Dear Artists, Musicians, Producers, DJs, and Supporters of Reggae and Dancehall Culture in Canada,
In 2024, I stood on Eglinton Avenue West and saw thousands of people lining the street to watch Tarrus Riley and others perform. Each year, Jerk Fest draws massive crowds—not only for the food but for the artists on stage. And just recently, the Bounty Killer show pulled thousands of eager fans. What I took from these moments is clear proof: there are many people in Canada who love reggae and dancehall music, and they are willing to support it.
Yes, those shows feature international stars, which helps explain the massive crowds. But it leads me to ask—why can’t we, the artists who live and create music in Canada, attract even a fraction of that support for our own music and shows? Artists in Japan, the UK, Fiji, Hawaii, and across Europe etc are doing it. So why can’t we?
Too often we point fingers at commercial radio or other external forces, but I believe part of the problem lies within us—the artists and the community. Other regions faced the same challenges, but they overcame them by building strong underground networks. Once those networks flourished, mainstream outlets had no choice but to pay attention. They saw organization, unity, and growth—which translated into money and opportunity.
Here in Canada, when people look at reggae and dancehall, too often they see division. There is no united force, no strong culture of mutual support. And the truth is, we cannot ask the public to support us if we ourselves do not show support for one another.
Every artist, no matter how big or small, has a fan base. Part of the solution is to find a way to bring those fan bases together—to create a movement. Time and again when I speak to artists, I hear the same concern: “there is no unity.” We know the problem. The question now is: what’s stopping us from building the solution?
I remember the 1980s when I toured Canada. Back then, Canadian reggae and dancehall had strong fan support. Live shows flourished, and no matter which artist came from Jamaica, the local artists still had their home crowd behind them. That is the spirit we must reignite. We must support each other and stop allowing division to hold back the music’s growth while others profit from our disunity.
The Reggae North Music Awards (RNMA) can be a part of the new beginning. The RNMA may carry the name “Reggae North,” but it is not just a Reggae North event. It is not a Tony Anthony event. It is a Canadian reggae and dancehall event. I may be the head of the organization, but I am also an artist who has felt the disappointments and setbacks we all faced and still facing. The Reggae North Music Awards was born from a desire to stop complaining, stop waiting on others, and start creating solutions.
Last year we saw how easily reggae could be dismissed in this country. In September 2024, the JUNO Awards announced that they were removing the Reggae category after nearly 40 years. They were ready to erase our presence. It was only the protest from our community that forced them to reverse their decision. That moment proved something powerful—our music is loved, and when we come together, we can make an impact. It also reminded me why it is so important for us to build and celebrate our own platforms. As the saying goes: Mama has, Papa has, God bless the child that has his own.
On Sunday, September 28, 2025, we have that opportunity at the Rose Theatre in Brampton. With over 50 nominees and hundreds of other singers, songwriters, musicians, DJs, producers, and supporters of the culture, there should be no reason we cannot fill that theatre. Each of us says we have fans—now is the time to prove it. Mobilize your supporters, your friends, your families, and bring them out to celebrate with us.
This can be the first step toward real change. This can be the spark that attracts some of the thousands who already flock to see reggae and dancehall acts in Canada. Let’s show everyone that at least once per year, we can assemble as one and celebrate our music together.
Look around the world—the MOBO Awards in the UK, the Caribbean Music Awards in New York, and the IRAWMA (International Reggae and World Music Awards), which began in Chicago in 1982 and now thrives in Florida. Each of these platforms began with the decision to unite, and now they attract international attention. Canada can and should do the same.
Transparency is a cornerstone of the RNMA. That is why all categories involving audio recordings (Reggae Song of the Year, Dancehall Song of the Year, Trap/Fusion Song of the Year, Album of the Year) are judged by internationally respected producers, DJs, songwriters, and musicians outside of Canada. This ensures fairness, avoids bias, and provides valuable feedback on how our music is viewed globally. The remaining categories are judged here in Canada by those who know the artists and their work best. We are committed to rotating judges each year to maintain fairness and credibility.
With less than three weeks to the RNMA, let us think about the music and the future we want for it. Let us consider what we can do—not just for ourselves, but for the next generation of Canadian reggae and dancehall artists. The world is watching. Potential sponsors are watching. The next chapter of our music depends on us.
So, I call on you—singers, songwriters, musicians, DJs, selectors, producers, and all supporters of the culture: mobilize your fans, your families, your friends. Invite them to the Rose Theatre on September 28 to support and celebrate Canadian reggae and dancehall.
Together, let’s show Canada and the world what we are capable of. Together, let’s write a new chapter for our music.
One Love,
Tony Anthony
President, Reggae North Cultural Association