The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, announces the upcoming Reggae Gold Awards and the 2026 Jamaica Music Museum Hall of Fame Induction. This prestigious Reggae Month event takes place on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the National Arena within the National Stadium Complex. Commencing at 7:30 p.m., the evening honors the rich legacy of Jamaican music by inducting legendary crooner Ken Boothe into the Hall of Fame. Admission to this cultural celebration is free to the public.

The ceremony features an extraordinary live performance by Luciano, who will be joined by the Reggae Symphony Orchestra and the Megahband. This unique musical collaboration will be under the expert guidance of conductor Peter Ashbourne and band leader Michael “Megabass” Fletcher. Adding an international flair to the festivities, the event will also showcase Kawa, a reggae band visiting from China.

Attendees can anticipate a diverse lineup of talent throughout the night, with scheduled appearances by Etana, Richie Stephens, and Chris Malachi, alongside many other celebrated artistes. The event is made possible through the support of several key partners, including Wray & Nephew, CHASE Fund, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the Universal Service Fund, and CPTC Productions. 

Reggae recording artist Mr. Cool has released his new single “All Those Lies”, which became available on major streaming platforms on February 7, 2026, via his independent label You & I Productions. 

Rooted in conscious reggae, “All Those Lies” explores challenges affecting the Rastafarian community, including misinformation, declining morality, and mental oppression. The inspiration for the song came during a TikTok Live session when a viewer encouraged Mr. Cool to create music focused on guiding and uplifting young people, an idea that later evolved into the finished record written approximately six months ago.

Mr. Cool also addressed the ongoing social pressures faced by members of the Rastafarian community, noting that restrictions and misunderstandings have long existed due to their spiritual beliefs and stance against systemic structures. Through this release, he aims to spark dialogue.

The single was self-produced by Mr. Cool, whose given name is Dave Clarke. Musical contributions include Coptic Dennis Reeves on strings and Isax on saxophone, while Benero Benny Dyer handled all additional instrumentation on keyboards. Background vocals were delivered by Rosie, who is also known for her work with veteran reggae singer Sanchez.

Through “All Those Lies,”Mr. Cool hopes listeners will recognize the importance of balanced parenting and the role both mother and father play in shaping the lives of their children.

2Cuz Production is proud to announce the official release of “Diff-Er-Ent Riddim,” a soul-stirring seven-track reggae compilation that showcases the versatility of some of the genre’s most respected voices. Now available on all major streaming platforms as of January 30, 2026, the compilation features an elite lineup including Busy Signal, Capleton, Mia Taylor, Darrio, Qraig Voicemail, and Jah Thunder.

A standout moment on the project comes from dancehall veteran BusySignal, who reveals a more melodic, roots side of his artistry on the track “Horizon.” The song serves as a powerful tribute of love and appreciation for the Most High, marking a distinct departure from his typical high-energy style. Complementing this spiritual energy is the legendary Capleton, who delivers the defiant and uplifting “My Shine,” a track centered on his unstoppable spirit and resilience.

The compilation also delves deeply into the theme of love through various lenses. Qraig Voicemail offers the romantic “Love of a Lifetime,” a dedicated serenade to his partner, while Mia Taylor captures the ache of longing in her soulful contribution, “Missing You.”Darrio adds to the melodic charm of the album with “Take It Slow,” a smooth love song that perfectly matches the rhythm’s steady pace. Expanding on the concept of affection, Jah Thunder’s “Found Love” explores the multifaceted nature of devotion, addressing both romantic partners and spiritual faith.

In addition to the vocal performances, 2Cuz Production has included the “Diff-Er-Ent Riddim” instrumental as a standalone track, allowing listeners to fully appreciate the craftsmanship behind the production. The full compilation is currently available for streaming and download worldwide.

Beloved roots Rastafarian reggae singer Winston “Flags” Smith has, through his management team, finalized a new distribution partnership with VPal Music. The agreement will see the established music distributor exclusively releasing a series of recordings by Flags.

Following detailed discussions with producer Patrick Quest, who now oversees the production of Smith’s recordings, both VPal Music and the artist’s team have confirmed a slate of four releases for this month. On February 20, “Independent Woman” and “Kiss You Once” will arrive, followed by “Rolling Down The Highway” and “You Turn Me On” on February 27.

The selected titles reflect themes well suited to both Reggae Month and the romantic atmosphere surrounding Valentine’s Day.