Danny Dread on the Rise & Fall of Jamaica’s Dancehall and Sound System Golden Era | Full Interview

Join us for an EXCLUSIVE reasoning with Danny Dread, one of Jamaica’s most influential selectors and producers. From his early days in sound system culture to working alongside legends like Daddy U-Roy, Super Cat, Early B, Yellowman, Ranking Joe, Nicodemus, and Gregory Isaacs, Danny shares firsthand stories of reggae’s golden era. He reflects on his experiences with King Tubby, Sugar Minott, and Lee "Scratch" Perry, as well as the challenges of surviving the dangers surrounding the sound system scene. Danny also discusses the evolution of reggae, the influence of Rastafari, the rise of cassette culture, and the future of Jamaican music. 00:02:14 – 04:19 Getting Started in Sound System Culture 04:19 – 07:23 Bob Marley's Song "One Drop" 07:23 – 10:07 Inspired by Big Youth and Tipper Tone Sound System 10:08 – 11:28 Thoughts on Ranking Joe 11:28 – 22:09 Playing King Attorney Sound & Lessons Learned with Daddy U-Roy 22:09 – 31:35 King Majesty Sound, Super Cat, Nicodemus, and Early B 31:41 – 39:41 Sugar Minott and King Tubby 39:41 – 43:49 Surviving the Violence Around Sound Systems 43:49 – 50:04 Volcano Sound, Junjo Lawes & Being Kidnapped in NYC 50:04 – 53:55 Avoiding Drugs in New York 53:55 – 59:54 Working with Lee "Scratch" Perry & Mixing for Super Cat 59:54 – 1:03:08 Steelie's Musical Genius 1:04:23 – 1:08:23 King Addies Dubplates 1:08:23 – 1:14:43 Memories of Gregory Isaacs 1:14:43 – 1:19:04 The Influence of Rastafari 1:22:13 – 1:26:02 The Cassette Culture Era 1:26:02 – 1:35:05 Origins of Juggling & The Future of Reggae 1:35:05 – 1:40:05 Faith & Advice for Young Selectors 1:40:05 – 1:46:25 Greatest Moments at King Addies 1:46:25 – 1:57:26 Buju Banton, Mighty Crown & The Role of Selectors 1:57:26 – 2:01:14 Politicians & The Rise of Gun Violence in Jamaica 2:01:14 – 2:09:56 The Future of Jamaica 🎧 Catch 'I NEVER KNEW RADIO for Roots, Rock, Reggae Music! Hosted by Jr a.k.a 'The Bald Head' of 'I Never Knew TV' 📅 Sundays: 9 - 11 AM EST 📅 Wednesdays: 8 - 10 AM EST 📅 Thursdays: 10 AM - Noon EST Listen live: https://wloy.org/listen/ #dancehall #ineverknewtv