Reggae-Hour | Reggae Interviews & History

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...

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. I...

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. LONG DESCRIPTION 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 responsi...

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 freedo...

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. Other...

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...

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 trul...

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. Listene...

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...

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 Ope...

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION 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...

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 r...

🎙️ 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 peo...