Jamaican singer, songwriter and record producer Derrick Harriott has died at the age of 87, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the development of ska, rocksteady and reggae music. He reportedly passed away at his home in Kingston on October 24, 2026.

Harriott began his musical journey as a member of the vocal group The Jiving Juniors before establishing himself as a solo artiste and influential producer. Through his Crystal Records label, he worked with several notable Jamaican artistes, including Dennis Brown, Keith & Tex and The Kingstonians. His own recordings, including “The Loser” and “Solomon,” also secured his place in Jamaica’s musical history.

Beyond his work as a recording artiste and producer, Harriott operated a record shop that served generations of music lovers and collectors. In recognition of his contributions to Jamaican music, he received the Order of Distinction in 2009 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association in 2019.

His passing marks the loss of a pioneering figure whose work helped shape Jamaica’s musical landscape and carried its sound to audiences around the world. His recordings and contributions to the industry will continue to be celebrated by generations to come.

Duane Stephenson is set to bring his soulful roots melodies to South America for a three-city tour across Brazil in late 2026. Organized by Riddim The Agency, the brief tour spans late November through early December.

The tour kicks off on Saturday, November 28, in Salvador, Bahia, at the massive República do Reggae Festival. Hosted at WET Eventos, the gathering is widely recognized as the largest reggae festival in Latin America. Gates open at 6:00 PM, and Stephenson is slated to deliver a dual-purpose performance, treating the massive crowd to his own solo classics before leading a special tribute set dedicated to the legendary “Cool Ruler,” Gregory Isaacs. He shares the festival’s heavy-hitting billing with prominent international and Brazilian acts, including Alpha Blondy, Groundation, Jah9, and Johnny Clarke.

Following the massive festival atmosphere in Salvador, Stephenson shifts to more focused, double-bill theater environments. On Thursday, December 3, 2026, he travels south to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, to headline the Reggae no Parque Festival at the historic Auditório Araújo Vianna. Located inside Farroupilha Park, the indoor auditorium opens its doors at 7:30 PM with showtime beginning at 9:00 PM. For this engagement, Stephenson shares the stage with Californian roots-reggae band Groundation, who are performing a specialized tribute to Bob Marley.

The mini-tour concludes the following evening, Friday, December 4, 2026, in the coastal city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. The final stop, billed as the Floripa Soul Reggae Sessions, takes place at John Bull, a premium live music venue renowned for its intimate club atmosphere. Stephenson will team up once again with Groundation for a final night of collaborative energy, capping off a definitive week of roots music for Brazilian reggae enthusiasts.

Reggae icon Macka B has joined forces with Grammy-winning producer and musician Jazzwad on “Water,” a new single out today, October 23, 2026, via Chinelo Records. The track pairs Macka B’s clever, health-minded lyrics with a production built entirely from the natural sounds of water, creating an informative track that acknowledges the importance of drinking water.

Macka B has built a loyal following through viral freestyles, especially his Medical Mondays and Wha Me Eat Wednesdays series, turning health and wellness themes into catchy, memorable music. On “Water,” his skillful wordplay meets Jazzwad’s inventive production, with the instrumental constructed around the sound of dripping water.

An official music video, also released on October 23, premiered on Macka B’s YouTube channel. Filmed at Grosvenor Road Studio in Handsworth, Birmingham, the video features Macka B and Jazzwad working together in the studio as they bring the track to life, accompanied by a mascot representing water.

Produced by Macka B and Jazzwad and mixed by Dickie Delamix, “Water” is now available on all streaming platforms, and the video can be viewed on Macka B‘s YouTube channel.

The Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC) will host its 38th Annual Fundraising Gala on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel. This event gathers community leaders, philanthropists, and supporters to raise vital funds for healthcare, education, and development initiatives in Jamaica.

The evening features a full itinerary starting with a cocktail hour at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner at 8:00 PM. Highlighting the night’s entertainment is a live performance by acclaimed reggae soul artist Ginjah, alongside music from the Island Passion Band and DJ Nigel. Miss World Caribbean 2017, Solange Sinclair, will serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.

Tickets are available at $150 for general admission and $175 per person for VIP tables. Out-of-town guests can access a special hotel lodging rate of $160 plus tax. For tickets and event inquiries, organizers can be reached directly at 310-415-0542.