There’s no place like home

Jamaica

AS I sit here at the end of my annual pilgrimage to Jamaica for my radio show, I am fully content. This is my happy place, and I say that unashamedly.

There is genuinely no place like Jamaica. It isn’t just the music, it’s the vibe, the hustle, the atmosphere, the people, the lifestyle and even the traffic This place is nothing but pure magic, and working in the manner that I do enhances that magic even further.

I’m a kid from White City in west London – I’ve spent my whole life engulfed by Jamaican culture and many of its values; values that I live by in day-to-day life and beyond. Over the years, the work I do on the radio and in other forums have allowed me to wave my aribbean flag very high – loudly – to all and sundry ranging from the festival of Glastonbury to the pages you are now reading. I live it for real, for real.

This trip started by being asked to be on the Island Music Conference which is curated by music entrepreneur Sharon Burke. She has helped shape the careers of artists such as Bounty Killer and Shaggy, and the latter was an integral part of this conference, too.

It’s hugely encouraging to see the structure and knowledge sharing becoming available to those at every level of the business. Shaggy told me there were areas of knowledge he wanted to make sure were on people’s radar, but even he learnt a thing or too from the conference. Representatives from YouTube, Pandora, Audiomack and many more were not only part of panels, but actively sat with enquiring audiences to look at developing their own pathways. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

Once the conference ended, it was time to don another hat, and work on my radio content.

This year the sessions had an added spice, as BBC Radio 1Xtra were gearing up for a special Dancehall Weekender, which will have taken place by the time you read this (jump on the BBC Sounds app to catch up on anything you may have missed).

My team and I concocted a series of shows that we feel perfectly showcase the Jamaican music scene in all of its glory. Some of it has been aired, some will be coming very soon (I can’t let the cat out of the bag fully absolutely seamless and some of the stories are pure gold (some of the ones off air are even more priceless I think he may have just carved out yet another lane for him to dominate in. The undisputed King of Lovers Rock oozed class and knowledge –as he always has done.

One of the highlights that was aired came February 26, and saw the legend that is Beres Hammond taking over the 1Xtra airways sitting in for another top man, David Rodigan. Uncle Beres is a wise and calming figure never rushed, never phased, and always smooooooooth in his delivery.

A section of that programme showcased the next generation

GOOD VIBES: Vibrations, Rasheed Hammond, The Wizard JA, Seani, Kais, producer and engineer Bulby York, and Medisun (photo: Bampson) of what the expectations are of music coming out of this camp, and if it doesn’t reach the mark it will not be released.

“We are taking our time to ensure that not only the music is correct, but the development of the artists take centre stage.”

He isn’t just saying that either. They are so polished, rehearsed and clean that the standard continues. It was like watching a baton pass from one runner to another, generationally, but without losing speed, quality or intensity.

ADDED SPICE: BBC Radio 1Xtra were gearing up for a special Dancehall Weekender during Seani’s visit (photo: Bampson)

I’ve been buying Beres Hammond records for as long as I can remember, and now my team and I were about to produce his first radio presentation no pressure Unsurprisingly, he took to it like a duck to water – it was of the Beres legacy – the Harmony House trio quartet of DJ and producer The Wizard, vocalist Medisun, Kais and Vibrations, who absolutely blew our minds.

Shaping and guiding the future is Beres’s son, Rasheed, who told us about the impetus behind the movement.

“Pops has set a platinum standard, we cannot let that slip in any way. We are aware

Rasheed tells me his father plays a very “hands on” role in the operation. “Dad is around us, advising, helping, giving encouragement, letting us know where we need to go and what we need to do – it’s amazing to have someone like that not only in your corner, but backing you 100 per cent.”

The evening that we spent with the Harmony House team, coupled with the evening recording with the Boss perfectly encapsulated Jamaica for me. Good vibes, good music and good people.

Like I said, there’s no place like home…