Established producer Kemar “Flava” McGregor is using the momentum surrounding his latest release, the Kiss Of Judas Riddim, to spark conversation about the current direction of Jamaican music and the role he and his creative colleagues play in shaping its future.

Released on May 8 through Billboard King Records, the Kiss Of Judas Riddim has already been making waves internationally, reportedly racking up more than 500,000 Spotify streams within days while also securing the number one position on the iTunes Reggae Albums chart.

It also got to number one on the All Genres chart on that same platform.

Built around themes of betrayal, loyalty, survival, envy and spiritual warfare, the project takes inspiration from the biblical story of Judas Iscariot. The title and artwork reflect the social commentary behind the compilation while balancing hardcore dancehall energy with conscious messages designed to connect with a global audience.

The riddim features a diverse lineup of local and international talent, including Rick Ross, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Etana, I-Octane, Turbulence, Ginjah, Honorebel, I-Noble, Fyastige, Jay A, Prodigal Son, Zed Regal, Ghandi and Slimey Mojo, among others.

For McGregor, however, the project is more than the sum of its commercial success so far. Lamenting that he’s tired of talented producers regurgitating lewdness for a slice of fame, the producer said his riddim was intentionally crafted to remind younger producers that Jamaican music can still thrive internationally without sacrificing substance and positive messages.

“I produced this project to show these new producers that Jamaican producers can still produce good music with morals and values. I’m tired of all these songs that they’re putting out promoting social decadence and immorality,” he said. “The success of this project is proof that the world is still hungry for good dancehall music. These young producers need to stop the nonsense and start producing music that will resonate with the international marketplace.”

Since its release, songs from the project have continued gaining traction across streaming platforms, playlists and social media, with listeners praising both the production quality and lyrical depth.

For McGregor, the Kiss Of Judas Riddim ultimately serves as part of a larger mission to help guide reggae and dancehall back toward music rooted in substance, cultural value and international appeal.