Forty-five years after first emerging from Kitchener, Ontario, pioneering reggae band Messenjah is proving its story is far from over. Today, the group releases “No More,” a powerful new single that pairs its signature reggae sound with a bold message of resilience, self-determination, and cultural pride.
Formed in 1981 by founding members Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey and Errol “Skippah” Blackwood, Messenjah made history as the first Canadian reggae band signed to a major record label. The band’s groundbreaking albums “Rock You High” and Session helped bring reggae into Canada’s mainstream, while the classic track “Jam Session” became one of the country’s defining reggae anthems.
Over the decades, Messenjah has built an extraordinary résumé that includes performances at Jamaica’s legendary Reggae Sunsplash, an appearance in the Hollywood film “Cocktail,” and a memorable performance for Nelson Mandela at Toronto’s SkyDome in 1998—the same year the band earned a Juno Award. Their influence has helped shape the course of Canadian reggae and opened doors for generations of artists that followed.
Their latest release continues that legacy with unmistakable conviction.
“No More shall we settle for less than the highest height, like a lion who trods in the darkest night, with no fear in our hearts cause we know Jah light.”
The song’s chorus delivers an equally uncompromising message:
“No More messing around, No More wearing no frown, No More believe in what they say, No More giving things away.”
Rather than looking back, Messenjah uses “No More” as a declaration of purpose, reaffirming the band’s commitment to truth, empowerment, and reggae’s enduring social voice.
The track also embraces the group’s own legacy, with a bridge that proclaims Messenjah as a “flag bearer,” “truth giver,” and “society teacher”—a confident statement from a band whose impact has been earned through more than four decades of groundbreaking work.
Today’s lineup features founding member Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey, alongside acclaimed guitarist Carl “Carlos Bandana” Harvey of Toots and the Maytals, bassist Charles “Tower” Sinclair, keyboardist Orville “Wyz” Malcolm, and drummer Sammo “The Genius.” The single was written by Harvey and composed with Malcolm and Sinclair, with Malcolm serving as producer and Sinclair as co-producer.
Messenjah’s influence has only grown in recent years. Warner Music Canada’s reissue of the band’s classic catalogue introduced its music to a new generation of listeners, while the group’s celebrated reunion performance at Toronto’s 2014 Bob Marley tribute demonstrated that its creative spark remained as strong as ever.
With “No More,” Messenjah isn’t simply celebrating its past—it’s making a compelling case for its future. Forty-five years after changing the landscape of Canadian reggae, the band remains active, fearless, and firmly in command of its sound.