Reggae-dancehall specialist Sizzla Kalonji has struck again! The Judgement Yard boss recently connected with fast-rising production team – Pandemic Records – for his now trending single: High Grade. Officially released in mid May, the lively dancehall tune is a nod to herbalists everywhere; and a shoutout to Kalonji‘s massive female fan-base.

Known for his roots music which is usually laced with messages about his Rastafarian faith, Sizzla, every so often, gives us a song that would be classified as out of character. High Grade is one such tune. It calls attention to his habitual marijuana use, and his overtly strong desire for the softer sex.

High Grade is one of seven tracks featured on the Passion Fruit Riddim, produced and published by Pandemic Records. In an unconventional method, the imprint has decided to release each song individually, as opposed to the full compilation all at once. That said, the track listing and release schedule is as follows: Sizzla and Ras Kronik on May 12th, Little Hero, Desi and Yahdeen Essence on June 30th, and finally, Capleton and Chillum on a date to be determined. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “HIGH GRADE”

On Friday, June 23rd, one of Jamaica’s most creative artists/producers, Perfect Giddimani, will release a brand new album, titled Ah Mi Yard. Produced by Andrew Moon Bain, Laurent Tippy Alfred, and David Goldfine, this is Giddimani‘s first full-length studio LP since his 2017 offering, Live My Life Again.

Ah Mi Yard has a total of fourteen tracks, and is a mix of original recordings and dub remakes. It will be shared by Zojak World Wide on the aforementioned date.

Inna De Yard‘s 2023 Summer Tour kicks off on June 17th at The Rue des Artistes Festival at Nelson Mandela Park in Saint-Chamond, France. The men will do approximately seventeen shows in Europe before wrapping up on August 19th.

Some of the cities they will be performing in are Paris, Rennes, Anvers, Sines, Surgeres, Rouen, Cologne etc. All dates and locations are available on their website.

King Bravel Lawn, in Exchange Plaza, St. Ann, will be filled with the energy and spirit of the late, great Dennis Brown on Saturday, July 1st, as the space will be used for his memorial celebration.

Purposefully planned for International Reggae Day, the all white affair will feature performances by Tenshon, Fred Locks, King Kong, George Nooks, Kiki Haynes, Dehdeh Blacks and others. Bess FM’s DJ Jacko, from King Jammy’s Sound, is also confirmed.

Show time is 10pm, and there is a $1,500 JMD entrance fee.

The Kansas City Reggae Music & Jerk Festival brings together diverse communities and enhances cross-cultural interaction while celebrating both music and food. It’s a three-day event that will run from Friday, June 30th to Sunday, July 2nd.

It will take place at Berkley River Front Park – 1298 River Front Drive – in Kansas City, Missouri. Confirmed performers include Etana, Queen Ifrica, Kenyatta Hill, Patricia Bowens, and that is just to name a few. Tickets are available via eventbrite.

Florida based recording artist Teacha Barnes is making his official entrance into the reggae industry with a bubbly reggae tune called Your Eyes. Co-produced by Wayne Armond of Chalice and Orville Marshall – president of My MM Productions – the song is released on the My MM Productions record label and distributed by VPAL, a subsidiary of VP Records. 
 
Barnes fell in love with reggae music the first time he heard it, recounting: “I was captured by the drum and bass vibes.” He really began embracing the genre in the summer of 1984, that’s when he started collecting records and tapes with songs by some of his favorite artists: Gregory Issacs, Dennis Brown, Super Cat, Steel Pulse, Sanchez and many more. However, when asked who influenced his sound and style the most, he said Steel Pulse and Sanchez.
 
Adam ‘Teacha’ Barnes, a teacher by profession, is always ready to do a gig once he steps out of the classroom. Now having signed to My MM Productions, he is fully focused on showing off his writing, singing and performing skills to the world. Your Eyes is only one of a few projects that will be released this year. It is now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and all other streaming platforms.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “YOUR EYES”