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Producer-turned-artist, Dre Island channels real life experiences and prayer to create music that resonates for today and tomorrow. We discuss his upbringing, shaped by classical piano, Stone Love sound system nights, gospel harmonies, and the distilled “top ten” diet of Jamaica’s radio that trained his ear for greatness.

Dre flows in between sharing his own stories to the inspiration that surrounds him, his poignant care in storytelling shows not just in his music, but through conversation. We discuss his popular collaboration “We Pray” with Popcaan including the bold choice to leak the record and let the people decide. Dre explains how visuals amplified the story months later, his debut album "Now I Rise" released in 2020 showcased his versatility and growth as an artist.

Dre shares why positive music grows slowly and lasts longer, and how he avoids dating his catalog so each song feels brand new to first-time listeners years down the road. He shares studio tales behind “Nice Again” and “Situation,” where a beat built for someone else and a real-life phone call turned into records that balance melody, DJ cadence, and clean, modern production. Along the way, he nods to mentors like Buju Banton and breaks down tasteful sampling that honors the source while speaking to today.

At the heart of it all is love—learned at home, witnessed in community, and now channeled into an upcoming project devoted to spiritual and romantic uplift. We talk about staying focused in a noisy era, adapting promotion from radio to social without chasing gimmicks, and building live culture in Connecticut with family-friendly events like Reggae and the Rice and Rubber Dub Fridays.

If you care about timeless songwriting, authentic storytelling, and the evolution of reggae in the age of streaming and social media, this conversation will light a fire.

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We welcome the Paradise Plum, Naomi Cowan back to unpack the heart behind her debut album, Welcome To Paradise. Inside the studio with producer Toddla T and co-writers like Runkus, she found a collaborative space where her vision held, her pen stayed sharp, and the sound fused lover’s rock warmth, subtle dancehall undertones, and modern storytelling. We dig into the album’s cohesive arc, the intimate interludes featuring her parents, and how family history roots the record in a lineage you can hear.

Paradise isn’t a place on a brochure; it’s a feeling you experience through community, love, and the music that carries you there. Naomi shares how portraying music legend Marcia Griffiths in the Bob Marley biopic re-centered her commitment to making a fully reggae album, free from trend-chasing and built for longevity.

The conversation turns to a deep introspection love—romantic, communal, and self-directed. Naomi shares her perspective on how today's culture treats independence as a badge of honor without the context of its potential isolation. She makes the case that partnership is a spiritual practice, that real growth requires letting others in, and that reggae remains a living vessel for these truths.

We also celebrate the sisterhood rising in reggae with artists like Sevana, Jaz Elise and Lila Iké, showing how authenticity dissolves competition and strengthens the scene. Along the way, Naomi opens up about performing the new songs, balancing album promotion with relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa, and why this project is meant to grow on human time, not algorithm time.

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Two voices, one legacy, and a catalog that ignites dancehall to tek it to the dance floor every time their songs are played. In this episode I sit down with dancehall group Voicemail to unpack the spontaneous birth of their name, the unlikely path from R&B harmonies to dancehall dominance, and the creative spark behind "Weddy Time"—guided by producer Danny Champagne and inspired by Bogle’s dance moves. What follows is a rare, candid look at joy, grief, and the unbreakable thread that ties performers to fans across decades.

Kevyn and Qraig take us inside the shift from five members to three, then to the duo we know today, revealing how they rebuilt their sound without losing the heart that made them. They share why Japan became a second home for their music, how a structured rollout amplified their reach, and the practical playbook young artists need now: align with the right partners, think beyond a small home market, and let quality lead because value attracts opportunity. We also discuss dancehall in the digital age—how constant access dissolved mystery, why playlists weakened artist-fan bonds, and what it takes to rebuild real community that lasts.

There’s humor, vulnerability, and plenty of hard-earned wisdom: setting boundaries with love, crafting solo projects, Qraig with Me And Di Gal Dem and Kevyn with SKILLVCHI under the Voicemail banner, and remembering to celebrate the wins instead of sprinting past them. If you care about dancehall culture, artist longevity, or the craft of connecting with an audience in a crowded world, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention.

If this moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves dancehall, and leave a review telling us your favorite Voicemail track and why—it helps more listeners find conversations like this.

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The 2025 Caribbean Music Awards makes its television debut on BET, and we're breaking down every moment from our dual perspective as both live attendees and television viewers. This milestone broadcast marks a crucial step forward in recognizing Caribbean artists on mainstream platforms, delivering a carefully edited showcase of Caribbean excellence.

Dyschick joins me to compare our in-person experience at Brooklyn's King's Theater with the television broadcast, revealing what made the cut and what didn't. We dive into standout performances, particularly praising the energetic opening from Elephant Man and Ding Dong, and the dynamic staging of Full Blown, Machel & Ayetian and Good Spirits that transformed the stage into a Caribbean block party. Busta Rhymes' powerful acceptance speech emerges as a highlight, perfectly articulating why Brooklyn during Labor Day weekend serves as the ideal backdrop for celebrating Caribbean musical achievement.

Fashion takes center stage in our conversation as we celebrate the stunning looks that graced the red carpet. From Nyla Blackman's elegant dress paired with a carnival-inspired backpack to Lady Lava's structured ensemble, Caribbean artists showcased their distinctive style.

Looking toward future ceremonies, we advocate for broader representation across the entire Caribbean, including more French and Spanish-speaking artists, enhanced production values, and stronger participation from sponsors, particularly Caribbean tourism boards and brands who should recognize these musicians as their most powerful cultural ambassadors. Join us for this celebratory yet thoughtful analysis of a landmark moment for Caribbean music on the global stage.

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Resilience defines Tifa's journey through the music industry, and her return to the Style and Vibes podcast after five years showcases an artist who has not only survived but thrived through evolution. We discuss changes that have shaped her career since we last spoke—from navigating a global pandemic to celebrating a Grammy win with Kabaka Pyramid, and finding her voice again with her powerful new single "I Want a Man."

We dive into Tifa's writing process as she explains how her songwriting has remained remarkably consistent since age 15. Rather than writing solely from personal experience, she crafts stories from observations, emotions, and the collective experiences of women, creating music that resonates far beyond typical dancehall themes. "I Want a Man" exemplifies this approach, the song became a voice for women navigating complex relationship dynamics and societal expectations.

Her triumphant performance at Alkaline's New Rules Concert marked a definitive statement about her enduring relevance in Jamaica's music landscape. Despite industry attempts to sideline her, 15,000 fans singing her lyrics word-for-word confirmed what she's always known—authentic artistry outlasts social media manipulation.

As she maps out her future with multiple albums spanning different genres, Tifa's vision extends beyond personal success to contributing to the legacy of Caribbean artists who have achieved international recognition.

What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Tifa's candid reflections on the value of stepping back. In an industry that demands constant visibility, her strategic break allowed her to reconnect with herself, relearn the evolving social media landscape, and fall in love with music again. For anyone feeling burned out or seeking reinvention, her journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom about balancing authenticity with strategic evolution.

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What does it mean to truly connect cultures through music? GabSoul, the self-described "eclectic selector," offers powerful insights into this question as she shares her journey from basement parties to international stages.

Growing up between Trinidadian and Guyanese heritage in New York, GabSoul absorbed musical traditions from her DJ father's extensive record collection while developing an instinctive understanding of party dynamics from attending gatherings since her early teens. Despite initially being told "girls don't DJ," she found inspiration in emerging female DJs during college and eventually convinced her father to share his technical knowledge.

The conversation explores what makes GabSoul's approach distinctive—her ability to blend genres seamlessly, creating musical journeys that reveal connections between Caribbean sounds, R&B, soul, and various African diaspora traditions. She articulates how combining technical precision with feminine intuition creates a unique energy, allowing her to take risks that more traditional DJs might avoid. "I love anything soulful with a good groove," she explains, describing how she connects disparate genres to tell stories through her sets.

Beyond her technical skills, GabSoul's community-building initiatives stand out. Through events like "We Ting," "Auntie's House," and "Riddim and Soul," she creates spaces that embody Caribbean hospitality while celebrating music that often gets overlooked in mainstream venues. These platforms serve her deeper mission of helping people connect with cultural heritage while breaking down artificial barriers between diaspora communities.

We discuss GabSoul's reflection on her purpose: "To spread love and be an example of love." As she navigates the music industry with spiritual grounding rather than purely transactional relationships, she offers wisdom about staying present, practicing gratitude, and remembering that authenticity isn't something to strive for, but is something already in our possession if we're brave enough to embrace it.

Listen now to discover how music can bridge worlds while staying true to its roots, and why sometimes the most powerful selector is the one who remembers why we gather to celebrate sound in the first place.

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Konshens returns to the Style & Vibes podcast to reveal the perfect timing behind his fifth studio album "Pool Party." Following the viral "Back That Azz Up" freestyle he seized the momentum for an album where the songs were complete, but not fully compiled into a project. We discuss the importance of embracing the moment and staying prepared in the music industry.

The inspiration behind the album, in such turbulent times? Konshens explains how watching the news during his creative process made him realize he didn't want to add to listeners' burdens. "I don't want to be the person that come and remind you that your life is stressful," he shares with refreshing honesty. Instead, he created "Pool Party" as a therapeutic music release with the same healing energy that classic dancehall has always provided.

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Hector Roots Lewis shares the fascinating path that led him from being a touring drummer to emerging as a compelling reggae solo artist. Born to a recording artist mother, Lewis was immersed in music from his earliest days, eventually studying at Jamaica's prestigious Edna Manley College before embarking on an extensive touring career with Chronixx Zinc Fence Redemption band that spanned over a decade.

Lewis opens up about the transformative experience of portraying Carlton Barrett in the "Bob Marley: One Love" film, revealing how stepping into the legendary drummer's shoes deepened his understanding of Bob Marley's revolutionary approach to music and business. "Bob is our overall inspiration," Lewis reflects, explaining how Marley's unwavering purpose and bravery in breaking new ground have profoundly shaped his own artistic vision.

The conversation takes a particularly illuminating turn when Lewis discusses his new album "Cosmic Roots," a collaboration with producer Johnny Cosmic that represents a significant evolution in his sound. Unlike previous projects, Lewis played multiple instruments throughout the recording process, bringing his percussionist expertise to the forefront while crafting songs that flow intentionally from introspective reflections on pandemic isolation to celebratory expressions of Jamaican party culture.

Highlighting tracks like "Peace of Mind" and "Strength" and it's intentional connecting with listeners navigating their own challenges. His thoughtful approach to crafting not just songs but complete musical experiences reveals why Lewis has successfully made the leap from supporting player to compelling frontman worthy of a proppa listen.

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