobo Shanti order, and the responsibility of creating conscious reggae music in today's world.

Guided by Rastafari principles since the age of fourteen, Blazem reflects on spirituality, discipline, righteousness, and the role reggae music plays in educating and uplifting the people.

Topics include:

• Rastafari as a way ...