KINGSTON, Jamaica – As Reggae Month unfolds, industry leaders are raising concerns about Jamaica’s ability to capitalize on the global digital boom in music and culture. Despite reggae’s enduring influence, the country’s creative economy remains underdeveloped compared to international markets profiting from the genre’s expansion.
With streaming platforms, AI-driven music production, and virtual reality concerts redefining entertainment, some experts argue that Jamaica is not adapting quickly enough to protect its cultural legacy in the digital space.
“Reggae’s global footprint is undeniable, but who really owns it in the digital era?” asked entertainment analyst Donovan Reid. “The real question is whether Jamaica is still leading the genre or just watching from the sidelines as international players commercialize what started here.”
While artists like Bob Marley, Burning Spear, and Jimmy Cliff remain cultural icons, new-generation musicians struggle to break into major global markets despite technological advancements that should, in theory, make music distribution easier. Many blame inadequate investment in infrastructure, lack of digital marketing expertise, and outdated copyright laws that fail to protect local creatives from exploitation.
Recent reports indicate that while streaming revenue for reggae has grown significantly worldwide, much of that wealth is controlled by foreign record labels and publishing companies rather than Jamaican stakeholders. The challenge now, experts say, is ensuring that Jamaica reaps the financial benefits of its most famous export.
Music producer and rights advocate Simone Williams believes the country must act swiftly. “We need a national strategy to secure Jamaican creatives’ intellectual property rights. There’s no excuse for artists still signing bad deals or losing streaming revenue to middlemen when blockchain technology and AI could be used to ensure fair compensation,” she argued.
Jamaica’s music industry, she noted, could also benefit from a stronger presence in the metaverse and Web3 economy, where virtual concerts, NFTs, and digital merchandising are creating billion-dollar opportunities for artists worldwide.
“It’s time to modernize our approach. Reggae doesn’t just belong to the past—it should be shaping the future,” Williams insisted.
As Reggae Month continues, discussions about preserving the genre’s authenticity while monetizing its digital potential will remain a hot topic. Whether Jamaica can turn its cultural dominance into economic power in the digital age remains an open question.
