By Madelyn Herrera

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Dec. 22, 2025: When Lylo Gold released her debut album ‘Lylo Land,’ she entered the industry at a moment when Black and Caribbean artists were still being boxed into genres that often reflect race more than sound. The London-based artist, who has Jamaican and African roots, is using the project to challenge how her music is categorized and heard.

Caribbean roots artist Lylo Gold

Breaking Genre Boundaries

As an artist with a Caribbean background, she feels like her music is at risk of being put into a box where she can only delve into one sound. She doesn’t want to be defined by one label or genre just because of her roots.

When I asked her if her sound was influenced by her background, she answered: “Whether or not it’s R&B or it’s reggae or it’s hip-hop, it doesn’t really matter because the essence and the spirit of the music is you.”

“Wherever I am, my Black heritage, my African heritage, my Caribbean heritage and all the people that came before me will always exist in everything I do. From the way that I sing, to the way that I write, to the way that I look at the world,” Gold added.

Black music has evolved in hundreds of ways over centuries. It has always been about blending, bending, and reinventing sound to reflect lived experience and history. From ska and lover’s rock to soul, funk and hip-hop, Caribbean and African diasporic artists have shaped nearly every major genre of modern music.

Gold refuses to accept a label assigned to her because she is Black. Her stance is part of a much longer story in which Black artists have pushed modern music forward in countless ways.

“It’s weird that you need to know when the artist is Black instead of simply acknowledging that the music is Black,” she says. “I think that’s the issue I have with the way African Caribbean music is portrayed.”

For Gold, the problem lies in how Black and African Caribbean music is often pigeonholed into being Afrobeat or reggae, when in truth, all of it belongs to a broader Black musical heritage.

When I asked her why she thinks this is an issue in the music industry, her response was clear: “The categorization of our music is really lazy.”

The mislabeling of Black artists might seem minor in the grand scheme, but that is exactly the problem. Lylo explains, “It’s just a way of limiting the culture to whatever people are comfortable with. And people are comfortable with Black artists making R&B.”

Questions around categorization resurfaced publicly following Beyoncé’s historic wins for Cowboy Carter in 2025. Shortly afterward, the Recording Academy announced changes to its country album categories, introducing distinctions such as Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album. While the Academy did not explicitly link the decision to Beyoncé’s success, the timing sparked widespread debate within the industry about who is allowed to occupy certain genres and how boundaries are enforced.

Reflecting on that moment, Gold points to a familiar pattern. She notes that when Black artists reach levels of commercial or critical success traditionally dominated by white artists, the standards often shift. “Every time Black people enter that realm,” she says, “it feels like the goalpost moves.”

Lylo’s perspective is informed by years of academic study and deep engagement with music history. During her university years, where she specialized in music, she began to recognize how deeply Caribbean and African cultures are embedded across global genres. From Korean pop and Japanese pop to reggaeton and hip-hop, many contemporary sounds trace their roots back to Jamaican and African musical traditions.

She points to artists like Jimi Hendrix and Big Mama Thornton who have shaped rock and roll. Because music has blended so much today with genres like trap and soul mixing freely, Gold believes that categorizing music is no longer as important as it once was.

Lylo Land And Her Legacy

Lylo Gold is not just critiquing the past and present, she’s creating with her own voice. Her latest release Lylo Land tells a story of heartbreak, healing and self-love. The songs on this album are a blend of influences from across genres, tied together by a distinctive story and theme.

“I was obsessed with how the songs flow and tell a story. It’s about acceptance, growth, and choosing to love again,” she says.

Her music also carries a sense of spirituality, as she believes we are all touched by music in some way. “Everything matters,” she says. “Sometimes I write songs I think are cringe, but I trust that authenticity and vulnerability, because it touches people.”

Her song ‘With You’ celebrates choosing someone and choosing love, which feels refreshing in a landscape where many artists focus on toxic relationships. “It’s so nice to delve into the idea of love. And I think Black girls need to delve into it. So much of our music is toxic love,” she says.

Beyond romantic love, Gold also turns inward. In her song ‘Found Love,’ she explores self-love, a message she hopes resonates with all women, but especially with Black women, as a Black woman herself.

She says, “I am allowed to be a person like everybody else instead of it always being, ‘she’s a strong Black woman.’

I am strong when I need to be strong and I am also lovable when I need to be lovable and soft and emotional and all these other things. Why are we only allowed to have three characteristics?”

Gold allows her fans to feel and resonate with her music however they want. She says, “My job as an artist isn’t to police or decide what people should feel.”

That sense of freedom is at the heart of everything she is creating. She is not just redefining Caribbean sound, she is expanding it, pushing it forward and refusing to let the industry decide where she belongs.

Future Projects

Now that her album Lylo Land is out, she is focused on her next big project beyond the music scene. She is also involved with Hype and Genius, a social enterprise focused on providing resources for emerging creators.

The organization runs programs and music camps and after securing new funding, it plans to invest one hundred thousand pounds into sixty UK artists over the next two years. The aim is to offer paid opportunities, community employment and industry-led masterclasses for artists who often lack access to these spaces.

And when asked about her future in music, Gold says, “I want to make a reggae project. I want to make R&B projects. I want to continue to write all of the things that I do, because all of those exist within who I am. And I just think there is no limit.”

As she moves into this next phase, her focus remains on exploring the full range of her sound and the cultural influences that shape it. Where that leads her is still unfolding, but she is clear on one thing: the music she wants to make will not be confined to the categories the industry has relied on for decades.

Check out her music HERE

By NAN ET EDITOR

News Americas, NY, NY, Sun. Dec. 14, 2025: Some of the Caribbean’s biggest music stars brought fire, soul and unity to Long Island, NY on Friday night, Dec. 12, 2025, as the Jamaica Strong benefit concert transformed UBS Arena into a powerful show of solidarity for hurricane relief efforts.

Shaggy performs during the 2025 Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert at UBS Arena on December 12, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Udo Salters Photography/Getty Images)

The four-hour fundraising event united reggae, dancehall and soca royalty to support communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to hit Jamaica in recorded history. Proceeds from ticket sales and in-arena donations went directly to the Jamaica Official Hurricane Relief & Recovery Fund, with fans around the world also tuning in via YouTube and Amazon livestreams.

Sean Paul performs during the 2025 Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert at UBS Arena on December 12, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Udo Salters Photography/Getty Images)

Grammy-winning hitmakers Shaggy and Sean Paul delivered crowd-pleasing, career-spanning medleys, reminding audiences why they remain global ambassadors for Jamaican music. New-generation dancehall standout Teejay had the arena swaying to his breakout hit “Drift,” while reggae legends Marcia Griffiths and Gramps Morgan grounded the night with timeless soul and message-driven performances. Dancehall star I-Octane took things a step further, leaping into the crowd to connect directly with fans.

Kes performs during the 2025 Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert at UBS Arena on December 12, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Udo Salters Photography/Getty Images)

As concertgoers filled the arena – which has hosted a string of Caribbean-led, million-dollar-grossing shows in 2025 – the atmosphere reflected more than entertainment. It was a collective act of rebuilding, resilience and regional pride, underscoring the Caribbean’s deep sense of unity in times of crisis.

T.O.K. performs during the 2025 Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert at UBS Arena on December 12, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Udo Salters Photography/Getty Images)

First announced on Nov. 12, Jamaica Strong featured an expansive lineup including Chronic Law, T.O.K, Tessanne Chin, Aidonia, Inner Circle, Ky-Mani Marley, Yaksta, Richie Stephens, Mikey Spice, Abby Dallas, Kevin Downswell, Maxi Priest, DeMarco and more. Popular radio personalities DJ Roy, DJ Norie, Dubbmaster Chris and Dahved Levy shared hosting duties throughout the night.

Marcia Griffiths performs during the 2025 Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert at UBS Arena on December 12, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Udo Salters Photography/Getty Images)

The emotional weight of the event was amplified by the context. On Oct. 28th, nearly 40 years after Hurricane Gilbert, Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica with unprecedented force, leaving at least 45 people dead and entire communities displaced. The devastation galvanized artists to act quickly, using their platforms to rally support at home and across the diaspora.

Among the night’s most powerful moments was a moving in-memoriam tribute honoring recently departed Caribbean cultural icons, set to Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers to Cross.” The show closed with every performer returning to the stage to sing “Jamaica, Land We Love,” a stirring finale that captured the spirit of national pride and collective healing.

The concert also served as a prelude to a second relief event, Nice Up Jamaica, led by Yellowman and Johnny Osbourne, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16th.

From high-energy dancehall to roots reggae reverence, Jamaica Strong NYC, proved that when Jamaica hurts, its music -and its people – rise together.

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Dec. 10, 2025: Trinidad and Tobago’s globally acclaimed Kes the Band will kick off 2026 on one of the world’s most prestigious stages, headlining Jazz at Lincoln Center’s highly anticipated Unity Jazz Festival on January 8-9, 2026. The group, led by frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, will bring their signature “Creole Soul” sound – infused with soca, calypso, reggae, and contemporary Caribbean rhythms – to the Rose Theater in Manhattan for an unforgettable celebration of music and culture.

FLASHBACK – Kes the Band frontman Kees Dieffenthaller performs energetically on stage in a white suit, bringing Caribbean “Creole Soul” vibes to a live audience. The performance highlights the dynamic stage presence that Kes will bring to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Unity Jazz Festival on January 8–9, 2026. (Credit: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

The two-night festival marks a major moment for Caribbean representation in international jazz programming, pairing Kes with award-winning Trinidadian trumpeter Etienne Charles, who will join the band for a set that blends jazz improvisation with island energy.

Billed as “winter’s hottest jazz festival,” the Unity Jazz Festival transforms every performance space inside Jazz at Lincoln Center into a multi-stage musical journey. Audiences can choose between exclusive access to the Kes and Friends concerts or explore dozens of performances throughout the halls featuring rising stars, jazz veterans, and global innovators.

Kes & Friends: A Caribbean Explosion At Lincoln Center

Kes will headline two shows:

Thursday, Jan. 8 – Rose Theater

Friday, Jan. 9 – Appel Room

Both concerts are included in the All-Access Pass, which guarantees assigned seating for the Kes performance while providing full access to all festival activity on the selected night.

For Kes, known internationally for hits like “Hello,” “Savannah Grass,” and “Mental Day,” the Lincoln Center appearance represents a fusion of Caribbean soul with the improvisational essence of jazz—a meeting point of cultures and genres in one of the world’s greatest performing arts venues.

Trumpeter Etienne Charles, celebrated for weaving Caribbean folk traditions into contemporary jazz, will join the band for collaborative performances that highlight the region’s vibrant musical heritage.

A Festival That Celebrates The Full Spectrum of Jazz

Beyond the headline show, the Unity Jazz Festival showcases over a dozen artists and ensembles that reflect the evolving landscape of jazz. The Nightly Festival Pass gives attendees access to all festival events – except the Kes concerts, offering a rich lineup featuring:

Tributes to Latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri

Cellist and composer Tomeka Reid

Jazz-funk visionary DJ Logic

Blues and guitar rising star Solomon Hicks

Saxophonist Erena Terakubo

Pianist and composer Gabriel Chakarji

Percussionist and composer Rajna Swaminathan

Kate Kortum, winner of the 2025 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

The festival will also present the Jazz Legacies Fellowship Honors All-Star Concert, featuring over 15 master musicians including George Coleman, Amina Claudine Myers, Akua Dixon, Herlin Riley, and Billy Hart.

With performances unfolding simultaneously across Rose Theater, the Appel Room, and various smaller spaces, Jazz at Lincoln Center promises an immersive experience where audiences can wander, discover new sounds, and engage with jazz in its most expansive, creative form.

A Major Moment For Caribbean Music Globally

For the Caribbean diaspora, the Kes + Etienne Charles collaboration at the Unity Jazz Festival is a milestone – a rare opportunity to see the region’s musical identity spotlighted at one of New York City’s most iconic cultural institutions.

The event underscores Jazz at Lincoln Center’s commitment to showcasing global influences within the jazz tradition, while amplifying Caribbean artistry on a world stage.

Tickets & Access

Festival passes are now available HERE

A Weekend of Music, Movement, and Meaning

From Creole rhythms to improvisational brilliance, the 2026 Unity Jazz Festival promises an exhilarating convergence of cultures—inviting audiences to “find their rhythm” and celebrate the unifying power of music.

By ET Editor

News Americas, New York, Fri. Dec. 5, 2025: It’s another big weekend for Caribbean music lovers as dancehall, reggae-rock, chutney soca, dub and afro-fusion artists roll out a wave of brand-new releases. Here are the new Caribbean music this weekend. From Notnice’s festive Christmas project to Mr Eazi’s dancehall mixtape teaser, GI’s 2026 soca fire, Gaudi’s genre-bending dub album, Orange Sky’s conscious anthem, and Pablo YG’s international collaboration.

Notnice Drops “Merry Christmas From Yaad” With Jah Vinci, D’Yani & More

Dancehall hitmaker Notnice serves up early holiday cheer with Merry Christmas from Yaad, a collaborative project featuring Jah Vinci, D’Yani and a lineup of rising voices. The producer, known for shaping modern dancehall’s emotional and melodic sound, brings a festive twist to the genre with smooth hooks, holiday-themed storytelling, and classic Jamaican rhythms.

Stream here: https://onerpm.link/MerryChristmasfromYaad

Mr Eazi Returns With Dancehall-Infused “Dance Pon Me”

Afrobeats star Mr Eazi leans deeper into the Caribbean on Dance Pon Me, the latest drop from his forthcoming dancehall-inspired mixtape with Mixpak Records.

Following his Popcaan-assisted smash “Sekkle & Bop,” Eazi teams up again with top-tier producers Dre Skull (Vybz Kartel, Burna Boy) and Cadenza (Jorja Smith, Beyoncé) for a breezy dembow-driven anthem. The result? A hypnotic, body-moving track that celebrates whining, diaspora joy, and dance-floor ease.

Stream: https://zaga.lnk.to/DancePonMe

Tanto Metro & Devonte Link With Yellostone For “Model Up”

Dancehall veterans Tanto Metro & Devonte return with “Model Up,” featuring Yellostone. The uptempo single channels the duo’s signature flirtatious energy and showcases how effortlessly they continue to bridge classic 90s dancehall charisma with today’s digital sound.

Stream: https://lnkfi.re/Tanto_Metro_x_Devonte-Model_Up_ft_Yellostone

GI Lights Up 2026 Chutney Soca Season With “My One Only (Fire Water)”

Trinidad’s multi-hyphenate artist GI returns just in time for early Carnival season with My One Only (Fire Water) — a warm, melodic 2026 chutney soca release crafted by a powerhouse production team. Recorded across Oneness Studios, BassLab, and Badjohn Republic, the track blends smooth vocals with irresistible rhythmic energy.

Stream: https://lnkfi.re/GI-My_One_Only

Gaudi Unveils “Jazz Gone Dub” – A Masterclass In Fusion

For dub and jazz enthusiasts, UK-based producer Gaudi delivers Jazz Gone Dub, a stunning four-year project bridging heavy dub atmospherics and improvisational jazz. Featuring legends like Sly & Robbie, Ernest Ranglin, Jah Wobble, David Hinds and more, the album stands as one of the year’s most ambitious Caribbean-influenced experimental works.

Stream: https://vpalmusic.ffm.to/jazzgonedub

Jahman & Amieyre Team Up On Smooth Caribbean R&B-Dancehall Blend “See Mi”

Virgin Islands artist Jahman teams up with singer Amieyre for “See Mi,” a polished, melodic fusion produced by Masai Harris under Splatter House Records. The track flows with a sensual groove, driven by island-infused R&B and clean vocal chemistry.

Stream: https://lnkfi.re/jahman-see_mi-feat_amieyre

Orange Sky’s Nigel Rojas Drops Afrobeat-Infused Conscious Single “Too Many”

Trinidad’s reggae-rock legend Nigel Rojas returns with an emotionally charged solo release, “Too Many.” Inspired by a moment of contrast between nature and global violence, the song blends Afrobeat rhythms with Rojas’ signature roots-rock storytelling. The track arrives ahead of Orange Sky’s 30th anniversary EP, coming April 2026.

Stream: https://allmylinks.com/orangesky

Pablo YG Links With Netflix’s “Supacell” Star UglyAndz For “Tek A Shot”

Dancehall rising star Pablo YG partners with London rapper and actor UglyAndz for “Tek A Shot,” a melodic dancehall track produced by YGF and Phantom Beatz. Recorded during Pablo’s first UK tour, the single highlights his global momentum – from Reggae Sumfest to viral international freestyle performances.

Stream: https://pabloyg.lnk.to/TekAShotSingle

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