One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2020: Day Two

Day Two One Love Cali Reggae Festival 2020 started out bright and sunny — a perfect morning to return to the Queen Mary Events Park! Sunbeams bouncing off the bay, One Lovers lined the stage for The Expanders, followed by Through The Roots and Arise Roots. Lots of roots. Iya Terra’s prime stage presence mesmerized […]

Roots of Mine chats at One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2020

The amazing SoCal natives band, Roots of Mine, made their One Love Cali Reggae Fest debut this year on the Tiki Stage on Saturday, February 8th. On the heels of their new single (and subsequent video) “Anna” and a sick cover of Bad Religion’s “I Want To Conquer The World”, Roots of Mine had earned […]

The Original Wailers bring Bob Marley to Florida’s Jannus Live

On February 21st, Florida fans packed in for a great night of reggae music. As a cold front pushed down on St. Petersburg, making it a freezing Florida night for the locals with temperatures in the low 50s, nothing was going to stop these fans and amazing musicians from having an absolutely awesome night at […]

Steel Pulse at Santa Maria’s Presqu’ile Winery

On February 8th, Santa Maria was blessed to host reggae legends Steel Pulse and local favorites Resination at Presqu’ile Winery. Resination is a five-piece reggae band consisting of Vance Fahie (lead singer), Thomas Cuffe (keyboardist), Timmy Cordero (drummer), Patrick Pearson (lead guitarist) and Michael Jimenez (bassist). They started off the evening, with their authentic and […]

Experiencing Boomshaka 2020

On January 18th, the Boomshaka Music Festival returned to the iconic Pechanga Arena in San Diego after taking a one-year hiatus. The festival was headlined by Iration this time around and hosted by reggae’s sweetheart, Miss HIRIE. Other acts on the bill were Cypress Hill, The Green, Don Carlos, The Movement, KBong, Sensi Trails, while […]

Julian Marley interviews days ahead of 62nd GRAMMYs

GRAMMY-nominated reggae legend Julian Marley sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose, days ahead of the 62nd GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Up for ‘Best Reggae Album’ for his fourth full-length album As I Am, Julian Marley shares his feelings on his first nomination from the Academy, what’s to come for 2020, how […]

Iya Terra’s Nick Sefakis debuts ‘Foundation’ solo album

Excellent news from Nick Sefakis, roots-reggae musician of the sizzling band, Iya Terra. Known for his superb guitar skills and fabulous vocals, Sefakis is excited to announce the release of his very own, self-produced full-length album he’s been working on for the last two years! At first listen, Sefakis’ musical talent shines through on Foundation, […]

TSM #HotList: Holiday 2019 Edition

Host Alexia Johnson has the hottest new music finds in this holiday edition of Top Shelf Music’s Artist #HotList! In this late December installment, Alexia lets you check out the latest jams by Ocean Beach band No Kings, roots reggae family band The Lambsbread and two amazing collabs: Tropidelic teaming up with Flobots’ Jonny 5 […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Jah Sun “Tomorrow”

Having a west coast reggae name collab with one of Jamaica’s finest is always a dream. Case in point, reggae rocker Jah Sun with producer Jallanzo out of JA! With the world premiere of Jah Sun’s “Tomorrow” track today, out on all digitals outlets this Friday, November 15th, reggae fans get a taste of the […]

‘World A Reggae Riddim 2019’ album review

With combinations of sweet harmonies and rhythmic grooves, reggae is music that, generally speaking, contains socially conscious messages and music set to distinctive Caribbean back beats. Although reggae has become synonymous with laidback and chill vibes, it is just as often thoroughly spiritual and passionately political. From the angelic rhythms of 1970s roots reggae to […]

Reggae on the Mountain 2019: Day One

It’s official! Reggae on the Mountain was a huge success this year. This also marked the 10th Anniversary for this steadily growing festival, which is why the festival was moved this year from Topanga Canyon to the fabulous King Gilette Ranch, one of the most stunning Los Angeles locations in the Santa Monica Mountains. The 588-acre King Gillette […]

Lutan Fyah’s ‘Longest Livah’ album review

Born in Spanish Town, Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica, Lutan Fyah started his musical career in 1999, recording his first songs for Buju Banton’s Gargamel Records. If you’re in need of a refreshing album for your playlist, look no further than Lutan Fyah’s newest and fiercest release yet, Longest Livah. With a healthy serving of progressive […]

An interview with Ishmael I

Ishmael Turner, known as Ishmael I, is an independent reggae artist, writer and producer, currently spreading his Jamaican roots vibes to the American public and beyond. A humanitarian at heart, Ishmael I transcends borders with socially-conscious music in an effort to make the world a better place. I recently had the opportunity to chat with […]

SUNDUB drops ‘Burden of Love’ LP

Brooklyn-based band SUNDUB has officially dropped their debut album! Since formulating their smooth sound in 2013, these east coast reggae soldiers have been committed to spreading the good vibrations embedded in roots and Jamaican ska music to the masses, evident in their inaugural Burden of Love album. Available as of today on all digital outlets, Burden […]

Protoje interviews at California Roots 10

The leader of the reggae revival movement himself, Protoje, sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose following his California Roots 10 performance in Monterey, California. After dropping a single and about to hit the road with Rebelution, Protoje chats what inspires his music, what he’s currently binge-watching and more. For more Protoje or […]