At the time Colin “Iley Dread” Levy started Kings Of Kings Productions in Montreal in 1995, Canada had no record company promoting reggae on the scale of VP Records in the United States or Greensleeves in the United Kingdom.

Iley Dread, who is from St James, will be in Jamaica to celebrate his birthday on December 16, with an event at Louise Bennett Garden Theatre in Kingston. It will also mark his company’s 31st anniversary and the release of Upliftment, the singer-producer’s sixth album.

He is proud of Kings Of Kings Productions’ achievements.

“It has surpassed expectations. It is the biggest reggae label in Canada, no one else comes close,” Iley Dread said.

Kings Of Kings Productions released many albums and songs by major acts during the 1990s and early 2000s. Norris Man, Anthony B, Sizzla, Turbulence and Yami Bolo are some of the artistes who recorded for the label.

Persistence by Norris Man is among Kings Of Kings Production’s biggest songs. Speak The Truth by Turbulence and Anthony B’s Remember Me, are other popular singles from the Iley Dread camp.

Upliftment is the singer/producer’s first album since Joyful Noise in 2024. Its compact disc edition will have 19 songs, while the vinyl format has 12 tracks.

“This album has been in the making for nine years, and I think it’s my strongest album. For the first time, I’m not distracted by anything or anyone,” said Iley Dread.

Several songs from Upliftment have been released, including Love Me Forever, a collaboration with Marcia Griffiths; Many Rivers (with Jah Mason) and Nah Cheat.

Contributing to the album’s production are Dean Fraser, Osborne “Ifield” Joseph, longtime collaborator Eddie Bullen and Stephen Marley. Iley Dread said the Grammy-winning Marley, who he has known for many years, acted in a technical capacity for Upliftment.

— Howard Campbell