Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Jimmy Magnum had a front row seat to the weekly dances his Jamaican brother-in-law kept in Ontario, Canada. Those sessions introduced him to dancehall music, and he has been hooked to the genre since.

The deejay — who has visited Jamaica three times — is eager to emulate his heroes, like Shabba Ranks and Super Cat, by making songs that resonate with a hardcore dancehall crowd. His latest song is After Midnight, produced by EMCE.

“To get a hit single in Jamaica would be a dream come true, because I have so much love and respect for Jamaica and the culture,” he told Observer Online. “To have a hit single in Jamaica would just be unbelievable, it would be the best thing that could happen.”

After Midnight is a dancehall jam inspired by the Canadian club scene which Jimmy Magnum frequents. Based on his observation, the ladies step up their game once it hits 12 am.

Born in Ontario, Jimmy Magnum has native Canadian heritage. He was introduced to the sounds of Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, Yellowman and Brigadier Jerry by the weekly dances his sister’s Jamaican husband staged at their home.

In 2008, he kicked off his recording career and has since released many singles and one album. I Am is the name of that set, which came out in 2023.

Canada has not produced a lot of dancehall deejays. The best known is Snow, who had a big hit in Jamaica in 1995 with Anything For You.

– Howard Campbell