In 1985 when she first visited Jamaica as a teen, Ann Marie Keene fell in love with the island and its music.

The sounds of reggae music often blared in her home; after all, her mother was a musician whose musical tastes included the likes of Bob Marley, Harry Belafonte, Lionel Richie, Jimmy Cliff, Tina Turner and Peter Tosh.

Forty years after her initial visit, Keene packed up from her home in Minnesota in the United States and decided to plant roots in the community of Sherlock in Duhaney Park, Kingston 20. Her love for the community was instant, as she immersed herself into assisting residents, including budding entertainers.

“My love for reggae and dancehall comes from deep roots through my family and life experiences. My mom was a musician, and her side of the family were traveling musicians, so music was always in my blood. I grew up listening to music with soul and a message,” Keene told Observer Online on Friday.

“From early on at nine years of age I was in prison ministry with me family. We didn’t just serve the prisoners; we served their families too! We brought shelter, education, and love. So, I spend a lot of time in the inner city around the people and the struggle. I first came to Jamaica when I was 15 years of age, during a tough time in my life. From the moment I touch the island something connected in me spiritually,” said Keene.

She started up Castle of the Valley Productions, a music label where she has been working with Sherlock-based artistes including TuffHeart, Krvcial Ggod, Leanny Frass, Tenbrainz, Thugras and others.

“Castle of the Valley, it is less about stacking a roster and more about building real relationships and creating opportunities the right way. The label was started because of my nephew, Beckham Hardina. His fight for life showed us how fragile and how powerful life really is. Families need more than medicine, they need space to breathe, to heal, and to feel loved without judgment. “We’re building that through safe places, music, play, food, and water, lots of fresh water. Yah Man. Everyone has a seat at my table. We uplift the needy,” Keene reasoned.

After meeting recording artiste TuffHeart, Keene decided to put her efforts into his career and those of the emerging acts that she has within her circle.

“I went all in,”she said. I left my home in Minnesota and came to Jamaica with boots on the ground for the music and for the mission with TuffHeart. What started as a moment turned into a movement”.

When asked what it was about the artistes that made her decide to work with them, Keene said “It wasn’t just about the music. The talent is there of course, but what really stands out is how they show up for the people and the community – humans-to-humans. These artistes engage with their communities, the children, the elders, they are present, they give back, and they carry a certain spirit. That matters to me.  At Castle of the Valley, we’re building more than music. We’re building character, responsibility, and connection. So, I look for artistes who don’t just want to be heard, but who understand the impact they have and use it to uplift others.”

Keene added that, “Right now we’re building Castle of the Valley Nyabinghi Riddim called 8 Ball featuring eight artistes with an open platform for others to grow and be part of the movement. I’ve also written a riddim for the album myself, so it’s very hands on and from my heart.  So, for me, reggae and dancehall is more than sound; it’s people, it’s pain, it’s faith it’s joy.”

Keene has been very active in the Sherlock community.

“Sherlock is close to my heart. It’s about showing up and building real connections. We spend time with the kids and the elders, making sure people feel seen, supported and loved.  Every Wednesday we have movie night in the yard for the kids and the chef cooks for them. Pure joy and community. Saturday is Sherlock Saturdays with live music,” she shared.

“My philanthropic work started from early with me doing prison ministry as a child, serving not just inmates but their families with love, shelter and support. In Sherlock it’s about showing up consistently. The impact is real: the kids have a safe place, the community comes together, and people feel seen and valued,” said Keene.