After receiving a Billboard plaque for his contribution to the Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica: The Reggae Collector’s Edition album, Ugandan producer Herbert Skillz says reggae music has gained more popularity on the continent.

“Reggae is played everywhere in Africa. The people in Africa love reggae music, and all worship Bob Marley — we were brought up on it,” he told the Jamaica Observer from the East African country.

“The plaque is amazing. I have been given other music awards but this one is special,” he added.

The plaque was earned for the compilation which hit the charts at number 16 in 2020. It had taken just six months to be completed and made its debut in 2018.

The Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica: The Reggae Collector’s Edition also charted on several iTunes charts globally, including in Ghana, and it also made the top 10 of the sales-driven US Current Reggae Albums chart.

Skillz had teamed up with Jamaican producer Sean “Contractor” Edwards. He said the collaboration was seamless.

“ I enjoyed working with Contractor. I respect his contribution to the music industry, and this album was his creation,” Skillz added.

The producer, who is the principal of Sound Makers Music, has worked with a line of Jamaican artistes, although he has never visited the island.

These include Sizzla Kalonji, Kevin Little, Orisha Sound, American rapper Tory Lanez (who is of Jamaican descent) and Maxi Priest.

Skillz is on his way to two decades in the music production business. According to him, this was always his passion and opted to pursue a degree in that field.

“I have been a producer for About 16 years and worked in several studios until I met my wife and then we started Sound Makers Music together in 2010. Sound Makers Music is our own label — we have two production studios in Uganda and one in my wife’s family’s house in the UK. I learnt music in the Church in Uganda, and then production; but have also studied sound engineering and mastering at Manchester Music School in the UK and also worked with a lot of UK and American producers on different projects so have picked up skills along the way,” he said.

The producer further hailed Bob Marley and Wayne Wonder.

“Bob Marley is a legend. I love his music — he was ahead of his time, and [I] love my brother Wayne Wonder as he is so talented and achieved so much but is still so nice and humble,” Skillz added.