Concerns for Jamaican Reggae Artists as Non-Jamaican Acts Dominate US iTunes Chart

- Justin Black, Staff Reporter

According to the Caribbean music metrics monitor Certifiedstreams, there is a "worrying trend" for Jamaican reggae artists on the United States Reggae iTunes Top 100 chart, which has been monitored for 75 days into 2023.

Out of the 12 charted songs released this year, only 3 are by Jamaican artists. Non-Jamaican artists from the US West Coast and other Caribbean countries such as Bermuda, Bahamas and Trinidad are dominating the chart.

This trend indicates that Jamaican reggae artists will struggle to maintain their presence in the US market due to increased competition from regional acts and non-Jamaicans in the coming year. 

The lack of new releases from Jamaican artists also raises questions about their ability to promote their music effectively to the US market.

Lloyd Laing, Data Analyst at Certifiedstreams, stated that this trend is diluting the Jamaican cultural influence on Reggae music in the mainstream.

"The current state of the US Reggae iTunes Top 100 chart highlights the need for Jamaican reggae artists to adapt to the changing demands of the music industry. Failure to do so could result in a decline in their visibility and influence in the global music scene." Laing quipped in a short telephone call to kingston.

To remain relevant and competitive, Laing suggests that Jamaican reggae artists must revamp their marketing strategies and build relationships with industry influencers. 

They must also be open to collaborations with non-Jamaican artists and incorporate contemporary styles and trends into their music while staying true to their roots.

As the music industry evolves, Jamaican reggae artists must be prepared to embrace change and stay ahead of the curve to maintain their position as pioneers in the industry and uphold the legacy of reggae music, which has been a significant contributor to the global music scene and has had a profound impact on various genres of music.