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Oral Histories
First-person accounts from the people who lived dancehall's history — in their own words.
Curated by YardRock TV · Researched by The Reggae Institute
Oral Histories
Oral history is one of the most direct ways to preserve culture — the voices of the artists, selectors, and communities who built dancehall, telling their own stories. This section will house the Museum's oral-history recordings and interview-based research as the collection grows.
This is a growing collection. The Museum is in the process of recording and archiving oral-history interviews; check back as this section expands.
Related artists
Dermot Hussey
Jamaican-born broadcaster and musicologist known as the "Dean of Jamaican Radio," celebrated for decades of reggae journalism — including a landmark 1975 Bob Marley interview — and for bringing reggae programming to satellite radio via SiriusXM's "The Joint."
Chronic Law
A leading 'reality' dancehall deejay known for a gravelly, emotive delivery and lyrics rooted in street philosophy, survival, and social commentary, and for an unusually prolific release schedule.
Jada Kingdom
A dancehall and R&B singer-songwriter known for melodic, emotionally direct music blending Caribbean rhythm with pop and R&B songwriting, and for openly discussing personal trauma and empowerment in her work.
Tifa
Dancehall singer and "Dancehall Diva" best known for the breakout hit "Bottom of the Barrel," and for high-profile brand ambassador roles with BMW, Digicel, and Wisynco.
Bad Gyal Jade
Jamaican dancehall deejay/singjay from Old Harbour, St. Catherine, who broke through with a 2016 collaboration with Vybz Kartel and has described herself as "the female Kartel." Distinct from the unrelated Spanish/Catalan reggaeton artist "Bad Gyal."
Valiant
Dancehall artist who went viral in 2022 with the catchphrase/song "Kotch E Hat" after roughly a decade of recording, quickly becoming one of the most-streamed and most-discussed new-generation dancehall acts and a leading voice in the trap-dancehall/R&B-fusion sound.