After years of touring and recording with A-list artists like Julian Marley, Roodby “Speedyking” Ligonde decided it was time to work on his own project. A series of recording sessions with Danny Breakenridge of Upstairs Music resulted in ‘Upstairs Percussions,’ his first album.

Released by the South Florida-based label in November 2024, the album showcases the veteran musician’s percussive expertise across 10 tracks.

‘Upstairs Percussions’, Speedyking explained, whetted his appetite for even more solo work. “By having to record and to have the privilege to work with some amazing people and produce Jah Jah music, it makes me wanna do more productions and all. I don’t only express myself but release some of the frequency in me. Like I said, there is more to come, that’s just the beginning and we are not ready to stop making Rastafari music,” he said.

For the past 10 years, Speedyking has recorded and toured with the Grammy-winning Marley. Referring to Julian as “a cool artist”, he played on the singer-songwriter’s 2019 Grammy-nominated album, ‘As I Am’. Speedyking can also be heard on ‘Colors of Royal’, Julian’s album with Antaeus, which won the 2024 Grammy for Best Reggae Album.

In mid-2023, the Haiti-born musician began working on his solo album which he describes as “pure roots-reggae, traditional reggae.” ‘Upstairs Percussions’ was released after years of Speedyking playing for high-profile acts such as Stephen Marley, Louie Culture and Betty Wright. The sessions with Breakenridge were fruitful.

International recording artist Mr. Vegas has dropped his latest studio project, ‘Ghetto Reggae’, available now on all major streaming platforms. Released August 29 under his own MV Music imprint, the 14-track album showcases both his versatility and vision.

While largely a solo effort, the record features Daddy U-Roy on “Call Tyrone,”Demelo on “My Enemies,” and Greentone on “One Praise.” True to its title, ‘Ghetto Reggae’ blends roots reggae with a wide range of sounds—dancehall, afrobeat, rhythm and blues, and even soca influences—reflecting the broad scope of Mr. Vegas’s artistry.

Themes stretch across the spectrum: lovers’ rock ballads, a ganja anthem, environmental awareness, spiritual inspiration, and pointed “bad mind” tracks. A standout moment comes with “Land of My Birth,”Mr. Vegas’s take on Eric Donaldson’s classic, which adds fresh depth to the album.

Thoughtful and well-produced, ‘Ghetto Reggae’ reaffirms Mr. Vegas’s place as one of Jamaica’s most dynamic artists. The album is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, iTunes, and more.