Music Voyager: Jamaica: Beyond Bob Marley

"Music Voyager" travels to Jamaica, one of the world's greatest music destinations. Our host goes beyond the tourist resorts and beaches to explore the past, present and future of Jamaica's vibrant music.

Ask the average person what they know about Jamaican music and the first thing they will think of is Bob Marley. While the legacy of Marley is alive and well, in this episode, Jacob Edgar visits with some of today's most popular reggae artists who are keeping roots reggae going strong.

Edgar's travels to St. Thomas, a small city east of Kingston, to visit with Tarrus Riley, one of the hottest young reggae singers. After a walk through a local market, Tarrus takes Edgar down bumpy back roads for an unplugged performance next to the one-room shack by the sea that he lived in for seven years. After catching Tarrus at his star-studded record release party and a blazing show at Jamaica's biggest music festival, Sumfest, Edgar journeys to the hills outside of Kingston for a visit with reggae star Richie Spice. They explore Richie Spice's family farm and discuss the social role of reggae, what it means to be a Rastafarian and the joys of raising bunny rabbits.

The episode ends with a visit with Etana, a young singer who blends reggae and neo-soul who has become hugely popular in Jamaica. Edgar and Etana discuss the struggles of women to make their voices heard in the Jamaican music industry, and Etana and her band treat the viewer to a stunning acoustic performance on the picturesque Goldeneye beach.