Dancehall artiste Razor B has reignited a long-standing conversation about the challenges facing reggae and dancehall artists in Canada through his viral social media campaign, “Canada Mek Wi Talk.”
Over the past several weeks, the Jamaican-born entertainer—who built the foundation of his career in Canada before earning success in Jamaica—has been using Instagram to encourage artists to share their experiences and confront the barriers preventing Canadian reggae and dancehall talent from reaching its full potential.
In a series of candid videos, Razor B criticized influential figures within the industry, including promoters, selectors, sound systems and radio DJs, for overlooking artists based in Canada while consistently prioritizing performers from Jamaica.
“Mi see whole heap a great artist in Toronto, that are not being recognised for the great things they are doing in Canada. Promoters need to book the artists dem and pay the artists dem and show that real talent deh yah. Because half of dem is way better than some a dem a Jamaica wey a come up yah a perform… Toronto have talent but selectors a try hide dem glory,” Razor B said in one of his widely shared videos.
His outspoken message has resonated across social media, prompting artists, producers and fans to weigh in with their own perspectives. While the issue of recognition for Canadian reggae and dancehall talent has been discussed for years, many believe Razor B’s campaign has given the conversation renewed urgency and wider public engagement.
The momentum created by “Canada Mek Wi Talk” has already expanded beyond Instagram. Inspired by Razor B’s movement, Reggae North Radio stated to use one hour on the Canadian-content program Solutions, adopting the campaign’s moniker as the foundation for an ongoing industry discussion.
Razor B appeared as the inaugural guest, where the conversation shifted from identifying problems to exploring practical solutions. Among the key themes was the shared responsibility of both industry stakeholders and artists themselves.
Radio host and reggae artist Tony Anthony emphasized that collaboration is essential for sustainable growth.
“The talent is here. The music coming out of Canada for the past few years is as good as those coming out of Jamaica and elsewhere. Artists must find a way to work together and create an ecosystem that will be hard to ignore,” Anthony said during the broadcast.
Razor B echoed that sentiment, stressing that unity—not division—is the only path forward for the genre’s continued development in Canada.
“Mi drop a video and mi a sey Canada music fraternity mek wi unite and a handful a people reach out and say unity is necessary. So, the other rest who are not willing to unite, we hear unuh loud and clear. The music nuh stop at your foot—it will continue to move. Anybody can buss once you believe in yourself. Unity is always necessary.”
The Solutions series aims to feature guests from every sector of Canada’s reggae and dancehall community, creating an open forum to address issues surrounding exposure, support, networking and artist development. Organizers hope the discussions will ultimately help build stronger pathways for Canadian talent to thrive both locally and internationally.
This week’s episode will feature radio personality Spex Da Boss, who will discuss the launch of Reggae Month starting in 2027and the current state of reggae and dancehall culture in Canada.
Solutions air every Monday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (EST) on ReggaeNorthRadio.com, Canada’s 24-hour online reggae and dancehall station and simulcast on stations in the UK, Florida, North Carolina, Atlanta, New Jersey and Jamaica.
Fans who missed Razor B’s original campaign can watch the “Canada Mek Wi Talk” videos on Instagram via @therealrazorb.