To commemorate the life and legacy of the late Crown Prince of Reggae, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, will host a special gathering at National Heroes Park.

This event marks the 69th anniversary of the birthday of the legendary Dennis E. Brown, CD. Members of the public are welcome to join the celebration as the nation honors one of its most influential musical icons in a dignified atmosphere of remembrance.

Scheduled for February 1, 2026, the tribute will begin at 3:00 p.m. and serves as a major highlight of the Reggae Month calendar. The ceremony will feature live performances from renowned artists who shared deep musical ties with the late singer. Attendees can expect soul-stirring contributions from the Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, Binghistra Movement, and the acclaimed saxophonist Dean Fraser.

In The Mood, the six-track collaborative EP by Hopeton Lindo and Fiona, has been officially reissued and distributed by Zojak Worldwide. Originally released to strong acclaim, the project returns due to continued popular demand.

The EP features the standout tracks “Guilty” and “In Your Eyes,” both of which topped charts in New York and South Florida, establishing the duo as a formidable musical pairing. Lindo produced four of the six tracks under his Irie Pen Records imprint, while “In Your Eyes” and the title track “In The Mood,” both written by Lindo, were produced by Taxi/One Pop Records.

In The Mood also includes carefully selected covers, among them a soulful interpretation of the Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo classic “You Don’t Have to Be A Star,” and a smooth lovers rock rendition of “Yes I’m Ready,” originally recorded by Barbara Mason.

According to Lindo, the collaboration with Fiona was built on a strong musical connection that extended to the musicians involved in the project. The EP features contributions from legendary drum and bass duo Sly and Robbie, alongside respected guitarists Willie Lindo and Paul Gauntlett.

“The chemistry between Fiona and I comes naturally,” said Lindo. “The vibes between the musicians and producers on this project are great. We’re all professionals and good friends who respect each other.”

That chemistry is evident from the opening track, “You Don’t Have to Be A Star.” Veteran sound system selector Andre ‘Waggy Tee’ Chue Sang suggested the duo add a Jamaican flavour to the Grammy Award-winning classic, a recommendation that resulted in a refreshing and well-received reinterpretation.

Fiona echoed Lindo’s sentiments, noting that their shared musical philosophy played a key role in the project’s success. “The chemistry is automatic because our love for music guides everything—from lyrics to content—especially when we’re thinking about our fans and what they want,” she said.

Lindo, who has written and co-written reggae and dancehall classics such as “Red Rose for Gregory,” “Champion Lover,” “Wanna Be Loved,” and “Telephone Love,” emphasized the importance of melody in any musical undertaking.

“Good melodies are very important,” he added. “That’s what catches the listener’s ear first and makes them want to sing along, and as one of my mentors and co-producer of this project the great Sly Dunbar would say, ‘the right groove in the production and final mix is extremely crucial for that hit factor’”

In The Mood is now available for streaming and download across all major digital platforms.

Roots reggae artist Xana Romeo released her new album, The Divine Blueprint, on January 9, 2026, via Charmax Music, delivering a deeply personal and spiritually grounded body of work. The album stands as both a new chapter in her musical journey and a heartfelt tribute to her late father, legendary reggae icon Max Romeo, whose influence on roots reggae and conscious music remains globally revered.

Widely known for classics that helped define reggae’s political and cultural voice, Max Romeo’s legacy is honored throughout The Divine Blueprint, not only in spirit and message, but also through direct musical connection. His presence on the album underscores the project’s central themes of lineage, responsibility, and cultural continuity, while reinforcing Xana Romeo’s role as a torchbearer for roots reggae’s enduring message.

The Divine Blueprint features contributions from respected reggae artists and producers including Addis Pablo, Lutan Fyah, Micah Shemaiah, Jallanzo, and Azizzi Romeo. Together, they help create a work that is reflective, purposeful, and grounded in reggae tradition.

In addition to the main album, a companion dub project titled The Divine Dub was also released, presenting instrumental and dub-focused interpretations that highlight the album’s production depth and sonic craftsmanship.

The Divine Blueprint is available now on all major digital streaming platforms and in vinyl format.

The 45th Annual Tribute to the Reggae Legends, also known as Bob Marley Day, will take place on February 20 and 21, 2026, at the WorldBeat Center in San Diego, California. This two-day celebration continues a long-standing tradition of honoring the enduring legacy and global impact of reggae music and its pioneers.

Founded by Prophet World Beat Productions, the annual tribute was established in honor of Bob Marley and his profound contribution to music and culture. The WorldBeat Center remains committed to preserving and promoting the legacy of reggae icons such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh through cultural programming and live performance.

The 2026 edition will feature an impressive lineup of international and regional artists. On Friday, February 20, performances will include Julian Marley and the Uprising, Johnny Osbourne with the Fully Fullwood Band, Mara Sulu, and Pinnacle Roots. Saturday, February 21, will showcase King Yellowman, Johnny Clarke, Reemah, Ranking Joe, The Cables, the Fully Fullwood Band, Quinto Sol, and additional performers.

Held at the WorldBeat Center, which is located at 2100 Park Boulevard in San Diego, the 45th Tribute to the Reggae Legends promises two days of roots music and culture. Click here for tickets.

Jamaican music has lost one of its most influential architects with the passing of Lowell “Sly” Dunbar, who died on January 26, 2026, at the age of 73. Widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers in reggae history, Sly Dunbar helped shape the sound of Jamaican music for more than five decades.

Born in Kingston, Sly rose to prominence in the early 1970s and went on to form the legendary rhythm duo Sly & Robbie with bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Together, they became one of the most prolific and innovative partnerships in global music, defining the rockers rhythm and pushing reggae, dub, and dancehall into new creative territory through their Taxi Records label.

Sly Dunbar’s influence reached far beyond Jamaica. His unmistakable drum patterns powered recordings by artists such as Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Bob Dylan, and countless others, earning him multiple Grammy Awards and international acclaim. Even in pop and contemporary music, his rhythms continued to resonate with new generations of listeners.

With Sly Dunbar’s passing, the world remembers a pioneer whose work carried Jamaican sound to every corner of the globe. His legacy lives on in the rhythms that continue to inspire musicians and audiences alike.