The Griot | Stories Roots Legacy

The full Alton Ellis story. Trenchtown 1938 to Hammersmith 2008. Federal, Studio One, Treasure Isle, Pama London, All-Tone Brixton. Three hundred recordings. The bridge from ska to reggae. The voice that outlived every contract. The godfather of rocksteady. Definitive single-sitting documentary.

Welcome to another compelling episode of Jamaican Gangster, where we dive into the complex world of true crime jamaica. This episode focuses on Christopher "Dogpaw" Linton and the events of October 11, 2021, in St. Andrew, shedding light on the challenges faced by jamaican people in dangerous countries. We explore the broader implications for jamaica news and caribbean culture, revealing stories o...

Series epilogue. The phrase underneath everything — "all is mine" — said by an industry to a generation that built a global music and rarely owned it. Alton's contracts ran out. His voice didn't. Cry Tough is still doing its work. Part 13. The voice that outlived every contract.

Explore the profound impact of life's smallest, most unexpected moments. This video delves into the philosophical idea of 'dividing moments' – those subtle shifts that fundamentally alter who we are, often without us realizing until much later. Have you ever looked back and realized a seemingly insignificant event changed your entire path? We're not talking about life's big milestones, but the qui...

Some doors, once opened, cannot be closed again, a profound thought that guides us through the complexities of personal growth. This video explores how such moments, much like an inspirational quote, highlight the significance of the choices we make. It’s a testament to resilience, reminding us that true improvement comes from confronting these shifts rather than avoiding them, shaping our mindset...

Series finale. He named the genre, trained the voices, and died with zero royalties. Part 12 walks the credit back to the source — Studio One, Treasure Isle, Brixton, the OD, the IRAWMA — and asks the question reggae still refuses to answer out loud: who named rocksteady?

Welcome to another episode of Jamaican Gangster, featuring Willie Haggart and the Black Roses crew. This episode highlights their influence as a dancehall empire that ran the streets of Kingston, showcasing their impact on the local scene. If you're interested in music discovery and the authentic sounds of the city, this is a must-watch.

Late summer 2008. Hammersmith Hospital. Lymphoma. Then he flew home to Jamaica and did one of the best shows of his life. On October 10, 2008, the Godfather of Rocksteady died at 70. Part 11 of the Reggae Dancehall Pioneers series holds space for the defiance, the diagnosis, and the dignified close.

This episode of Jamaican Gangster features Natty Morgan, set in the 1990s amidst political violence and poverty. The narrative appears to involve police drama and Natty Morgan's potential escape, with a call received by the police station in the evening. This crime investigation dives into the complexities of the Jamaican justice system.

The video opens with the arrival of "Friday," a concept that carries both anticipation and dread for different individuals. This narrative, reminiscent of a "scary story," explores the contrasting realities faced by people on the same island, under the same morning light. It touches upon the "dark truth" of how different people navigate the day, highlighting a compelling look at human experience.

On a quiet Saturday morning in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Robyna Caldwell walked into a supermarket with her fifteen year old son Cameron and never walked out. When the One Shot One Kill gang stormed the store and opened fire, seven people lost their lives. Robyna was one of them. Her son witnessed everything from behind a freezer in aisle seven. Three years passed. The case went cold. The man who pulled...

In 1994 Jamaica awarded Alton Ellis the Order of Distinction. By the 2000s he was on Hollywood Boulevard collecting a Lifetime Achievement Award. And on the road, Dennis Alcapone remembers, he stopped coming down for breakfast. Part 10 of the Reggae Dancehall Pioneers series is the reserve that hid the weight.

Father Clark shares profound insights, noting that some men conduct their most dangerous thinking in silence, having already made decisions. This episode explores the depths of "male psychology" and "masculinity", emphasizing a "power mindset" rooted in "stoic wisdom." It's a journey into "philosophy for men" that encourages deep contemplation and decisive action.

JAMAICAN GANGSTER: Copper — The Marksman Outlaw and the Great Kingston Shootouts Dennis “Copper” Barth was not just another name in Jamaica’s violent 1970s underworld. He became one of the island’s first true “most wanted” men — a cool, calculated marksman from Rennock Lodge whose reputation was built on prison escapes, bank robberies, deadly shootouts, and a protection network so loyal that no on...

By the late 1970s, Island Records and A&M Records were both talking to Alton Ellis. Both walked away. Meanwhile he was carrying a family of 20+ children on session fees and shop receipts. Part 9 of the Reggae Dancehall Pioneers series tells the chapter the cleaner biographies fold away.

The morning after always tells the truth, a stark realization captured in this new movie. This intense thriller explores the aftermath of a significant event, with the protagonist reflecting on the previous night's occurrences. The flat, honest morning light serves as a merciless backdrop to a compelling movie trailer, hinting at deeper secrets.

Welcome to another episode of Reggae Dancehall Pioneers, where we feature the legendary Ken Boothe! This video highlights his incredible journey, including his song that hit "number 1" on the UK charts in 1974, making a significant mark on "music history." His impact on "70s music" and the broader "british music" scene is undeniable, showcasing the vibrant sounds of "jamaica."

The night arrived, hot and wet, as Jamaican nights often do in November. This episode captures the essence of a tranquil, yet somber, atmosphere with soothing rain sounds. Let the ambient sounds and relaxing rain guide you to deep sleep, as we bring you a unique auditory experience.

In 1972 Alton Ellis moved to London and opened All-Tone Records in Brixton. Six years later, two teenagers rode his rhythm to UK number one with Uptown Top Ranking. He never saw the money. Part 8 of the Reggae Dancehall Pioneers series tells the story of the lifeboat he built — and the question that never left him.

In 1967, Alton Ellis cut a London single on Pama Records where he didn't sing — he rapped. Twelve years before Sugarhill Gang. Part 7 of the Reggae Dancehall Pioneers series tells the story of "The Message," the forgotten record that puts the Godfather of Rocksteady inside hip-hop's origin story.

Welcome to another episode of Jamaican Gangster, where we dive into a compelling true crime story focusing on the intricate dance between law enforcement and the legal system. This episode spotlights how the courts processed a significant case, bringing to light the challenges faced within a court show setting. Witness the pursuit of justice as we explore the complexities of the legal process.

The FBI called him the 510th most wanted man in America. Los Angeles called him a ghost. Jamaica called him Rambo. This is the true story of Marlon Jones — the Kingston-born enforcer whose name the federal government still cannot fully confirm.

In 1967 Kingston, while the Wailers met the rude boys with sympathy, Alton Ellis named them in his songs. "Don't Trouble People," "Dance Crasher," "Cry Tough" — line by line, he stood alone. Then Coxsone put him on a plane to London, where the Caribbean diaspora already knew every word.

From 1965 to 1968, one voice owned Jamaica. Part 5 traces Alton Ellis's Treasure Isle hit run — "Rock Steady," "Cry Tough," "Girl I've Got a Date," "I'm Still in Love with You" — the body of work the world would call Mr. Soul of Jamaica. And the man who collected on it all: Duke Reid.

Welcome to another episode of Jamaican Gangster, where we dive into the life of Robert Davis, known as Rodigan. This true crime story explores the impact of crime and loss in the community, shedding light on a compelling crime documentary. Join us as we piece together the narrative, offering true crime stories from the streets of Kingston.