Launched in 1982, Rae Town Old Hits is the longest-running sound system session in Kingston, and probably the longest running in the world.
Peter Tosh Museum to Open this Summer
This summer, Kingston’s newest museum will open, honoring the late reggae legend Peter Tosh. An internationally renowned musician, social activist and advocate of the Rastafari religion, Tosh died at the age of 42 in 1987 during a tragic home invasion. A self-taught guitarist and keyboardist, he earned fame as a founding member of the Wailers band with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer. Together the three […]
Kingston’s Music Gains UNESCO Status
On December 12, 2015, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova announced the induction of 47 cities from 33 countries as new members of the UNESCO Creative Network. Cities such as Adelaide, Australia and Medellin, Colombia, were acknowledged for their work in one of seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music. Kingston was chosen as one of those cities for […]
Inside Jamaica’s Juilliard
You may not have heard of The Alpha Boys’ School in Kingston, but you’ve probably heard music that wouldn’t exist without it. Many great Reggae and Ska artists (such as reggae deejay Yellowman and legendary Ska group, the Skatalites) went to the esteemed music school. Another name you need to know? Sister Mary Ignatius Davis—the beloved nun who helped turn The Alpha Boys’ School (established […]
How Jamaican Songs Catch Fire
World’s biggest reggae fan? If you’ve never heard the term “sound system,” then we are sorry to break it to you, but you really don’t know Jamaican music at all. Not at its core. A sound system is, first of all, an object: a massive set of speakers stacked in the corner at just about every party in Jamaica. A good system will have the […]
Chronixx’s Epic New York Performance in Photos
Reggae star Chronixx recently performed to a sold out crowd in NYC, bringing the sweet vibes of Jamaica to Irving Plaza during Governor’s Ball. Outpostings was on the scene, documenting the night, and capturing some great moments both on and off the stage. The night began with a DJ set from Federation Sound, who played a bunch of crowd favorites. Then Chronixx arrived and, after meeting […]
The Best Party in Kingston
What began as a small, informal party in the hills of St. Andrew has now grown into one of the most important dub parties on the island. Every Sunday, hundreds make their way up the hill into what seems to be someone’s home—but what’s actually the best party in town. Behind the turntables is Gabre Selassie, an influential figure in the preservation and distribution of […]
Big in Japan: Dancehall Music
Dancehall music is a descendent and cousin of reggae, and it is often regarded as the direct predecessor to rap. In Jamaica and the West Indies dancehall is king, and has been since the 1970’s, but it’s reach, while garnering some international acclaim and recognition, has not infiltrated the world nearly as much as rap and hip-hop. It has grown in popularity in the US, UK […]
Meet The People Changing Jamaican Music
There’s a big revival of reggae music going on right now, both in Jamaica and around the world, and front and center is Suns of Dub. This group is the loudest champion of “dub,” a genre that grew out of reggae in the late 1960s and is typically lighter on the vocals, and heavier on the bass and drums. In the absence of lyrics, and […]
The Queen Of Jamaican Dancehall Signs
Driving around Jamaica you’ll begin to notice cardboard signs along the roads advertising upcoming concerts. They are colorful, often hand-painted and include quips like “yardie” or “foreigner link up.” These signs have personality: They aren’t just telling you about the latest party, or “bashment,” as Jamaicans like to say. They are expressing the rich cultural heritage of the Jamaican people. For decades, these dancehall signs […]