The night brimmed with raw, bold talent as up-and-coming reggae artistes Sydney “Sobah” Murray, Christopher “Chris Malachi” Morris, Adiel “King Diel” Thomas, and Zhayna “Zhayna” France showcased their potential. These rising stars hope to be Jamaica’s next generation of reggae performers, making their mark both locally and globally.

Each act showcased their unique contribution to the genre as the event brought together reggae enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, supporting and celebrating the island’s promising young talents.

“Reggae is constantly evolving, and it is important that spaces are created for us artistes to be heard,” explained King Diel, the organiser behind Future Reggae. “As someone who is working hard to establish myself in the reggae scene, I know first hand how difficult it can be to get the kind of platform that truly lets you shine. I have always felt like young artistes in reggae do not always get the recognition they deserve. That is what inspired me to create Future Reggae.

“Tonight was about creating that platform for us to elevate our music and take it to the next level. We will be having more of these showcases in the future to spotlight other up-and-coming artistes.” he added after the Saturday, December 21 event, at Johnny’s Place.

The Future Reggae Collective kicked off the evening with an electrifying opening performance of
No No No by Dawn Penn, setting the tone for the night. The fusion of musical notes energised the room, heightening the anticipation for the wave of individual performances to follow.

Sobah took the stage first, capturing the crowd’s attention with her unique blend of reggae and alternative sounds. Tracks like 10 Fry Dumpling, They Say, and Lovers Rock showcased her socially conscious lyrics and resonated deeply with the audience. Sobah, midway through her set, invited her father, Paul “Lymie” Murray, former lead singer of the legendary Skool Band, to join her on stage for a heartfelt father-daughter duet, which brought the crowd to their feet in appreciation.

Next, Chris Malachi brought a blend of reggae and gospel to the stage. His performance, which included tracks like Army of Light, Cool and Easy, and Tek On Street, balanced emotional depth with infectious melodies. His soft yet soulful vocals resonated with the crowd.

“I want my music to uplift people, inspire them to go after their purpose, and challenge them to think deeper about life,” the artiste explained. “I also want to see more reggae incorporated into reggae. The genre can evolve without losing its core values.”

King Diel followed, delivering a performance full of charm and passion. Known for his love-infused tracks, he brought the night to new heights with songs Pretty Little Melan in and Nostalgia. A special cameo by recording artiste Joby Jay, performing You Stole My Heart, added an extra spark to the set, with Diel’s smooth persona swept the ladies off their feet.

Zhayna capped off the night with her soulful delivery. Songs like Love and War All Christmas, Spend Some Time/Outside, and her latest single Attention left the audience captivated. Zhayna’s power on stage served as a reminder of reggae’s enduring ability to stir emotions and connect deeply with listeners.

“Reggae is about telling the truth and connecting with people’s souls. We need more love, more peace, and that is what I want my music to represent,” she expressed.

One patron, Daniel Adams, reflected on the evening: “The music tonight was everything I needed after a much-needed break from the work cycle. Each artiste brought something so fresh, yet still so deeply rooted in reggae.”

King Diel shared his vision for Future Reggae, a movement aimed at both celebrating the legacy of reggae and propelling it forward into new territories.

“On a local level, I want Future Reggae to show Jamaicans that reggae is in good hands. We have a new generation of artistes who are not just carrying the torch, but adding their own fuel to it and lighting up the scene. I want young people to feel proud of what reggae is becoming and to know that they have a place in it, whether they are listening or creating. On a global level, I am hoping that Future Reggae will help introduce the world to the fresh sounds coming out of Jamaica. We are not just about the past; we are about pushing reggae into the future,” affirmed King Diel.

Rising reggae artiste King Diel teams with recording artiste Jody Jay for a powerful performance of her hit song You Stole My Heart.

Midway through her set, Sobah’s father, Paul “Lymie” Murray, the former lead singer of the iconic Skool Band, joins her for a duet of Just The Two Of Us by Bill Withers that resonated deeply with the audience.