Celebrating Jamaican Independence Day with Reggae Music in Philly

On August 6th, Jamaica celebrated its independence after being under British control for over 300 years. To honor this special occasion, local artists of Jamaican heritage came together at the WXPN Studios in Philadelphia to dive into reggae music and its powerful messages.

In a lively chat, Balmour, Dan Goode, Fredrick “FredGenivs” Guthrie, and Othneil Chambers Sr. discussed the three main themes that reggae music consistently focuses on: Love, God, and Revolution. They explained how these themes show up in reggae songs and why the genre is an excellent way to express these important subjects.

The artists also shared their personal ties to Jamaica, talking about their parents and relatives who still live on the island. It was a heartfelt conversation about the influence reggae has had on their lives and their music.

Bassist Dylan Hannah joined the group for some live performances, covering three reggae classics that reflect the themes they discussed. The artists beautifully sang “She’s Royal” by Tarrus Riley, “Hear My Cry Oh Lord” by Marvia Providence, and “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley, filling the studio with vibrant reggae vibes as they celebrated Jamaican Independence Day.